AUTONET TV

Grinding, Jerking and Slipping

Gone are the early days of driving when people had to manually shift gears in their vehicles.  Now, though, we are spoiled by automatic transmissions that seem like they’ll go forever.  Like everything mechanical, automatic transmissions can develop problems. 

Signs trouble is brewing sometimes starts with small changes in how your vehicle feels, sounds or responds.  Knowing these signs can save you from major repairs.

One to watch out for is shifting that’s rough or delayed. Sometimes your vehicle will hesitate before it changes gears, or there’s a jerk when it shifts.  Maybe it feels like the transmission is slipping out of gear.  These are all signs you should bring it in for one of our technicians to check out.

Another thing to pay attention to is a new noise you don’t ever remember hearing before.  Your shifts should be quiet, but if you hear a clunking, grinding or humming sound during shifts, this could be a sign of low transmission fluid or worn-out parts.  It could also indicate worse things to come.

Use your nose to know if something might be wrong.  If you smell burning, it could be a sign of transmission fluid that is overheating or deteriorating.  Your eyes also might spot leaking fluid around your vehicle, especially if it’s red or pink.  That’s a good time to have us check yours for leaks.

Other signs of transmission issues are an illuminated Check Engine light, hesitation during acceleration or your vehicle not moving at all when it’s in gear. 

Your transmission delivers power from the engine to the wheels, and being aware of small changes in how your vehicle shifts, sounds or feels can be clues  problems are developing.  When you notice them, give us a call and have us check them out before you find yourself up shifts creek without a paddle.

Matt Davis Auto
875 US Highway 70 W
Garner, NC 27529
(919) 600-5125
www.mattdavisauto.com

Why Timing Belt Maintenance Can Save Your Engine

One part of your vehicle you probably never think of is the timing belt.  It coordinates the rotation of the crankshaft (which converts the up and down motion of the pistons into rotation motion) and the camshaft (which opens and closes your engine’s valves). It’s vital that the timing of these movements happens precisely when it needs to so your engine will operate smoothly and perform the way it’s designed to.  It also prevents damage to the engine.
 
If your engine’s timing belt breaks, it can leave you stranded, plus cause costly, catastrophic damage to the engine.  Depending on your vehicle, a failed timing belt can wind up causing a collision between the pistons and the valves, and it’s possible it can destroy the cylinder head.  Repairs can be extremely expensive and, in some cases, your engine might not even be repairable.  And that is why maintaining your timing belt is extremely important.
 
Your vehicle’s manufacturer provides recommendations on when your timing belt should be replaced, often between 60,000-100,000 miles/95,000-160,000 km, or about every 5 to 7 years.  Depending on how you drive and in what conditions (such as extreme temperatures), your engine may need its timing belt checked more frequently.  The longer and harder your belt works, the more likely it will get brittle and crack.  When your vehicle is in for a timing belt replacement, your service manager will frequently recommend replacing other components as well, such as water pumps, pulleys and tensioners.

Regular timing belt maintenance will help you maintain your vehicle’s performance and may allow you to avoid expensive repairs later.  

Matt Davis Auto
875 US Highway 70 W
Garner, NC 27529
(919) 600-5125
www.mattdavisauto.com

Positive and Negative (Battery Care)

You notice when your smartphone's battery starts to go weak on you.  It runs out of juice faster than it did when it was new.  Bet you pay attention to that pretty closely.

Unfortunately, many of us don't pay the same attention to the battery in our vehicles. If your battery got you through the cold-weather months, you might be thinking you're all set until next winter. But you might be surprised to learn this: Hot weather is harder on a battery than cold weather.  (Note: we're talking about a conventional vehicle here, not an all-electric, plug-in one.)

 The way your vehicle's battery holds a charge is that it has chemicals inside it, and they react with each other to produce electricity.  A vehicle battery discharges electricity and then needs to be recharged.  Unlike your smartphone that you plug in each night to charge, the way a vehicle's battery gets recharged is by using the mechanical energy of the engine.  It's a pretty cool system that's been around for a while.  An alternator changes the mechanical energy into electricity that then charges the battery.  And your vehicle is designed to charge it just the right amount with a voltage regulator. If your battery constantly gets too much voltage, it could stop holding a charge. 

Another way a vehicle battery loses its ability to hold a charge is when it gets hot.  In warmer weather, some fluids in your battery evaporate which can damage some of its internal components.  Then, you've got a dead battery.

Back to your smartphone for a second, it probably has a little indicator or maybe an app that shows you how healthy it is or how much charge it's holding.  Well, your service repair facility has equipment that can test your vehicle's battery for the same things.  If that test shows you need a new battery, then it's probably time to replace it.

A technician can also check to see your battery is being charged at the correct rate.  If you have a battery that is not sealed, a technician can check to see it needs more water added to it.  The technician will also make sure dirt or other contaminants aren't acting as electrical conductors and discharging the battery.  Plus, your battery's terminals may need cleaning.

Most people just forget about their vehicle's battery until there's a big problem with it. Here's one rule of thumb: expect a battery's life to be about 5 years. Just like you wouldn't want your smartphone to leave you without any way to make phone calls or send texts, you wouldn't want your vehicle to leave you stranded with no way to start it, would you?   

When it comes time to make that new battery choice, your service advisor can offer you some good options, taking into account the climate you drive in, what you use your vehicle for and what your budget is.  Hey, your smartphone's battery is all charged up.  How about calling your service advisor for an appointment right now?

Gearing Up (Differential Fluid Service)

You may have never thought about it, but when you turn a corner, the wheels on one side of your vehicle turn at a different speed than the other side.  What is this magic? The answer is something called the differential.  

A differential is a gear box placed between the drive wheels and needs lubrication to work.  Over time, that fluid can become contaminated, reducing its effectiveness. You likely won’t be able to detect any signs that it’s happening, though it may get a little noisier over time. 

If you continue to drive with contaminated and degraded differential fluid, the gears may wear prematurely. That can also contribute to excess wear on the drive-wheel tires.   

Two-wheel drive vehicles have one differential while all-wheel and 4-wheel drive vehicles will have two or three.   Your vehicle’s manufacturer has guidelines on how often you should have the differential fluid changed, and we recommend you follow those.  

Changing the differential fluid is different depending on what model and year of vehicle you own.  Some have a drain plug so the fluid can be removed and replaced.  In others, a cover and gasket on the differential will have to be removed and replaced.  

Because differentials have constantly moving parts, they generate heat.  That’s why some have a vent to help dissipate the heat caused by friction, and sometimes that vent will need replacing.

When you bring your vehicle in for differential fluid replacement, our technician will also inspect the differential for other issues and test drive it to make sure it’s operating the way it should.  

Matt Davis Auto
875 US Highway 70 W
Garner, NC 27529
(919) 600-5125
www.mattdavisauto.com