In Recognition of Good Deeds: AAMCO Corporate Honors Greeley AAMCO
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AAMCO Greeley has been featured in the “Hero’s of the Month” in the AAMCO monthly news letter TwinPost.
The U.S Automotive Industry Should Brace Itself For Generation Y
At AAMCO, we know you need your vehicle to get you where you need to be… and safely. Which is why if you are in need of an Auto Tune Up, Transmission Repair, or any other automotive repair, you should visit one of the many AAMCO Locations nearest you! An AAMCO Auto Mechanic can ensure your vehicle is running both properly and safely!
How Generation Y Will Affect The Automotive Industry
Its common for people to attempt to toss aside the ideals of their parents, and create their own set of rules by which to live by. If this wasn’t the case, we would all be wearing the same clothes, listening to the same music, and acting in the same way as our grandparents. But with every new Generation, there comes a new way of life, and new ways of thinking about life.
This may very well be the biggest problem the automotive industry must face in the coming years. As Babyboomers, or the Silver Tsunami as marketers like to put it, begin to make the last big purchases of their life, car manufacturers will need to switch up both the products they offer, as well as their marketing focus. The reason being, simply put, is that the game will change.
Babyboomers: The Open Road Mentality
Babyboomers lived in a time of making love and not war. When social injustices needed to be fought, and music was the language used for change. But they also grew up when cars were big, gas was cheap, and the roads, compared to today, were relatively empty. As they aged, they kept the mindset of how a car represented freedom. How at any moment, you could hit the road and be free to go where you want, when you want. Their vehicles were also their toys and a representation of themselves. As such, it makes sense that this ideal wasn’t lost upon them as the decades rolled by. You can see this idea being used by car manufacturers today, with new versions of the Mustang and Corvette, as well as a slew of other originally Babyboomer vehicles. You rarely hear any other person from a different generation exclaiming how they need the new Nissan Z. But Babyboomers will recall the original Nissan Z, and the nostalgia shows with their purchasing trends.
Generation X: A Growing Population With Limited Resources
Now with Generation X, there is a different trend. They are more aware of the ever growing population, the limited resources on our planet, as well as being concerned with environmental issues. For them, they may have had a glimpse of what the open road was, but certainly knew that it wouldn’t last. Gas efficiency, alternative fuels, and alternative modes of transportation, as well as their impact on the environment were their major concerns. This would be the reason why Hybrids and EVs were created, as when there is a demand, money is to be made by those who can supply it.
Generation Y: Significantly More Savvy Than Grandpa
But it is going to be those a part of Generation Y that truly dictate where the automotive industry must head in the future. Babyboomers will no longer be buying cars en masse, and those a part of Generation X will be buying vehicles that are economical and efficient. But Generation Y’ers will have grown up in a time when a better public transportation system will have been in place, and the vehicles their parents drive are vastly different than their grandparents. Autonomous vehicles will also most likely be in play as we are now seeing that technology forging forward. Not to mention, how many Generation X’ers choose to ride their bicycle rather than drive? This was much less known and prevalent decades prior.
Add to this, Generation Y’ers are extremely savvy. They will have spent most of their life in a time when the interent was readily available, and information has always been at their finger tips. In essence, they have grown much more independent at an earlier age than any generation prior. I’ve seen young teenagers taking buses well before they were even close to being able to drive. I’ve heard other teenagers mention how there is no need or reason to own a car, and that they can get around just fine without it. They also don’t have the urge to hit the open road, because they will have seldom seen one. A car, to them, does not represent freedom as it did for generations prior. Their freedom came in the form of information, not transportation.
It is with this idea that car manufacturers need to change their way of thinking, because a paradigm shift will, if it already hasn’t, occur. How do you sell something that no one feels a great need for? When people won’t be able, nor want to pay the high cost of fuel? When they won’t want to drive in traffic for hours because there are simply too many vehicles on the road? When parking becomes a larger hassle than it already is? Technology is continually advancing, and Generation Y’ers know that already in their young age. They won’t be able to settle on using old technology when they know there are better, faster, more efficient alternatives available. They also won’t have the nostalgia for vehicles that generations prior grew up with.
The winds of change are certainly howling, and if car manufacturers don’t set their sails correctly and catch this wind just right, they may well be left behind. There is no doubt that at some point in the future, cars as we know them will be outdated. Like a horse and buggy, they’ll be little more than relics. But that time has not arrived, and to stay with the times, car manufacturers are going to need to be clever. But this will no doubt occur once a few Generation X’ers and Y’ers take the reigns and steer the industry in the right direction.
Debunking Myths About Manual Transmission
At AAMCO Colorado, we feel that the more people know about their cars, and vehicles in general, the more respect they will have for automobiles. If you, or a loved one, are in need of a transmission repair, AAMCO offers free transmission checks for those who are unsure. For those that do know they either need transmission repairs or a new transmission in general, you can visit any AMMCO location where they will be glad to assist you.
Myths About Manual Transmissions
There are a few myths concerning transmissions in regards to automatic vs. manual that have steadily been believed for a long time. However, with recent advances in automotive technology, many of these differences are no longer as true as they once were. So from here we are going to highlight a few of the more common misconceptions, and clarify why they no longer hold weight.
Automatic Vs. Manual Transmissions
For manual transmissions, you must keep the revolutions per minute (RPM) within a certain range. You also must coordinate the clutch, throttle, and gears with each other. This takes a bit of practice and skill in order to drive efficiently. Whereas with an automatic, everything is done for you. All you have to be concerned with is the throttle. People can enjoy less stress with not having to be mindful of shifting, and also have a free leg to rest, and a hand to change music, eat, and drink. These are definite bonuses to driving an automatic. Though, those are not the myths that have been dispelled, which we will now cover.
The Mythical Benefits to Manual Transmission
Get Better Mileage - It’s believed that manual transmissions receive better gas mileage over their automatic counterparts. Years ago this would have been true, as automatics would reach high RPM and slowly shift, which would waste gas in the process.
However, nowadays automatic transmission have computer controls, dual clutches, lock-up toque converters, and an infinite number of variable speeds. This actually now can give automatics an advantage over manuals if user error occurs, automatics can now change gears seamlessly. This allows for less gas being wasted in the process.
More Control Over Your Car - A manual transmission allows the driver to employ engine breaking when needed. This is generally the case when driving on icy conditions, going downhill, or in the event that your brakes have failed you. Being able to do this is obviously useful when these events arise.
It used to be that automatics wouldn’t allow you to shift gears or stay in a certain gear when you wanted. However, newer automatic transmission allow you to manually shift, or stay in a particular gear if the need or want arises. They will even let you coast just as an automatic, which for those really trying to save on gas, will become useful when traveling downhill.
Cheaper And Easier To Repair - There is no debate on this point however. Manual transmissions are both cheaper to purchase and repair. When purchasing a new car, a manual transmission is often $1,000 less than an automatic. An automatic transmission is also more expensive to repair or rebuild, because the components that make them up are quite numerous.
One thing to note is that many automatic transmissions last for the life of the vehicle, whereas a manual transmission will require at least one, if not more, clutch replacements throughout the vehicles life. These often cost $1,000 or more, so in the end you may end up paying more for the vehicle later on.
More Fun - This is probably one of the biggest points to be made. It is more enjoyable to manually shift and have more control. It allows you to feel like a pilot or race care driver, however, not all people enjoy that thought. Many would prefer to have the extra and hand free. They would prefer less stress, and a mindless drive compared to the attention that is involved with driving a manual. Though, when it comes down to it, it’s all preference.
If you are in need of an auto tune up or any other kind of car maintenace such as a transmission service, you should visit an AAMCO certified shop near you. Because those that know, go to AAMCO!
The Future Is Near, Autonomous Vehicles
At AAMCO Colorado, we love cars! We also love helping others enjoy their vehicles as much as we do. Which is why we offer some of the best automotive service in Colorado! If you are in need of an auto tune up, transmission service, or perhaps a simpleDenver oil change, then you should be sure to check the closest AAMCO location nearest you! Where we are always happy and willing to help.
Nightrider Soon To Become A Reality
Vehicles have come a tremendously long way since the first Ford Model T rolled off the line in 1908. Over recent years, there has been a surge in technology driven by companies who wish to give vehicles the ability to drive themselves to specific locations without the assistance of an actual, physical driver. This has huge implications all over the board, and is something people should be aware of as there are probably some, who regardless of how well the technology works or has been created, will not like the idea of autonomous vehicles driving next to them on the road. Then again, there are other techie zealots who will probably exclaim “What took you so long!” But either way you look at it, the rise of the machines has begun, and currently there is one company that has stayed ahead of the pack in developing this new technology, and that company is oddly Google!
Now it’s odd that Google is at the forefront of developing this technology as no other part of their business deals with vehicles directly. It could be argued that their advancement of maps, specifically the charting of roads, is close. But really, they posses little experience working with vehicles, though this technology really doesn’t reinvent the car so to speak. It does definitely enhance it. Imagine, just as in the television show Nightrider, you could simply tell your vehicle where you wish to go and it will take you there. Or perhaps you need to be picked up, well it could come and get you as well.
How Google Became Involved
Google first realized the importance of an autonomous vehicles when they were charting their roads for Google Maps. Initially, they hired numerous drivers and outfitted them with cars equipped with the proper camera equipment needed to photograph the streets. What they soon realized was that they needed a lot of drivers, as there are many roads to map. They figured that if they had vehicles which could drive themselves, they could map the roads much faster, and not force people to have to drive hours on end, taking every turn they could potentially take to assure all the roads were coursed.
It’s a very simple idea, however to implement it is entirely different. To start, autonomous vehicles are illegal on public roads in every state except California, where Google was located in doing their research. They were fortunate in the sense that California Law makers allowed this, as without their permission, this dream of theirs could have never became a reality, at least not in the U.S to start.
The Benefits Of An Autonomous Vehicle
Here is list of a few of the potential uses an autonomous vehicle can have to give everyone an idea of how important this technology could potentially become.
- Drunk Driving- To start, there would never be the need to drive drunk any more.
- Parking- You wouldn’t have to worry over finding a parking spot, as the car could drop you off and find one itself.
- Accidents- There would no longer be accidents, or fewer of them, as every vehicle would be following the legal speed limit, stopping fully at stop signs, and generally having better awareness of its surrounding as 6 or so cameras work better than 1 set of eyes.
- Long Drives- How nice would it be to be able to set the location you desire to go to, and sit back and read, or work, or even fall asleep as the car drives you. If you have an hour commute to work, you can spend that time sleeping if desired
- Traffic- Traffic would be less of an issue as if every vehicle on the road was driving properly, there would not be as much stop and go, which is what causes huge traffic jams in cities and on highways.
- Mobility For The Disabled- Any person who was unable to drive themselves due to a disability or a handicap would find that they are just as mobile as the rest. You could even be blind, hop in your car and tell it where to go, and arrive there with little worry over being in an accident. It would essentially provide mobility to people who were unable to have that before.
The Concerns Over Autonomous Vehicles
There are of course numerous concerns that the use of this technology brings about, many of which aren’t simply to naysay.
- Trust- How much can we trust technology, is to the point where we can be driving at 60 mph on the highway and feel safe that power wont cut out, and we careen off into another car or median?
- Fault- If an accident were to occur, how would insurance handle that if both vehicles were being driven autonomously? Could either party be to blame, or would the fault lie on the providers of the device?
- Weather- How well will the vehicle know how wet or icy the road is, and whether or not if loss of control were to occur, could the machine correct itself as fast as a human driver could?
- Unseen Dangers- Driving in the woods, you may notice a deer in the distance walking toward the road. A human driver would anticipate the animal trying to cross, but could a machine recognize that ahead of time?
- Car Repairs- If a vehicle starts to act funny, a human driver can tell whether its moving sluggishly, or a tire seems to have gone flat, or a headlight is out. Would a machine be able to recognize potential “unseen” hazards such as these?
In the end, this technology is far from being put into public use. Countless laws would have to be passed to allow it, public trust would have to be high enough to accept it, and many trial runs will have to occur in order for it to be perfected. Currently, Google has clocked over 200,000 miles in California with testing an autonomous vehicle on public roads, and things look bright. Not a single accident has occurred, and when watching footage, it’s a bit nerve racking when a pedestrian steps out in front of it as it is moving. But the vehicle calmly slows down to let them pass, which is more than some human drivers would even allow for. It can’t help but be called exciting, as it is.
If you are in need of a Denver oil change, transmission repair, or are simply interested in free transmission check to find out transmission repair prices, than visit AAMCO. Because those who know, go to AAMCO!
Suspensions Briefly Explained
Here at AAMCO Colorado, we hope to educate, as well as help others to have a better and more complete understanding of their vehicles. This week, we are going to be discussing suspensions. If you or a loved one has any issues relating to suspensions, or are in need of a Colorado auto mechanic in general, than please contact or visit one our many Colorado AAMCO locations.
Suspension Systems
A vehicles suspension system is comprised of springs, shock absorbers and links that connect a vehicle to the actual wheels. Suspensions systems serve two purposes: one is that they enhance the safety of the vehicle by making it more responsive to turning and breaking, and it jostles the vehicle and its occupants less in transit. Generally you would want a tighter suspension to increase the vehicles responsiveness and safety, but that would make the transit less comfortable as every bump and crack would be felt. So a fine line must be ridden in order to allow a suspension to serve both purposes effectively.
Stagecoach Suspensions
In the late 18th and early 19th century, most of all British horse carriages were equipped with some form of spring suspension. This could either be wooden as in the case of light weight, single horse drawn coaches. Or it could be made of steel for larger, multi horse drawn coaches. The heavier these coaches became, the more leaf layers that were needed in the spring suspension.
However, the suspensions made in Britain at the time were not suited for the difficult American terrain and roads. So a new form of suspension was developed at the Abbot Downing Company of Concord, New Hampshire. Rather than the sturdy metal springs coaches in Britain used, Abbot found that leather straps called, thoroughbraces, could be used to keep the passengers from bouncing up and down which the spring suspension caused on uneven roads. These leather straps allowed the coach to swing rather than bounce, they also kept them from overturning when cornered too fast.
Automobile Suspensions
The first automobiles were designed and developed as horse drawn vehicles, save for it being self propelled rather than actually being horse drawn. This brought about certain problems as the combustion engine allowed for much higher speeds to be reached than was previously available. Thus, the tires, brakes, suspensions and numerous other components had to be redone in order to be used in the first automobiles.
Passive Springs and Shock Absorbers
Traditional springs and shock absorbers are called passive suspensions, which are used on most vehicles found on the road today. The springs reduce the feeling of impact on uneven roads while the shock absorbers control the springs themselves, ensuring that you aren’t flung around.
There are many types of “springs” being used in vehicles nowadays, but here is a list of a few of them.
- Coil Spring: These are special types of torsion springs which act in torsion when the spring is compressed or extended.
- Air Spring: Air suspension is powered by an electric or engine driven compressor or air pump.
- Rubber Bushing: This is a type of vibration isolator, which provides insolation between two parts.
- Torsion Beam Suspension: This type of suspension is where both wheels are not independent and are attached to one another.
- Leaf Spring: The leaf spring dates back to medieval times, making it one of the oldest forms of suspension.
The shock absorbers on a vehicle have but a single task to accomplish, which is the dampening of the up and down motion that a vehicle creates from its springs when in motion. They are also necessary for the same reason while turning or breaking. If the vehicle was to bounce up and down, traction would be lessened and the trip itself would become unpleasant.
In all, suspension systems are very easy to understand, where they become difficult is when you begin to discuss the less common forms as they are numerous and can become complicated. As in military vehicles for example. So we will not dive into those, as very few people will find it useful. But if you feel your vehicle is in need of a check up, an experienced Colorado car mechanic can be found at any of our AAMCO locations found throughout the state.
What You Should Know About Fuel Injectors
Most people know very little about their automobiles. So to help with this, we are going to discuss a not so well known area of vehicles… Fuel Injectors. If your car is acting funny, and you are in need of a Colorado auto mechanic, there is no better place to go than to a certified AAMCO location.
Fuel Injector Systems
A Fuel Injection System is what allows fuel to be admitted into an internal combustion engine. In the past, vehicles used carburetors, but nowadays, fuel injectors have become the primary delivery system for fuel. Since their inception, numerous types have been created, and they are not all made equally.
The biggest difference between carburetors and fuel injectors is that a carburetor is dependent on the suction made by intake air to draw the fuel into the airstream. While a fuel injector atomizes the fuel by pumping it under high pressure through a small nozzle. Nowadays, fuel injection systems are created for specific types of fuel in mind. Some are made for various grades of fuel, while most are created to run gasoline or diesel.
Fuel Injector Objectives
As for many other things, the functions of a fuel injective system can vary dependent on their needs. Though, they all share one common task, which is to supply fuel to the combustion process. Beyond that, there are multiple objectives for different fuel injectors:
- Power Output: Some fuel injectors specifically attempt to increase the amount of power that is output.
- Fuel Efficiency: Fuel efficiency is important for vehicles that are primarily for transport, and not performance.
- Emissions Performance: All street legal vehicles have to pass emissions tests. Though there are vehicles not meant for regular street use.
- Accommodates Various Fuels: Certain vehicles have the ability to run different fuel types, so the fuel injector has to do the same.
- Reliability: Some fuel injectors are designed to last so long as they are maintained, while others do not concentrate in that area.
- Consistant Operation: The fuel injector needs to inject fuel consistently in order for the vehicle to maintain operation.
- Initial Cost: Cost matters to some, and less to others. So some injectors are built solely for the essentials while others are specialized.
- Repair/Maintenance Cost: Some injectors are easier to repair and maintain than others, it all depends on design.
- Diagnostic Capability: When diagnostics are run, some fuel injectors do not have the means to be tested as well as others.
Fuel Injector Benefits
Driver Benefits: Depending on the type of fuel injector, drivers will notice a quicker and smoother response in their throttle transitions. Their engines will start in a more dependable manner. Vehicles will operate better in different temperatures and with higher fuel efficiency.
Environmental Benefits: As a rule of thumb, fuel injection systems greatly increase fuel efficiency, meaning less will be used for the same amount of power output. The exhaust emissions are generally cleaner as fuel injectors reduces the concentration of the toxic byproducts being emitted from the engine. Since the exhaust is more reliably consistant, exhaust cleanup devices such as a catalytic converter are able to be optimized better to be more efficient themselves. Thus reducing toxins even further.
Hopefully this article helped to shed a little light on fuel injectors and their importance. If you are in need of a Colorado oil change, a Colorado brake maintenance check or looking for transmission repair prices, than please visit www.aamcocolorado.com to find a location near you and what services are being offered. Knowledge is power, and those that know go to AAMCO!
Tire Treads: What You Need To Know
Tires are the most critical, but also the most overlooked, component of a vehicles ability to move. A vehicle can technically still move forward with no engine in place, the engine is the propelling mechanism, while the tires are what allows the vehicle to be propelled. Sadly, at AAMCO we often notice cars running on tires half flat, trucks with little to no tread left, and even some that have foolishly driven on tires that have begun to fray. If you are in need of a tire repair, please check out what AAMCO locations
Unlike other parts to a vehicle, the only sign that a tire is going to fail is a visual one. No check tire lights come on (yet at least), so in order to know whether your tires are safe to drive on, you have to visually inspect them. You always see in movies and on TV someone walk over and kick the tires to ensure they’re good to go. Oddly though, unlike The Fonz, most people cannot hit something into working. Rather than strike the tire to ensure it’s resilient, you should be looking at the depth of the tread and ensure it hasn’t worn away, that the tire is properly inflated, and that there are no obvious signs of wear and tear. There is no need to kick the tire… unless of course it goes flat. You can kick a flat tire all you want, maybe, just maybe… you can pull a Fonz.
But our lack of concern over tires may simply be a result of our lack of knowledge on the subject. So to help clarify what comprises and makes a tire a tire, rather than a wheel, we are going to discuss treads. As a wheel can basically be anything round or circular used for various purposes. While a tire is specifically for vehicles, and what makes a tire different from a wheel is tread.
Tire Tread
The tread is the part of the tire that comes into contact with the ground. They are often designed to meet specific market demands either for certain weather conditions or for certain types of performances. The tread is either made of a rubber or rubber/composite, while the the tread itself is characterized by four geometrical shapes; Grooves, Lugs, Voids, and Sipes.
Grooves
Grooves are designed to channel water away from under the tire. There are various types of grooves depending on the need. High performance tires have grooves that are angles from the center of the tire out towards the sides. Which helps to flush the water out from underneath. There are even certain grooves in tires that flex as the tire moves, which acts as a pump for the water, sucking it up into the groove, channeling it out towards the side.
Lugs
Lugs are the part of the tread that actually makes contact to the ground, they are needed to provide traction. The lug, as it runs over the ground is compressed. As the tire continues, the lug returns to its normal shape. Amid this process, the tire releases variable forces in the vehicle which are referred to as Force Variation. Force Variation is essentially a fancy phrase to say that the tire is continually changing shape as it moves, but always returning to its normal figure. The Lugs themselves are also never identical in size or shape to help minimize the noise levels.
Voids
Voids are there to provide space for the lugs to shift and flex. They also help the grooves to disperse water from under the tire, as well as mud and snow. The void ratio is the space between lugs, the lower the void ratio the higher the contact area, the higher the void ratio the less the contact area.
Sipes
Sipes are the cuts across the tire that run perpendicular to the grooves. They help the grooves to allow water to escape from the center of the tire toward the sides which allows the tire to maintain traction and prevent hydroplaning. The Sipes also are also helpful to the Lugs, by allowing more space for them to flex.
Hopefully this article will help to shed some light on how tire tread helps to keep you safe on the road. If you are in need of a car tune up or a transmission repair please visit your local AAMCO dealer. AAMCO is now offering a free transmission check for those who feel it is needed. Because those who know, know to go to AAMCO!
An Interview with a Colorado AAMCO Customer
Recently, a new AAMCO customer named James paid a visit to a Broomfield AAMCO location. After he had been serviced, we caught up with him to ask how about his experience with AAMCO. James first mentioned that in late April he realized that he needed to have his vehicle checked up as his truck was making strange noises and not acting normally. Though, before he could have his vehicle looked at, it stopped working entirely. He called around and found that other transmission service providers were not getting back to him, they said that they would call but never did. James needed to have his car repaired, and he couldn’t wait. The distance he had to travel to work was great, and needed to be mobile again as fast as possible.
James called a Broomfield AAMCO location and found that they understood how urgently his vehicle needed to be repaired. AAMCO also offered to tow his vehicle at no extra charge to their shop location. Once there, they found that there were 8 parts total that needed to be replaced, and his transmission needed to be fully rebuilt. James found this out after his free AAMCO transmission check, which is available to anyone. James mentioned that he trusted their judgment and found them to honest. After his free check up, they found the various problems and made recommendations as to what can be done. James, being happy that he finally understood what was wrong, told them to proceed with his vehicle repairs.
AAMCO towed James’ vehicle on April 30th, and told him it was ready for him to pick up on May 3rd with all of the repairs made. Within that time, James mentioned he was very pleased with the communication he received from the shop, and he was never in the dark as to what was happening with his vehicle. He was pleased about a $100 off coupon he received, and was told that he should come back in after a week or so for another free inspection to ensure that all of the repairs made were holding up. He was also offered an extended warranty on his transmission. James believed this to be a worthwhile investment as the cost to that as opposed to having to rebuild another transmission in the future is quite significant.
We asked James on a scale of 1-10 what his experience was dealing with AAMCO and he emphatically answered a 9. When asked what kept it from a 10, he said “Nobody can receive a rating of 10 on anything, as that leaves no room for improvement.” He mentioned that he was completely satisfied with their work thus far, would use them again in the future, and he would recommend their services to anyone who needed transmission repair work done.
We are pleased to hear about another another satisfied customer. As the saying goes… those who know, go to AAMCO!
The Tell-Tale Signs Of A Failing Transmission
It was the famous Sherlock Holmes who mentioned that “Many people have the ability to see, but few are able to observe.” There is an art to observation pertaining to any activity. Even something as everyday and simple as walking. People can clearly “see” others walking around, but few would be able to “observe” that the length of a persons stride is directly related to their height. The taller the person… the longer the stride. This observation may be simple once stated, but the same can be said for many things.
Now walking is seemingly pretty straightforward, and little knowledge is needed to understand the above statement. However, there are countless areas in which you can “see” or “notice” something and not be able to “observe” the reasoning behind it due to a lack of knowledge. Many people use automobiles daily, yet few understand how they work. So when something is “noticed,” it often goes un-observed due to their lack of knowledge of automobiles.
One such area is a vehicles Transmission. There are certain signs that if “observed,” can make the difference between having to make Transmission Repairs or having to replace it entirely. Auto Repair Services are obviously going to be less expensive than the entire replacement of a transmission. This is of course dependent on whether it is “observed” early enough or not. These signs are also very difficult to recognize if you are not familiar with the mechanics behind automobiles. Thus your ability to “observe” the problem is limited, though you can clearly “see” something is wrong.
So to help shed some light on this otherwise dark subject, here are a few tidbits of information to help bring those who “see” something is wrong into “observing” something is amiss with their transmission. Now the reasoning behind these signs are varied, but so long as it can be “observed,” you will know perhaps where the problem persists.
- Regardless of whether you drive an automatic or manual, if the vehicle refuses to shift into gear.
- If the vehicle, while in neutral, makes a noisy or rattling sound.
- If there is a distinct burning smell.
- The vehicle mysteriously shifts out of gear and into neutral.
- With manual transmissions, a grinding sound occurs when trying to put the vehicle into a certain gear otherwise known as a dragging clutch.
- Once a vehicle has been parked for some time, if it is noticed that a fluid has been leaking.
- One sign that literally shows you, is the check engine light. Do not ignore this as most tend to do.
- If the vehicle oddly shakes while in neutral.
- It is to be noted that your transmission is supposed to switch gears on command, so any lag time with the gear shift should be recognized.
If any of the above problems are noticed, you may want to receive an AAMCO Free Transmission Check. It is safer and cheaper to have a preventative check up rather than wait to fix something that has failed due to negligence. To assist you in this, there are numerous AAMCO Transmission Locations found throughout Colorado which can further assist you in diagnosing the problem. Hopefully this short list can help some to recognize that their car needs a bit of attention, and when given, much can be learned. Remember, knowledge is power, and those that know… go to AAMCO!
Summer is here… Can your vehicle can get you where you want to go?
At AAMCO, we want to ensure that people are able to enjoy the summer as much as they can- which means they need to be able to get to where they are going, and they need to get there safely. Before taking any long distance trips, be sure that your vehicle is prepared for the trip as well. A car tune up may be something forgotten before departing, but the mistake may be realized while on the road and trouble arises. Upon a trip from Colorado to Nevada, the worst case scenario on many of the stretches of road there is overheating. Ensuring that your coolant fluids and all others are topped off before heading out is an easy precaution to prevent any mid-trip headaches from arising, especially through hot and arid areas.
Many Colorado residents love to travel off-road, which is especially difficult on vehicles. One area in particular are a vehicle’s brakes. Be sure to have a brake maintenance check before heading off and into the wild. You would hate to have your brakes either go out in the middle of your trip or even on the highway heading home. There are a few other strong points to make sure of before going off road. Check that your tires as well as your spare are all in good condition. Check your filters, belts and hoses and ensure that those as well are in good condition. It is also a good idea to take a peek under your car and make sure that everything appears sound and functioning.
The important thing is that you make sure all and any repairs are made before taking a trip, as while on the trip if a problem arises, chances are there will nothing an individual can do to fix it. And here at AAMCO we want to make sure any trips made are ones that the vehicle successfully makes it there and back, and it makes it there and back safely.
For more information on AAMCO services that will help make your trips this summer safer such as Colorado Springs Auto Repair, Colorado Springs Transmission Repair, and a Colorado Springs Oil Change, please visit your local AAMCO center for more details. Those who know, go to AAMCO!
