How Can I Extend the Life of My Automatic Transmission?

Even though you may not be as actively shifting through gears as you would with a manual transmission, drivers with automatic transmissions need to pay attention to their transmission to ensure its longevity. One rule of thumb, according to Transmasters and A Automotive Services, is to have automatic transmission fluid changed every 15,000 miles or once a year. Here are some other tips to prolong the life of your automatic transmission:

Automatic Transmission Fluid should be changed every 15,000 miles or Once a Year

• Transmission Filter Along with automatic transmission fluid changes, the transmission filter should be changed at the same time if the filter is easily accessible.
• Do you do a lot of Towing or Driving through the Mountains? If so, A Automotive Services suggests having a transmission cooler installed. Towing and mountain driving puts more strain on the transmission, which causes more heat. Installing a transmission cooler can help.
• Take it Easy when the Transmission is Cold It is OK to drive your car without taking more than 30 to 60 seconds to warm it up just be sure to take it easy the first couple of miles. It easily takes 2 to 3 miles to get your transmission up to operating temperature.
• Come to a Complete Stop Before Changing Gears Transmasters suggests coming to a complete stop before shifting to reverse from drive or drive to reverse.

 

Transmission Maintenance tips

Automatic Transmission Maintenance

To help keep your automatic transmission working properly and dependable, we put together a list of maintenance to follow. Even if you already do a great job following recommendations for common car maintenances, you may not be familiar with the recommended maintenance for your automatic transmission. In this article, we will share a few tips on caring for your automatic transmission.

Check Transmission Fluid

Your transmission fluid is a good indication of the overall health of your transmission. Taking time to inspect your transmission fluid is well worth it. Low transmission fluid can lead to serious problems. So, be sure to be aware of leaking or low transmission fluid.

You can check your transmission fluid by removing the dipstick labeled ‘Transmission Fluid’, then reinserting to get an even more accurate reading. Examine the color of the fluid. It should be red or colored, not black. Black is an indication that the transmission fluid is burnt. The consistency should be milky, not muddy.

Transmission Flush

Just like changing transmission fluid is a must. Occasionally getting a professional flush for your transmission fluid is good maintenance too. Over time transmission fluid can build up and get old fluid gunk trapping in your transmission. A professional transmission flush helps to ensure the torque converter and cooler lines are cleaned out from the old fluid.

 

Avoid Heavy Towing

Heavy towing requires factory heavy-duty transmission parts, that includes shocks, springs, and cooling system. Heavy loads put a lot of stress on your vehicle, so if it is not made for heavy towing and can burn up your transmission fast. It is best to avoid heavy towing if your vehicle is not factory-made for heavy towing.

Cooling System Maintenance

The cooling system is vital for the health of your transmission and engine. Its main purpose is to prevent the engine from becoming too hot and to keep your transmission fluid cool. It keeps the transmission fluid at an ideal temperature when the vehicle is moving and shifting gears. To help prevent overheating, it is important to keep up with the maintenance of your cooling system.

Drive with Care

Be careful to not drive recklessly. Give your vehicle a minute or so to warm up before you drive out the parking lot or reverse from your garage. When you are quick to drive it can put unnecessary stress on your automatic transmission and engine.

The same goes for driving with your foot slightly on the brake. A small amount of pressure on your brake can strain your transmission and engine. Another helpful tip to keep your automatic transmission in good health is to bring your vehicle to a complete stop before switching from reverse to drive or from park to drive.

 

Overlooked services that can extend the life of your vehicle

Servicing your vehicle is usually the last thing on your mind. The daily grind of life tends to take all of your focus, so unless it is actively causing an issue, your vehicle’s maintenance schedule is out of sight, out of mind. The problem is that ignoring that schedule will eventually cause a failure, costing you more time and money that necessary. As the old saying goes, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.

While oil changes and tire service are the most common maintenance items, list of the most overlooked services that you should keep in mind the next time you change the oil.

Power steering service

This is one of those overlooked services that rarely comes up in a situation before it is too late. Over time, the fluid in your power steering system picks up dirty and moisture, clogging the steering components, eventually causing a failure. Adding a power steering fluid additive will help maintain your system’s function, as will a periodic flushing of the system.

Wheel alignment

How your wheels are aligned not only effects how the car handles, but also the life of your tires and suspension components. The alignment can fall out of adjustment from several factors, including component wear and potholes. Hitting a curb is a sure-fire way to jar the alignment as well. When the alignment is out, the car may pull to one side or the other, steer erratically, and may even dart across the lanes with just a small move of the wheel, making driving the car a perilous adventure. Not only have that, but even a slight mis-alignment leads to uneven and premature tire worn.  An annual wheel alignment ensures that your wheels are pointed the right way.

Differential service

The differential is the component that transfers input from the transmission to the wheels. Some front wheel drive vehicles incorporate this into the transmission, but some have separate units, and all rear wheel drive vehicles have a rear differential. The rear axles an differential are housed in the rear end housing. Over time, the gear oil breaks down, reducing its viscosity and ability to properly lubricate the differential and wheel bearings. Additionally, the transfer case (for vehicles equipped with one) should be serviced at the same time as the differential. Most manufacturers have a set maintenance schedule for the differential and transfer case fluids.

 

Timing belt replacement

Not all vehicles have timing belts. DO NOT confuse this with the accessory drive belt, which drives all of the engine accessories such as the AC compressor, alternator and water pump. The timing belt connects the crankshaft to the camshaft(s). Some engines have external belts, while others use internal belts. Regardless of how they are accessed, these are incredibly important to the function of the engine. If the engine is what is known as an “interference” engine, a slipping or broken timing belt can not only keep the engine from running, but can destroy the internals of the engine itself as the valves and piston can collide. Each manufacturer has specific maintenance schedules for the timing belt, make sure you check your owner’s manual. If your odometer is showing 50-60,000 miles, you need to get your timing belt checked. This is one of the overlooked services that can really hit your wallet hard if you ignore it.

Transmission service

Leaving your transmission fluid unchecked for 100,000 miles it usually a recipe for disaster, so don’t let it go that long. Follow your manufacturer’s guidelines on transmission filter and fluid change, and be sure to check the fluid level at every oil change. Burnt or dark-colored fluid is a sign of an overheated transmission and continued use without servicing could lead to internal damage.

Checklist for buying a second hand car

Considering modern cars are made to last for a long time, buying a used car can be a very smart decision. However, it can be a rather intimidating experience for both, buyers as well as sellers. This iswhere the following checklist can simplify matters, reduce risk, and convert the transaction into a hassle-free affair.

Buyer’s checklist

Before it comes to the process of buying a second hand car, the challenge is selecting the car you need to buy.

Check the car’s condition

Despite being a used car, the vehicle you are considering should be in good running condition, and must be good value for money. Take the vehicle for a test drive and get all major systems such as engine, cooling, transmission, wheels, etc. checked by a trusted mechanic. These checks will help you ascertain whether the car is as well-maintained as the seller claims. Further, you can plan for unavoidable repairs and maintenance and include the s ..

Registration documents

Is the seller the real owner of the car? Is this the first or the second time it is being resold? The Owner Serial Number in the RC book or smart card indicates the number of times the car has been sold till date. Has the owner paid all dues, including road tax? Ensure the seller provides you with other papers that need to be verified, including the original invoice, NOC from the car loan provider, and road tax receipt.

Potential modifications

Can you convert the car into a dual-fuel automobile? Can you opt for upgradesfor greater comfort, safety, and value? Older vehicles may come cheap but may be impossible to upgrade. A relatively new model is preferable, especially if it comes at an affordable price.

 

things you should never tell a car salesman

Buying a new car ranks among the biggest purchases most people will ever make. The average cost to buy a new automobile is now nearly $34,000, according to Kelley Blue Book. With so much money on the line, it is natural that people get nervous about the deal they are getting.

Many shoppers hate the process of buying a new car. In most cases, shopping requires you to go to a dealership and haggle with a car dealer. Say the wrong thing, and you can give the dealership the upper hand. Then, your new car might come with an unhealthy dose of “buyer’s remorse.”

Car dealers hope you will fall in love with a vehicle. They know that if you really want a car, you will agree to pay more for it. So, never let on about how much you like the car. Instead, pretend you are in a poker game. You do not want the car salesmen to know when you are happy.

Whether the salesman is showing you a Ferrari or a Chevy, your response should always be to point out the car’s problems and flaws. Even if you are dying to buy the vehicle, tell the salesman that you might be willing to take it if you get a great price on it. But if you cannot get a good price, you are happy to keep looking.

If you can make the salesman believe you place a lower value on the car, he will lower the price to a level he perceives is in line with that reduced value. Of course, no dealership will sell you a car if it means losing money on the deal. So don’t hold out for an absurdly low price. That will only communicate that you are not a serious buyer.

 

How to Be a Good Car Salesperson

An Accenture survey of 10,000 car buyers shows the average consumer spends between 13 and 15 hours shopping before writing a check. Considering most SaaS deals valued at ~$25,000 close in an average of 90 days — that’s a fast sales cycle.

Free Download: A Guide to Inbound Selling Best Practices

Car shoppers can easily find True Market Value, competitive sticker prices, and national inventory online. That means consumer choice has become less about which dealership offers the best price and more about which salesperson they like best.

Remember names.

“There is no such thing as a good or bad memory. There is just trained memory and untrained memory.” He argues, “Your ability to remember a new name has to do with your intrinsic understanding of why it matters.”

Ask the right questions.

After you ask their name, your first question will likely be, “What brings you in today?” It’s important to qualify their answer by asking the right follow-up questions. Ask, “Do you know which car you’re interested in?” “What are your must-haves in a car?” and, “Will you be the primary driver of this car?”

Build rapport.

If you notice your prospect crossing their arms, becoming quiet, or shifting uncomfortably, stop selling and focus on rapport. If you continue to push an overwhelmed prospect with questions or selling points, you risk alienating them and losing the sale.

 

Promotional Product Ideas For Car Dealerships

Finding effective promotional Items for auto dealers is no easy task. We curated branded auto accessories for your next giveaway – from custom keychains to ice scrapers, we take a closer look.

Car dealership promotional items are a must for anyone in the car business. They can be used to promote the dealership or even individual sales reps. Throughout the industry, car dealer swag has been used for decades to help retain current customers and lure new clients.

Car dealerships can use promotional products for a number of reasons. First, they can be used to brand the dealership. Getting your name out there is important and people need to remember your name. Once you saturate the market with your logo and slogan, people will think of you first next time it comes to purchasing a vehicle.

Salespeople can also use promotional items to promote themselves. Salespeople don’t always stay at the same dealership so simply branding a dealership doesn’t benefit them in the long run. Giving out swag with a cell phone number will ensure that customers can reach you if you leave and go to another dealership.

It’s All About Your Brand

As stated above, branding is very important when it comes to selling cars. With the car industry, brand image is everything.

 

Essential tips for buying a used car

The private marketplace for used cars can be a minefield, the right tips for buying a used car are invaluable when making a second-hand purchase. For every new car bought in Ireland almost 2.5 second-hand cars are bought. The decision to purchase your used car privately as opposed to from a dealership is undoubtedly worthy of consideration. The complexity of cars themselves, with innumerable sensitive, moving parts, mean that it is not always immediately obvious what to look for when buying a used car. This is especially true when purchasing the used car outside of a trusted dealership

What to ask when buying a used car

Knowing what to ask when buying a used car is key to making an informed purchase. Run these questions past the seller and see what they have to say

Can I see the Logbook?

This is an obvious one. When buying a used car, you will need to see a Logbook. This should always be the first question you ask at a viewing, as the Logbook will quickly prove the legitimacy of ownership.

Has the car ever been in a crash?

After you’ve had a look at the logbook, ask the seller if the car has ever been in an accident. This may catch the seller somewhat off guard, but the nature of their response can be a good indicator of honesty. Establishing the truthfulness of the seller is a great tip when buying a used car.

Is this the original paintwork?

This serves the same purpose as the last question. You are looking to establish the trustworthiness of the seller in advance of our next question.