What's Wrong With My Transmission
Transmission is one of the most important mechanical systems. Without a working transmission, your engine would not be able to send power to your wheels. It is highly recommended to repair your transmission if there ever is an issue so your vehicle can remain in great driving shape. Here are some common indicators that your transmission needs repair;
Slipping Transmission
Slipping transmission is the number one sign your transmission needs repair. If you are experiencing automatic transmission slipping, it can feel like your are driving in a certain gear and it suddenly change for no apparent reason. The noise from the engine may also change in pitch or start to sound like it's whining. If you find your car is having trouble shifting, be sure to schedule transmission repair right away.
Shifting Troubles
Along with a slipping transmission, rough shifting is another sign that your transmission is in need of restoration. Some of the sign can include; your car refusing to go into gear or hearing a loud thudding sounds as your vehicle attempts to shift. You may also find it is getting more and more difficult to accelerate your vehicle.
Leaking Fluid
If there are fluid leaking, it is a clear indication that your transmission is having problems. Transmission fluid is in charge of cooling, powering and lubricating your transmission. Without proper level of transmission fluid, the safety of your transmission is being compromised. If you notice a bright red stain underneath your car where you park, have a technician diagnose the issues.
My Engine Won't Start
No matter what vehicle you are driving, regardless of the age, make or model, engine problems are sure to eventually happen. Proper maintenance can help reduce the needs for a car repaid; it is not a guarantee that a car will not break down. The more kilometers a car accumulates, the chances of an engine problem increases. Keep in mind that not all engine problems are serious. Often, the cause is something very simple like a dirty air filter or a loose gas cap. Here are some common engine problems your vehicle may face:
Engine Won't Start
A non-starting condition can be a common cause of an engine problem. If there is a clicking noise but the engine does not crack, it generally indicates a battery issue. Here are some common reasons an engine won't start:
- Low or discharged battery
- Starter motor relay failure
- Ignition switch failure
- Defective fuel pump
- Clogged fuel filter
- Be sure to have a certified Technician check your engine if you're experiencing any of these issues.
Overheating
A low coolant level generally cause overheating. A quick check of the coolant overflow reservoir will indicate if the coolant is leaking. If you vehicle is frequently overheating, it can be expensive to repair, so proper maintenance of the cooling system is important in order to maintain the quality of life for both the coolant and vehicle.
Here are some common reasons for overheating:
- Faulty thermostat
- Dirty or low coolant levels
- Defective radiator cap
- Non-functioning cooling fan
- Kinked or broken radiator cap
It is important to follow maintenance schedule. Services such as oil change, oil and fuel filter replacement and tune-ups are crucial in order to keep a car performing at its peak condition. Small maintenance such as changing the air filter can make a big difference in the vehicle's performance. Proper maintenance will help prevent potential engine problems and breakdowns.
Why Should I Change My Brake Fluid?
Brake fluid is almost a forgotten fluid for many vehicle drivers; even those who regularly check their engine oil and tire pressure. While brake fluid is often neglected, as the lifeblood of your braking system, it has one of the biggest jobs of all.
Brake fluid transmits the pressure from your brake pedal to the mast cylinder and on to the calipers that clamp the brake pads and stop your wheels. Without brake fluid there are no brakes.
When should you change your brake fluid?
- Although other fluids have expectations as to when a change or flush is required, brake fluid replacement has no standard between manufacturers.
- Replace brake fluid every two years or 40,000 kilometers to prevent brake failure.
- Replace brake fluid anytime a major brake replacement is being performed to ensure the brake system continues to work as designed.
What would you notice if your brake fluid was dangerously low or contaminated with water?
Low pedal
Spongy or dropping pedal ( especially if you're stepping on it several times as you drive down a hill)
High, firm pedal, which is a result of waiting too long for repair and some components have rusted and no longer move
While you are changing your break fluid, you should also learn about changing oil.
What's Wrong With My Battery
If you are having trouble starting your car, or you find that your car is not starting, see if it is because of a faulty battery. A car battery should last you around four to five years. It is not made to hold a charge for that long, so the car's alternator recharges it while you drive.
Signs your battery is dead
- Low humming sound when attempting to start the car
- Multiple jump starts
- Low to no accessory power
- Slow Engine crank
- Battery leak
- Swollen or bloated battery case
- If your battery is experiencing any of these issues, then it is time for a new battery
Factors that affect battery life
Extreme temperature can take a toll on your battery life and its performance. From the hot summer day to the freezing cold winter weather, it can shorten the life of your battery due to more chemical activity inside the battery.
Believe it or not, short trips can affect the battery. Short trips mean the car will not receive enough daily use to fully recharge the battery, so long distance driving can cause your battery to suffer as a result.
A dirty battery wears away faster than a clean battery. Dirt can also cause your battery to loose its juice faster than normal.
If you are having trouble starting your vehicle, here are the steps to jump starting your car.
Why Is Car Making Noise?
Noises are part of operating a vehicle, however there are some noises that you should not avoid.- If you hear any sound when turning a corner it is more likely this is related to the steering wheel. It either needs to be lubricated or is damaged and need replacement.
- If you hear a clunking sound when braking, it could be a brake caliper is damaged, missing or not mounted properly.
- If you hear a flapping sound, it could mean something is interfering with the fan or there is a belt that is disintegrating.
- If you are driving a manual and you hear grinding while shifting, it could be the clutch. The clutch is either worn or requires adjusting. It could also indicate a deeper problem within transmission.
- Hearing any hissing or sizzling sound under the hood when the engine is first shut off, something is leaking. Coolant or oil could be on a heating engine part such as the exhaust manifold or the engine could be overheating.
- If you hear a low pitch humming or whirling sound under the car, it could be for multiple reasons.
- If it changes when you are accelerating, it may need lubricant, the transmission may be falling, the universal joints may be worn or wheel bearing could be shot.
- If you hear a roaring sound that increases with acceleration, the firs thing to check is the exhaust system as it could be damaged. Another issue could be the transmission.
- If you hear any of these noises then have a qualified technician inspect your vehicle to prevent anything harmful happening to your vehicle.
Tires Tires Tires
How to balance your tires It is a must to balance your wheels after the tires have been mounted, and it should also be done regularly every time you do a tire rotation. Balancing your wheels can increases the life of the tires, and saves you some money in the long run. If the wheels are not balanced, your vehicle may experience static vibration, along with vibration to the steering wheel, poor fuel mileage and maybe unsafe driving. Here is how you can balance your tires
- Remove any previous wheel weights which may be present on the wheel. They complicate the issues and make it harder to balance the tire.
- Place the tire and wheel on the balancer by inserting the shaft through the wheel hub and securing it in place. Make sure the wheel is as centered as possible on the balancer.
- Spin the wheel gently in the balancer. You will notice the heaviest part of the wheel be drawn to the bottom and lightest part to the top. Allow it to settle in that position, and then mark the lightest part on the tire with a piece of chalk. Repeat the process to make sure you've marked the correct spot.
- In order to counter the imbalance of the tire attach wheel weights, adhesive side first to the part of the wheel just below the spot on the tire you just marked.
- Move the wheel so that the weighted part is in the 3 o'clock position. Release the wheel to see if it is balanced. If it rolls clockwise and the weighted position in on the bottom, it means you added too much weight but, if it rolls back up to the top, then you did not add enough.
- Secure the wheel weights to the wheel a little further by using duct tape or similar adhesives. The adherent used in wheel weights is not usually very strong and can use some help in staying where it is supposed to.
- Remount the wheel to the car, make sure the lug nuts are secure
- These are the steps to balancing your tires. Or you can book an appointment with Prima Mazda and let us do the job for you so you can relax.
Tire Rotation Tire rotation is about moving the tires of a vehicle from one to position to another. It is one of the easiest vehicle maintenance, and very important. If it is done correctly, it can extend the life of your tires, improve your gas mileage, and ensure your car handles in a steady and predictable manner when you need to make a sudden turn or stop. Here are 4 ways you can rotate your tires
Tires should be rotated every six month or 10, 000 to 12, 000 kilometers. Different types of tires If you haven't noticed, tires are what keep your car moving…literally.
What does go unnoticed are the different types of tires. Here are five common tires: Summer tires Summer tires are mostly used during the summer (obviously!).
These are meant to used in dry and slightly wet conditions. They are not recommended for driving in cold temperature or on snow ice.
Summer tire provide best traction during warm weather. Winter Tires Winter tires are an essential for Canadians!
Winter tires incorporate different types of rubber and treads that maximize traction in snow ice and the great Canadian winter weather.
All-Season tires Depending on when and where you are driving, all-season tires are meant to be driven all year abound.
However, all-season tires are not always perfect. Although you get versatility and few maintenance visits, you lose performance over more specialized tires.
They are not as effect as winter tires on snowy roads and highways.
Performance Tires In the beginning they were only found in exotic cars, however times have changed and now there are performance tires all types of cars, trucks and SUV.
Truck tires There are tires available for different models for work and performance- Utility: The utility tires resist wear the most and they provide advanced traction for snow, mud, and off-road driving.
- All-terrain: These tires are usually versatile and they offer more options for on or off road use.
- Highway Use: These tires are designed with enhanced compounds to provide smoother rides, and can be used all season.
- Performance: These tires are built to withstand speed while providing better braking and handling in all road conditions.
- Off-road: These tires are meant for challenging off-road conditions and able to power through snow, slit, mud and more.
Worn tires Worn tires - especially bald ones can be deadly on wet roads. The tread skims the water surface and the vehicle won't responds to the steering wheel. If you have worn tires are looking to change visit Prima Mazda to find the right tires for you.
Car Repairs
When to replace engine air filter Over time, your engine air filter will collect dirt and debris and needs to be replaced. Replacing the engine filter is an important maintenance that is often overlooked by drivers. Typical you should replace the air filter every 24, 000 km to 40, 000 km however, confirm with owners manual to determine your cars specific recommendation. Often you should be able to tell just by looking when a filter needs to be replaced. Air filters on most engines are fairly easy to access however, if you have trouble locating it then check your owner's manual for assistance. Clogged air filter can hurt acceleration, so it is best to periodically check the engine air filter to see if it needs replacing.Carbon Air Filters Carbon filters catches dust and pollen and other air born pollutant coming into the car, which can ruin the driving experience and can be unhealthy. You should always change your filter every 15,000 km or yearly but depending on the environment that can change. It is made of multi layer design to absorb as much as possible. Every time you have your car checked, make sure to take a look at the filter to see if it needs changing. Dents on car No matter how careful you are with your car, there will be that one shopping cart, or a random football or out-of-nowhere light post that can cause a dent. If you get any small dents or dings then here are some tips to fixing them. If you see the paint has scratched off the surface, touch it up with paint. Make sure to take care of any rust, dings or dent before you prime and paint the vehicle. If a steel surface has been pushed in and hasn't been badly creased, you can try to pop it back into place a rubber plunger. It may take a couple of tries before you are successful, but keep in mind this will not work on plastic body parts. If you have small dents in a steel part, you can attempt to hammer them out by placing a flat piece of metal on the outer side of the vehicle and banging the dent from the underside with a flat-ended hammer. This is something you have to be very careful or you will end up with new bumps. Do not try this with aluminum, which can stretch or try with plastic, which is likely to crack. If you have very small dings or places where the paint has chipped, you can fill them in with glazing putty. If the damaged area is larger than a very small and shallow ding, you will have to use body filler however, it would be best recommended to have a technician fix them. Book an appointment with Prima Mazda for all dent repairs. Cracked Windshield repair Windshields are designed to provide structural support for the vehicle along with standing up to stress of driving on highways however, damages are inevitable. Most chips and cracks on windshield can be repaired however, it also depends size, type location and depth of the damage. It is best to have a technician evaluate the damages to determine if the windshield is reparable. So book an appointment with Prima Mazda for your windshield repair. Axles Repair Inspecting axle regularly will prevent more expensive repairs in the long run. The cost to repair car axle can dramatically increase if you have to replace one or both axles. Functions of your car axles The axles are what provide power to the front and rear wheels to the car. In order to stay in good working shape, they should be regularly maintained and repaired. If you begin to notice shimmying, shaking or shuddering while driving schedule an appointment with Prima Mazda and have a technician take a look. They are able to detect developing issues just from a visual inspection so it's best to have them check it out. Replacing your car's axles will cost a pretty penny, in order to prevent that, have our technician inspect your vehicle by booking an appointment with Prima Mazda.Multi-point inspection Multi-point inspection means your vehicle is be checked over in a number of key areas to determine if there are any upkeep that should be performed to improve the longevity of the vehicle.Here is what the Mazda Multi-Inspection includes.
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