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Watch for Transmission Damage After an Accident

Fri, 15 Feb 2019 02:33:02 GMT

All auto accidents are serious, even seemingly minor ones. Any time a car is involved in a collision, there is always a risk for transmission damage — particularly if you have rear-wheel or all-wheel drive. If you were involved in an accident, it's vital that you check your car's transmission.

Early Warning Signs

If there is such a thing as a bright side to transmission damage, it's the fact that most problems are relatively obvious. When the transmission is malfunctioning, you'll know it. Here are some of the red flags to look out for after an accident.

Leaking Fluid
Transmission fluid plays a vital role in the overall operation of the transmission.

The primary function of this fluid is to lubricate all the moving parts, such as the gears that rotate when the vehicle is in motion. When the fluid level is too low, friction may build up inside the transmission and cause a number of problems, like overheating. When the transmission overheats, the threat of total failure becomes a significant possibility.

During an accident, the impact of the collision could cause a crack to form in the transmission. Even a small crack leaves an ample opening for fluid to seep out. If you notice a puddle of reddish fluid under your car, then you may have a transmission leak.

Shifting Problems
A collision may also result in shifting problems. The transition from gear to gear should be easy and seamless. If you notice an unusual sound when shifting gears, this is cause for concern. The noise you hear could be the result of the gears grinding, and any difficulty changing between gears could also be the result of this issue.

Gear grinding can occur whenever the transmission itself, or the gears, moves as a result of the impact of the other vehicle hitting your car. The grinding you hear is the result of bare metal pressing up against another piece of bare metal. If you continue to drive the car in this state, you can cause irreversible damage to your vehicle.

Slipping
Transmission slipping is just as it sounds — it's when the transmission will move from one gear to another without assistance. For example, you're in drive and the transmission shifts into neutral on its own. You may also have problems with acceleration when the transmission is slipping. An accident can cause your transmission to slip.

While a slipping transmission doesn't necessarily mean imminent failure, it should not be ignored. Driving a vehicle in this condition is especially dangerous, as your car could fail to accelerate or switch gears without notice — even when you're driving on a busy highway.

Try to Beat the Clock

Once you detect a problem with your transmission, remember that the countdown has already started. Transmission problems don't self-correct, and they aren't typically stagnant. Transmission problems advance rapidly. Ideally, you want to have your transmission inspected within days of detecting the problem.

Not only is this important in terms of your vehicle’s health, but it’s also important for insurance purposes. If you want to have your collision-caused transmission repairs covered by your insurance policy, then you will need to file your claim within the statute of limitations. Protect your car and your wallet. Don't wait around to have your vehicle repaired.

If you were recently involved in a collision, don't underestimate the potential for damage to your transmission. Transmission concerns are progressive, and they can be costly when not addressed. At All Transmission World , we're committed to helping you keep your transmission in great condition. Contact us to learn more about how we can help you with your car.

The Sounds of Brake and Suspension Problems

Fri, 15 Feb 2019 02:31:31 GMT

Your car, which once was relatively silent when you drove to work, might now be making sounds that indicate problems with the undercarriage. Maybe you notice a slight grinding noise when you brake. Maybe you hear a groaning sound as you turn the corner. Or maybe the wheels seem to clunk a little bit as you slow down.

All of these sounds can indicate troubles with your brakes and wheels. Learn more about common problematic sounds before they escalate into full-blown safety issues or balloon your overall repair costs.

Grinding

Usually, grinding as you slow or stop is a sign that your brakes need to be serviced. The grinding noise occurs because the brake pads have entirely worn away, causing the brake components to scrape together metal on metal.

Don’t ignore any grinding you hear; you should get your car repaired as soon as you can. If you continue to drive with grinding brakes, the rotors and calipers can become damaged, and replacing these drastically increases the cost of the brake repair. Instead of just paying to replace the pad, you'll pay hundreds of dollars more to replace the other brake components.

Ideally, you replace your brake pads before they ever get worn out enough to cause your brakes to grind. Usually, your brake pads will make a squealing noise when they are getting worn out.

Clunking

The most common reason you might hear clunking as you turn or when driving on an uneven road is because you have failing ball joint. The ball joint connects the wheel to the steering control arm. It fits into a socket, allowing you to enjoy better suspension on the front end of the vehicle.

A bad ball joint is a safety hazard because if the ball joint falls, the wheel that it connects to the control arm can fall off. If this happens when you're traveling at high speed or on a more dangerous road, you could entirely wreck your vehicle.

Other signs of a failing ball joint include noticeable shaking as you drive your vehicle. Also, the vehicle could start to pull to the right or to the left because a bad ball joint on one side can affect your overall vehicle alignment.

Knocking

Another common sound you can hear as your drive, turn, and brake is a rocking sound that doesn't come from the engine. Sometimes people overlook odd noises if they aren't engine related, thinking they will pass or that it's just a rock or tree branch caught in the tire.

However, the knocking sound you might hear when you go over even a small bump is not caused by something that will just go away. The sound is usually a sign of failing struts. Struts are the main component of your overall vehicle suspension. They are what make your ride smooth, and they also help maintain your tire alignment.

As the bushings in the struts begin to fail, the other components will knock against each other as you drive, causing the groaning, knocking sounds you might have been ignoring. Other signs of bad struts include leaking hydraulic fluid and excessive bounce that gets worse with increased mileage.

If you continue to drive with poor struts, the shocks will become more worn out. Your tires will also wear out more quickly; one side of the tire will fail more quickly than the other, taking months or even years off your tire life. You'll also stress your transmission, and the drag of your car can even cause engine trouble because of the terrible alignment.

Not all car maintenance issues are engine related. Don't ignore undercarriage noises; get them checked with us at All Transmission World.

2 Transmission Problems That Can Affect Your Clutch

Fri, 15 Feb 2019 02:27:00 GMT

Despite the prevalence of automatic transmissions today, a surprising number of car owners still prefer the increased control and responsiveness of a manual transmission. Simply put, these drivers feel that a manual transmission is just more fun. When operated responsibly, a manual transmission can also improve your overall fuel economy.

That doesn't mean that manual transmissions won't also experience problems as time goes on, of course. But the direct contact you have with your transmission through the clutch pedal often helps you know when things aren't working right. This article will deepen your transmission troubleshooting skills by discussing two common problems that can affect your clutch.

1. Warped Flywheel

Your car's clutch connects to a spring that controls the movement of a pressure plate. This pressure plate presses against the clutch disc whenever you let up on the clutch pedal. As a result, the clutch disc encounters the flywheel, which attaches to your engine's crankshaft.

This system ensures that anytime you don't actively engage the clutch, your engine and transmission rotate at the same speed. When you press down on the clutch, the clutch disc pulls away from the flywheel, allowing the engine and transmission to spin separately. This separation allows the transmission to switch gears before re-engaging the flywheel.

Because the flywheel attaches directly to the engine, the flywheel experiences many extreme temperature swings. Over time, the stress of these changes may cause the flywheel to warp. This makes the clutch disc engaging the flywheel more difficult. Eventually, as the problem grows more pronounced, your engine may not start at all.

Yet in the early stages, a warped flywheel often manifests in your clutch pedal. You may notice that your clutch has begun to vibrate when you release it. Known as clutch chatter, this problem stems from the bumpy flywheel knocking against the clutch disc as the two grow closer. You must replace an excessively warped flywheel to restore proper functioning to your car.

2. Worn Clutch Disc

The high-friction surface of the flywheel will take its toll on your clutch disc as time goes on. Simply put, the face of the clutch disc will wear down over time. No matter how responsibly you use your clutch pedal, you can't do much to prevent your clutch disc wearing down over time. In this regard, you can think of your clutch a little bit like your brake pads.

Allowing the clutch disc to wear down too far, however, can end up damaging your flywheel. If the disc excessively wears down, the bolts that attach the clutch disc to its hub may become exposed. These bolts will then dig into the surface of the flywheel each time you take your foot off the clutch.

The more worn down your clutch disc becomes, the higher your clutch pedal's release point will be. This change in height corresponds to the farther distance that the clutch disc has to travel to meet the flywheel. Eventually the clutch disc simply won't be able to exert the necessary amount of pressure on the flywheel.

At this point, you may notice that your car has a much harder time accelerating up inclines or carrying heavy loads. To prevent this potentially dangerous scenario, next time your clutch pedal's release point seems much higher than usual, be sure to have a mechanic properly and thoroughly inspect your clutch disc.

A manual car's clutch system takes a heavy beating as time goes on. To learn more about what you need to keep all parts of your transmission system running smoothly, please don't hesitate to contact Central Florida's experts at All Transmission World.

What You Should Know About Dual-Clutch Transmissions

Fri, 15 Feb 2019 02:21:06 GMT

Dual-clutch transmissions were once popular among automobile manufacturers throughout the early 2000s. These transmissions were heralded for their fuel efficiency and improved performance over automatic and manual transmissions.

Despite their initial popularity, dual-clutch transmissions have fallen out of favor with most manufacturers. Nevertheless, there's a good chance you'll encounter one if you purchase a performance-oriented used car. Here’s what you should know about dual-clutch transmissions if you come across one.

How Dual-Clutch Transmissions Work

Dual-clutch transmissions (DCTs) are a bit different from the average automatic transmission. Just as the name implies, a dual-clutch transmission features two separate clutches. On a typical six-speed dual-clutch gearbox, one clutch handles the odd-numbered set of gears (1st, 3rd, and 5th) while the other clutch handles the even-numbered set of gears (2nd, 4th, and 6th).

Think of a DCT as being two separate manual transmissions located in the same housing. By splitting up the gears in this manner, a DCT can speed up gear changes by preselecting the next gear. DCTs either use a wet clutch setup for high-torque applications or a dry clutch setup for smaller vehicles with lower torque figures.

Since DCTs are essentially automated manual transmissions, there's no need for a torque converter. The transmission instead relies on its electrohydraulics to shift gears. On most applications, drivers can operate their DCT in fully automatic mode or shift gears in "manual" mode via paddle controls located behind the steering wheel.

How Dual-Clutch Transmissions Benefit Drivers

When it comes to overall performance, dual-clutch transmissions beat their manual and automatic counterparts. Dual-clutch transmissions provide much faster gear changes than even a seasoned driver can achieve with a manual transmission. The ability to make rapid gear shifts with minimal delay makes DCTs ideal for use in sports cars and supercars.

DCTs also offer better fuel efficiency than most automatic or manual transmissions. Since DCTs don't need a mechanically inefficient torque converter for power delivery, a DCT-equipped vehicle doesn't need to use as much fuel as one equipped with a comparable automatic transmission to deliver power to the wheels.

What Common Issues You Should Watch For

Despite their advantages, dual-clutch transmissions aren't without their problems. The following issues explain why DCTs haven't been as popular as automakers have hoped.

Jerky Operation

Jerky, hesitant operation is one of the most common complaints drivers have with their dual-clutch transmissions. Such hesitation is usually felt when pulling away from a stop or while traveling at low speeds. DCTs can also lag when a driver needs another gear other than the one preselected by the transmission. The transmission's software needs time to select the correct gear, resulting in lag.

Clutch Shudder

Some DCTs are also prone to clutch shudder, especially when shifting from one lower gear to another. On dry-clutch DCTs, input shaft leaks can cause oil to seep into the clutch housing and contaminate the dry clutch surfaces. Clutch shudder can also be caused by any number of internal flaws within the transmission itself.

Fluid Contamination

On DCTs with a wet clutch setup, the clutch plates can deposit worn clutch material into the transmission oil. For this reason, wet-clutch DCTs need oil changes more frequently than comparable automatic transmissions. If the oil isn't changed on a regular basis, the ongoing contamination can cause overheating and other performance problems.

Park/Neutral Switch Problems

Certain vehicles might not be able to start due to a faulty park/neutral switch. Communication failures between the switch and the vehicle's powertrain control module can prevent the vehicle from starting even when the vehicle is in park or neutral. Failure of the switch itself can also cause problems.

Any of these issues can signal a bigger problem with your dual-clutch transmission. Fortunately, the experts at All Transmission World can diagnose your issues and make the appropriate repairs or replacements. Give us a call today to take care of your transmission issues.

Transfer Cases: How They Work and Their Common Problems

Fri, 15 Feb 2019 02:17:14 GMT

If you own a four-wheel-drive vehicle, then you not only have a transmission to deal with, but also a transfer case. Without a transfer case, your car or truck would not be able to switch from two-wheel to four-wheel drive mode. Here is more information about what a transfer case does, common problems and recommended maintenance.

Purpose of a Transfer Case

The main purpose of this component is to distribute engine power to all four wheels. While you drive your car, the front and rear wheels do not move at the same rate of rotation. Normally this wouldn't be a problem if the car is only powered by two wheels. However, things are different when the car or truck needs to be powered by all four wheels. What the transfer case does is connect both the front and rear axles and synchronizes their speed of rotation.

Types of Transfer Cases

Transfer cases were originally divided into part-time and full-time versions. Part-time versions allow you to change from two-wheel-drive to four-wheel-drive when needed. This could either be done by locking the hubs or doing it on-the-fly from inside the vehicle.

Full-time versions are in four-wheel-drive all the time and have mechanisms to compensate for driving on hard, smooth surfaces such as a highway. Some newer vehicles have a hybrid or computer-controlled system which easily changes between two-wheel and four-wheel drive based on the road conditions.

Common Transfer Case Problems

Over time, transfer cases can wear down and break depending on how you use your vehicle. Most problems show up as one or more of the following four symptoms.

Leaking seals

Like your transmission, the transfer uses a lubricant to keep parts running smooth and seals working properly. Over time, these seals can wear and dry out and begin to leak. If you're not careful, you could lose enough fluid to cause inadequate lubrication and damage to the internal components.

Popping out of gear

Popping out of gear is a sign of serious internal problems. It means that your gears have worn to the point that it can't keep the vehicle in either two-wheel or four-wheel drive. The problem often comes on gradually as the gears wear down over time.

Strange noises

Like popping out of gear, strange noises is a sign that a component is worn or lacks lubrication. If you have a chain-driven transfer case, it could mean that your chain is damaged, stretched or misaligned. If yours uses gears, then one or more gears is worn or damaged.

Motor failure

Some modern vehicles have a motor that makes shifting in and out of four-wheel drive easier. It's common in cars with computer-controlled, road-sensitive shifting systems. If the motor fails, then you will not be able to get into four-wheel drive when you need it the most. Your indicator light for servicing four-wheel-drive should also light up in your dashboard.

Transfer Case Maintenance

Transfer cases are mostly trouble-free, but they do require regular maintenance. The primary maintenance that nearly all transfer cases need is a fluid change. Just like engine oil, fluid can become contaminated over time as additives break down and lose their effectiveness. The maintenance interval depends on your manufacturer's recommendation. If you use your vehicle for towing, you may need to increase your fluid change interval.

Knowing more about what kind of transfer case you have and its maintenance can help you use it efficiently and keep it working well in the long run. However, if you have been having problems with getting your car or truck to run in four-wheel drive, then it's best to take it in to an experienced mechanic.

All Transmission World has mechanics in several Orlando area locations who are knowledgeable about transfer cases and other four-wheel-drive vehicle issues. Call us today to get started.

5 Driving Habits That Could Extend the Life of Your Clutch

Fri, 15 Feb 2019 02:14:09 GMT

When you have a manual transmission, maintaining good shift habits and care go a long way to keep your clutch from wearing out prematurely. However, many people do not realize that they may be wearing out their clutch when they use certain techniques. Here are five driving and maintenance tips that can help you extend the life of your manual transmission.

1. Keep Your Foot Off the Clutch

Many people get into the bad habit of resting their foot on the clutch or partially engaging it while they are driving. The problem is that any time you are touching that pedal, no matter how lightly, you are engaging the clutch. This means that the clutch is in near constant friction with the engine, which will cause it to wear down faster.

Additionally, this technique wears out the bearings earlier than usual and can lead to slipping or delayed shifts. On a related note, keep your hand off the shift lever while driving as it, too, can cause premature bearing wear.

2. Do Not Use the Clutch as a Brake

Some people use their transmission in something called engine braking, this is when you delay the shifting to keep the engine speeds down. However, you should not be using this technique instead of the brakes.

For example, many people keep the clutch engaged while they are facing uphill at a stop light, and while doing this may seem to make it easier to start out without rolling back, it is unnecessary. Newer cars have a "hill hold" feature to keep your car from rolling back. If you don't have this feature, then practice using your parking brake to hold you until you are ready to move.

3. Use Neutral When Necessary

As previously mentioned, while it may seem easy to start out from a stop when you keep the clutch engaged, you could be wearing out your clutch unnecessarily. Keeping the clutch engaged and your car in gear for an extended period puts pressure on the springs and bearings that are designed only to be used for short periods.

Instead, put your car in neutral and take your foot off the clutch if you know that you are going to be stopped for a longer-than-usual time period.

4. Maintain Your Fluids

Make sure you check your fluids regularly and change them at the recommended intervals. If you are losing fluid, then you may have a leak or other problem which should be repaired as soon as possible. If the fluid runs too low, then you risk the chance of increasing the internal friction between parts.

In addition, if you don't change the fluid regularly, then dirt and contaminants can also cause seals and gaskets to break down early. Be sure to replace any lost fluid with the proper type because using the wrong fluid could cause damage or provide insufficient lubrication.

5. Do Not Over-Rev Your Engine

Make sure your shifts are smooth by not letting your engine speed get too high before shifting. Over-revving typically happens when you either downshift or upshift too early or at the wrong vehicle speeds. Not only does this technique put your transmission at risk, it could also damage your engine.

Over-revving also raises both the engine and transmission temperature and could lead to engine damage and premature transmission failure.

Developing good driving habits when you have a manual transmission is important if you want your clutch to last a long time with few problems. If you are unsure what your maintenance schedule should be, or you're already having problems with your clutch, then contact one of the All Transmission World repair shops to get your vehicle diagnosed and repaired before these problems get worse.

5 Warning Signs of Automatic Transmission Trouble

Fri, 15 Feb 2019 02:08:26 GMT

Your transmission is a vital component that keeps your car running properly. Transmissions are composed of complex hydraulics and electronic parts that transmit power from the engine to the axles that enable your wheels to move.

Cars today can suffer from various transmission problems that can cause major damage resulting in costly repairs if you ignore the problem. The sooner you catch transmission trouble, the better. Here are five signs that you're having transmission problems.

No Response When Shifting

An automatic transmission is a self-shifting component that changes gears when it detects changes in speed. A lack of response when shifting is a warning sign that your transmission is having some problems. When you drive, you may notice that when you increase your speed, your car doesn't react properly and still feels as if you are driving at a slower speed.

Your car may make sounds such as whining from the engine, or you may feel your vehicle jerk forward as the gears change, yet the speed fails to increase.

Check this by test driving in a clear area where you can increase the speed. Pay attention to whether the gears shift smoothly as the speed increases. Contact a service center if you experience jerking, engine whining or a lack of response when shifting gears.

Delayed Shifting

You could also notice that when your vehicle does change gears, the vehicle doesn't do so right away. A healthy transmission will engage smoothly to accommodate increases and reduces in speed.

Focus in on how quickly your car or truck changes gears. If there's a significant delay between the time you change speed and the time the vehicle reacts by shifting gears, you're likely experiencing transmission issues.

If the delay happens once, it may just be a fluke. However, if you notice this happening frequently, take your vehicle to have the transmission checked.

Transmission Fluid Leak

Sometimes something innocent like a loose hose can cause fluid such as coolant to leak. Other times leaking fluid is a warning sign of trouble. The transmission is sealed and thus shouldn't leak any fluid under normal circumstances.

If you notice red or orange fluid leaking from your car, that fluid may be a sign of a faulty transmission. You'll need to have it looked at to know for sure.

Overheating

A transmission overheating is the culprit behind many problems that can affect this part of your car. When your transmission overheats, other vital components such as fluid pressure are negatively impacted. Other parts of the vehicle will often start having problems.

When the transmission overheats, your vehicle will experience fluid loss. The fluids will also look dirty, and you may notice a burnt smell as you drive. Have your transmission checked if you notice your fluids are low for no reason.

Shaking

When you drive down the road your vehicle should feel smooth. When the transmission becomes faulty, you may notice that your car no longer drives smoothly. A car that shakes and trembles a lot as you drive may be warning you of transmission problems.

Sometimes brake rotors cause vehicles to shake, so take note as to whether it shakes when driving or when you apply the brake to stop. If it shakes when you change speeds, as opposed to when you apply the brakes, you may need your transmission repaired.

Most cars today have warning lights that come on indicating that a component of your vehicle is experiencing trouble. Even if your transmission light doesn't come on, be proactive about taking care of your car if you see these signs. Contact All Transmission World to have your transmission issue diagnosed.

Preventing Overheating in Cars

Fri, 15 Feb 2019 01:23:30 GMT

Most car problems won't quickly destroy a vehicle, but overheating can ruin an engine in just a matter of minutes. If your car engine overheats, permanent damage can occur in the form of seized pistons and warped components, thus resulting in expensive repairs or engine replacement. Below is more information about four common causes of engine overheating and what you should do to prevent them from occurring

Low Engine Coolant

Engine coolant is composed of water and ethylene glycol or propylene glycol. This mixture is able to efficiently absorb heat from its surroundings and is continuously circulated through the engine. Hot coolant releases heat at the radiator with the help of a cooling fan.

Your engine's coolant is its "lifeblood" when it comes to preventing overheating. If the level of coolant drops too low, the motor will be unable to cool quickly enough.

That is why engine coolant levels should be monitored by car owners and refilled as needed. Though some loss in coolant over time is normal, rapid loss of coolant indicates a problem that should be addressed by a mechanic.

Insufficient Engine Oil

Though many people think of oil as strictly a lubricant, engine oil in a car also serves an important purpose by transferring heat away from the motor. Too little oil can lead to the same result as too little coolant: overheating and permanent engine damage.

To prevent your engine from being damaged, be sure to check your engine oil on a regular basis. In addition, don't neglect to have your oil changed on a regular basis; some vehicles burn oil, and this could cause a significant loss of oil if the interval between oil changes is too great.

Water Pump Failure

All vehicles use a water pump to circulate engine coolant through the radiator and into the engine block. The water pump in your car is located toward the bottom of the motor and is powered by the timing belt or chain.

However, water pumps will often fail and leak, and this can cause a sudden loss of coolant. This loss of coolant will lead to overheating and may not be noticed at first due to the location of the leak at the bottom of the engine. While you can't prevent a water pump from failing, it is usually recommended to replace the water pump whenever the timing belt is changed. If your vehicle is equipped with a permanent timing chain that doesn't need replacing, observe the manufacturer's guidelines for water pump replacement to prevent a sudden failure from leaving you stranded.

Radiator Hose Leak

Car engines contain two radiator hoses, an upper hose and lower hose. The lower hose transfers coolant into the engine while the upper hose is how the coolant is returned to the radiator.

While radiator hoses are tough and long-lasting, they can weaken eventually due to the constant exposure to heat. Weakened hoses often balloon, then burst, and this leads to a massive release of coolant as a consequence.

Radiator hoses should be monitored by car owners for any signs of weakening. For example, inspect the hoses on a regular basis to see if they are ballooning. In addition, push your thumb into the sides of the hoses to determine if they are becoming soft and prone to bursting. Have any soft, "mushy" hoses replaced as soon as possible.

If you have questions about your vehicle's operation, including those that concern engine overheating, be sure to contact All Transmission World. The expert technicians at All Transmission World will answer your questions and help ensure your car keeps running smoothly for many miles to come.