Debunking Car Transmission Myths

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There is a lot of mystery and misinformation surrounding automatic transmissions, even within the automotive industry.  While some of these myths might have been true decades ago, modern technology has helped to level out the performance disparity between automatic and manual transmissions. Today’s blog is going to take a closer look at common transmission myths and the facts that will debunk them. 

 

Automatic transmissions are sealed units that are neither serviceable nor repairable.

It all depends on finding the right technician. Even though it seems like the only fix for a problem with an automatic transmission is a complete replacement of the unit, they are repairable and can benefit from being serviced. Those who don’t work with automatics can find the task daunting and nigh impossible, but for those who do, the task is still difficult because it’s easy for things to go wrong. The reason for this is that automatic transmissions contain a lot of small parts that are easily forgotten, so many mechanics don’t like to work on them. 

 

Cars with manual transmissions always cost less than their automatic counterparts.

While cars with manual transmissions tend to cost less, this isn’t always true. Consumer Reports notes that buying a car with a manual transmission can help consumers save between $8,000 and $12,000, but a number of cars on the market today, such as BMWs and GM models, cost the same regardless of their transmission. The maintenance cost of automatic transmissions may be higher, but better design has helped them to last the life of the vehicle, so long as the driver is taking care of it. Manual transmissions tend to not last as long and may need a few replacements during the car’s lifetime. Of course, this depends on the driver’s behavior and other variables as well. 

 

Automatic transmissions are less fuel-efficient than manual transmissions.

This claim is unfortunately true, however, manufacturers are closing the gap in fuel efficiency between manual and automatic transmissions. That being said, manual transmissions tend to beat automatics in fuel efficiency by a small margin in most cases. At its simplest, the problem boils down to weight and friction. Automatics are heavier than manual transmissions, which require more work and thus require more fuel. Depending on the abilities of the driver, though, automatics can be more efficient at times by switching gears at the most efficient time as opposed to manual if the driver isn’t good at hitting the optimal shift time. 

Addressing Common Car Tire Myths

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carl-turnley-tireTires affect a car’s handling and braking, so keeping them in tip-top shape is a simple way to improve drivers’ safety, but both cars and tires have changed dramatically in the last decade, and yesterday’s conventional wisdom about their care and maintenance has evolved. Before hitting the open road, here are five common tire myths car owners should ignore.

 

 

Myth #1

A tire’s ideal inflation pressure is listed on the sidewall.

Fact

Tire pressure is set by vehicle manufacturers and can be found in the owner’s manual or on the sticker in the driver’s side door jamb. The pressure noted on the tire is its maximum inflation level.

 

Myth #2

Tire-pressure monitoring systems warn drivers when tires should be inflated.

Fact

Monitoring systems only warn drivers when at least 25-percent of a tire’s pressure is lost. A reduction of just 10-percent affects tread wear, fuel efficiency and cornering. Experts recommend checking tires monthly with a pressure gauge as part of routine maintenance.

 

 

Myth #3

Tires should be rotated annually.

Fact

For optimal performance, tires should be rotated roughly every 7500 miles. The front tires on front-wheel drive vehicles bear more weight than the rear tires and tend to wear out faster. Rotating them regularly distributes the work evenly among all four tires, promoting even wear and longevity.

 

 

Myth #4

A tire is safe as long as it has adequate tread.

Fact

Rubber tires break down naturally over time, even when not in use. Heat, cold, ultraviolet light and exposure to environmental chemicals can cause dryness and cracking in the sidewalls known as dry rot. Excessively dry tires can be treated with a tire sealant to make them safe, but tires with advance dry rot could come apart on the road and should be replaced.

 

 

Myth #5

A tire will burst if it’s inflated past the maximum pressure listed on the sidewall.

Fact

The pressure at which a tire will burst far exceeds its maximum pressure. While minor overinflation negatively impacts a tire’s performance and fuel efficiency, owners shouldn’t be afraid to fill them as recommended.

Tires are one of a vehicle’s most essential safety features, and to protect precious cargo; it’s worth staying in the know about their proper upkeep.

 

Winter Car Maintenance Tips

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carl-turnley-winterCar maintenance is an important aspect of ensuring a vehicle runs smoothly. Executing such action bears even greater significance3 during the wintertime. This brief blog highlights several suggestions car owners can employ to keep their cars functioning at an optimal level during these cold, potentially harsh weather months.

Check and Change The Oil

Oil is vital to the operation of a vehicle’s engine. Many mechanics recommend changing oil every three months or every 3,000 to 5,000 miles traveled regardless of the season of year. However, during the wintertime, oil might thicken, which could threaten proper engine flow. Therefore, during colder periods, it is suggested that car owners check their oil content on a more frequent basis.

Install Snow Tires

Vehicle owners residing in regions prone to receiving significant quantities of snow and ice might wish to consider installing snow tires. Unlike typical tires, snow tires are designed to tread through adverse weather conditions and give drivers better traction, which may lead to maintaining better control of their vehicles during harsh weather.

Practice Battery Maintenance

During the summer months, a car’s battery expends much power. Unfortunately, this occurrence often precipitates a gradual weakening that is exacerbated by cold temperatures. Should the weakening become pronounced, car owners may experience a dead battery will require recharging or possibly replacing. Either situation could present a major hassle and expense to a driver. To avoid this pitfall, mechanics recommend drivers have their car batteries tested in advance of the winter season.

Ensure Proper Antifreeze Levels

As the substance’s name would indicate, antifreeze ensures the liquids that flow through a vehicle’s working parts do not freeze, which enables said structures to operate efficiently during cold durations. Drivers are encouraged to ask their mechanics to test the potency of and measure antifreeze levels.

Preserve Visibility

Few issues carry more importance than a driver’s ability to see during adverse weather conditions. Preserving visibility can be accomplished by executing actions such as installing winter windshield wipers, placing fresh bulbs in headlights and ensuring the windshield wiper tank is filled with deicing fluid.

Have The Radiator Cap And Thermostat Inspected

The radiator cap plays an integral role in preventing antifreeze leaks and ensuring the radiator functions properly. A vehicle’s thermostat regulates systemic internal temperature. Mechanics highly recommend having both parts examined and, if need be replaced prior to the winter driving season.

Winter Car Maintenance Tips

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carl-turnley-winterCar maintenance is an important aspect of ensuring a vehicle runs smoothly. Executing such action bears even greater significance during the wintertime. This brief blog highlights several suggestions car owners can employ to keep their cars functioning at an optimal level during these cold, potentially harsh weather months.

Check and Change The Oil

Oil is vital to the operation of a vehicle’s engine. Many mechanics recommend changing oil every three months or every 3,000 to 5,000 miles traveled regardless of the season of year. However, during the wintertime, oil might thicken, which could threaten proper engine flow. Therefore, during colder periods, it is suggested that car owners check their oil content on a more frequent basis.

Install Snow Tires

Vehicle owners residing in regions prone to receiving significant quantities of snow and ice might wish to consider installing snow tires. Unlike typical tires, snow tires are designed to tread through adverse weather conditions and give drivers better traction, which may lead to maintaining better control of their vehicles during harsh weather.

Practice Battery Maintenance

During the summer months, a car’s battery expends much power. Unfortunately, this occurrence often precipitates a gradual weakening that is exacerbated by cold temperatures. Should the weakening become pronounced, car owners may experience a dead battery will require recharging or possibly replacing. Either situation could present a major hassle and expense to a driver. To avoid this pitfall, mechanics recommend drivers have their car batteries tested in advance of the winter season.

Ensure Proper Antifreeze Levels

As the substance’s name would indicate, antifreeze ensures the liquids that flow through a vehicle’s working parts do not freeze, which enables said structures to operate efficiently during cold durations. Drivers are encouraged to ask their mechanics to test the potency of and measure antifreeze levels.

Preserve Visibility

Few issues carry more importance than a driver’s ability to see during adverse weather conditions. Preserving visibility can be accomplished by executing actions such as installing winter windshield wipers, placing fresh bulbs in headlights and ensuring the windshield wiper tank is filled with deicing fluid.

Have The Radiator Cap And Thermostat Inspected

The radiator cap plays an integral role in preventing antifreeze leaks and ensuring the radiator functions properly. A vehicle’s thermostat regulates systemic internal temperature. Mechanics highly recommend having both parts examined and, if need be replaced prior to the winter driving season.

The Best Car Maintenance Apps

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1_OxSMFGm6zxt3hpWhjCFu1ARegular car maintenance can not only avert potentially expensive repairs and unexpected mechanical shutdown but also improve gas mileage and the longevity of the vehicle. Fortunately, there are a huge array of apps designed to make it easier to stay on top of a car maintenance schedule, track fuel efficiency, and more. The following are the best car maintenance apps currently available.

AUTOsist

AUTOsist is an essential maintenance app that offers everything from gas logs and fuel trackers to repair logs and service histories. AUTOsist is designed to be an all-in-one vehicle care app that even allows users to download and share a vehicle’s full service history as a PDF, a useful feature during resale. It also includes custom alerts for upcoming tasks like registration renewal, oil changes, insurance renewals, and tire rotations.

Fuelly

Fuelly is a comprehensive app that focuses on tracking a vehicle’s fuel economy and gas expenses but it’s also helpful for tracking service tasks and expenses. Fuelly keeps an accurate vehicle maintenance record with a home screen that displays average MPG, total fuel cost, and miles driven. Custom reminders can be set up for maintenance tasks like tire rotations and multiple cars are supported.

Garmin Mechanic

For drivers who enjoy tracking everything, Garmin Mechanic offers something unique. The app uses data from a recent Garmin device and a vehicle’s onboard diagnostics port to provide incredibly accurate fuel economy data and engine operating parameters as well as trouble codes. The app has four tabs: Trip with information about current speed, time stopped, and distance; Gauges with up to 10 parameters like engine RPM; Economy with average fuel economy and fuel used for the trip; and Vehicles with profiles for each vehicle.

Mobile Mechanic

The Mobile Mechanic app is designed for drivers who can handle basic car repairs and maintenance tasks. The app is used to diagnose simple issues that can be corrected by the user or for greater insight before going to a mechanic.

OBD Car Doctor

OBD Car Doctor is an advanced maintenance app that works with an OBD-II scanner. When the vehicle experiences an issue, the scanner tool can be used to display an error message by communicating with the car’s On-Board Diagnostic system. The OBD Car Doctor is used to quickly interpret the findings from the scanner tool. The app makes it easy to determine why the check engine light keeps coming on, for example, so the car can be repaired by the user or a qualified mechanic.

 

Ten Crucial Car Maintenance Tips

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carl-turnley-maintenance

Having a car is a tremendous privilege, but comes with great responsibility. Here are some tips to bear in mind to make sure your car’s maintenance is up to date.

  1. Check Your Air Filter

Whenever you want to pop on the air conditioner, you will want to make sure the filters in your car do not suffer much wear and tear. It is recommended that you change them every 12 months or so to prevent breathing in unhealthy air.

  1. Spark Plugs

Any issues that you may face with your engine can most likely be attributed to the spark plugs. Spark plugs are typically good for around 30,000 miles.

  1. Brakes

Cars that last longer typically have strong brakes. Every two years, ensure that your brakes are replaced. Checking your brake fluid can also be helpful.

  1. Cover It

Covering your car can ensure that the paint stays fresh and that your car remains stylish. This is more of an aesthetic tip, but it could save you money.

  1. Practice Better Driving

You could save money that you’d have to pay for damages to car by simply driving better and avoiding accidents. It reflects well on you, and saves you money in the long run.

  1. Exterior Engine Cleaning

Cleaning the exterior of your car can prevent excess debris from entering the internal compartment. Remove any debris or garbage that should not be there.

     7. Oil

Your oil should be amber in color, and you can refer to your owner’s manual in regards to when and how often your oil should be changed.

  1. Headlights

The headlights provide you with safety, allowing you to see what’s up ahead of you at night. Make sure the battery is up to date and that it is actually working before driving off.

  1. Windshield Wipers

The windshield wipers are one of the more vulnerable parts of your car that can wear out quickly. However, they can be easily replaced with a wiper blade.

  1. Tire Rotation

The general rule of thumb is to have your tires rotated and properly aligned every 5,000 miles. Doing so will also help your car’s fuel economy as well.