San Diego Auto Repair

Knowing how to check the transmission fluid of your car can be very beneficial to extending the life of your engine and to heading off any potential problems with your car's transmission. Taking your car to a mechanic who is an expert when it comes to transmissions is the best option, but being able to check your car's transmission fluid on your own is probably the best maintenance that you can do for your transmission. The first thing to do at home is to read your owner's manual to see where your car's fluid reservoir is located. The vehicle's manufacturer will also recommend whether you should check the fluid level with the engine running or off. Park your car on a level surface and set the parking brake. The next step is to remove the dipstick from the top of the reservoir and make sure to check the fluid level on both sides of the stick. The dipstick has a line that indicates whether the fluid is full or not. Make sure that you repeat this process to ensure an accurate read ... read more

One of the bigger issues a car can have over time is with the transmission. Automatic transmissions, particularly if you do a lot of city driving, take a lot of wear and tear. Depending on the age and overall condition of your car, however, replacing the transmission is far more economical than buying a new automobile. Before paying the pricey dealership cost for this repair, consider finding an independant shop like Transmasters with experienced mechanics on staff. We have an on-site transmission facility, capable of either rebuilding your current transmission or replacing it if necessary. You don't have to worry about being without your car for too long, because we keep our parts department fully stocked to accomodate all major makes and models of vehicles. You can trust that you're getting quality workmanship at a fair price from our transmission experts. Problem? Diagnosis is critical When choosing a transmission shop, it's important to make sure the technicians on staf ... read more

Making sure that none of the fluids in your engine get too low or dirty is an important step to keeping it running smoothly and extending the life of your car. For things like windshield wiper fluid, there isn't much difference between one brand or another. However, when it comes to transmissions, there are many different types of transmission fluids, and it's very important that you use the correct one. A couple of important factors will go into this determination, including the specific make and model of your vehicle. Another piece of the puzzle is whether you need fluid for automatic transmissions or, if your car is a stick shift, manual transmission fluid. The best place to locate information on exactly what you need for your particular auto is in the owner's manual. Still scratching your head and asking yourself which transmission fluid should you use? Several ways to determine Beyond the type of transmission — standard vs. automatic transmission — which ty ... read more

Your car's transmission fluid is an oily liquid that primarily functions as a lubricant for the parts inside of the transmission. In cars with automatic transmissions, the fluid also does the job of a coolant, helps to transmit power from the engine to the car's transmission, cleans and protects metal surfaces, and conditions gaskets. Automatic transmissions use Automatic Transmission Fluid or ATF which is really a special type of oil. A variety of oils can be used with manual transmissions — regular motor oil, ATF, or even a heavyweight gear oil. Transmission fluid is very specialized, and the type that you use in your car depends upon its make and model and automatic vs. manual transmission. You need to consult your owner's manual regarding the type of transmission fluid that is recommended by the manufacturer. Because the transmission fluid plays so many vital roles in keeping your car in good running condition, it's important to check the level of transmission fluid a ... read more

The answer to this question relies heavily on your priorities. Automatic transmission cars cost more, are more expensive to maintain and use slightly more gasoline. If your budget is number one on the list, then a car with a manual transmission is your best bet. In addition, if you're concerned with the handling aspect of your driving experience, manual transmissions generally give the driver more of a sense of control. Automatic transmission vehicles, on the other hand, require quite a bit less finesse when driving the car. Since the vehicle itself is changing gears at the appropriate speed, you don't have to keep a constant eye on the tachometer to be ready to switch gears when the RPM's go up or down to a certain level. Because most consumers value convenience over cost in the United States, the great majority of new cars are equipped with automatic transmissions. Let's face it, multi-tasking has become a way of life in America. How can you drive while talking on your Blueto ... read more

If your car has been parked for several days, and, when you move it, you notice fresh drops or a puddle of fluid in your garage or on your driveway, you could be losing transmission fluid. Most cars have several different types of fluids, so it's important to try and determine where the leak is coming from. One way to determine whether or not your car is leaking transmission fluid is to place some newspaper, a large sheet of aluminum foil, or a clean piece of cardboard under your car when it's parked for the night. If the drips and stains that you're seeing are reddish, pink, or light brown in color and appear to be coming more from the center of the car, it's often a sign that there's a problem with the car's transmission. Transmission fluid is slick like motor oil, and often smells like burnt petroleum, especially as it ages. In most cases, the cause of the leak is due to: Leak in the transmission pan Damaged fluid lines or pan gasket Faulty torque converter ... read more

Performing regular maintenance on your automobile is vital if you want to keep it running smoothly over the years. All vehicles come with manuals that provide the manufacturer's recommendations regarding maintaining your car. Generally, they'll include a chart of which services should be performed each time your odometer hits certain mileage totals. One of the most important ways to keep car engines in good condition is to have your engine oil checked and replaced on a regular basis. Older models of cars need this service performed every 3,000 miles, but newer models actually require an oil change less frequently. Many can go 6,000 miles or more without needing a motor oil change. Standard transmission cars and trucks require the addition of gear oil to keep the transmission and gearing system lubricated and free of debris. Yes, there is a difference When comparing the appearance of engine oil vs. gear oil, you may be tempted to think they're the same thing, but they're ... read more

The best way to find an excellent auto shop to fix your transmission is to research transmission repair reviews. You want to find a shop with glowing comments from long term clients who wouldn't take their family owned cars anywhere else for service. A google or yelp search for a San Diego repair shop that more than meets this requirement will turn up Transmasters Transmission & Auto Care. At Transmasters, we pride ourselves on providing excellent service. In fact, we feel we have the best customers because they not only keep coming back, but they send their friends and family members to our shop. Listen to what people are saying You don't need to take our word for it. Read our transmission repair shop reviews like this one recently left on Yelp by a satisfied customer: "Sam and his crew has been helping my family with our auto repair needs for many years. They've always offered us fair pricing, fast service and quality results, which keeps us coming back." This rev ... read more

Is your car making funny noises or does the engine seem to catch or shudder when the gears shift? It may be time for a maintenance check, with particular attention paid to your transmission. Taking care of your car includes regularly replacing old, dirty fluid with new transmission fluid. Not only will your car's engine function better, but the ride will get smoother. You may be asking what kind of transmission fluid do I need? It can be confusing when deciding what to buy because there are many different options at the auto parts store. The first point to consider is whether you need manual vs. automatic transmission fluid. Although it may seem like a minor detail, it's actually quite important that you use the correct blend recommended by the manufacturer of your vehicle. One of the main differences to be aware of includes the thickness of the fluid. So many to choose from Because everyday driving can cause a lo ... read more

Is it necessary to incur the cost to change transmission fluid at the intervals recommended by your car's manufacturer? The answer is a yes — both to keep your car running smoothly and to avoid the more costly bill of having to replace a transmission that has been ruined by bad fluid. This is true for both transmission fluid types although for different reasons. The fluid present in an automatic car degrades because it is subject to high heat, and manual transmission fluid collects fine metal shavings from the the bearings, gears and synchronizers over time. If you're concerned about saving money, you may be asking yourself is it hard to change your transmission fluid or can you do it yourself? This depends on your tolerance for how long it takes, which is different for every type of vehicle, and whether you're up for a dirty job. Removing the pan and drain plugs if necessary and dealing with the old, dirty fluid can be very messy. Also, making sure you do the job properly is ... read more