San Diego Auto Repair

If your transmission appears to be running rough or you believe it's time to clean it and replace fluids, you may wonder what transmission fluid is currently in your car. This depends on a few factors. If you purchased your car new, the type of fluid will be listed in the manufacturer's handbook. If your car is used, you may have received maintenance records from the original owner that tell you what type and brand of transmission fluid was last added to the car. In either case, when it's time to put in new transmission fluid, your best bet is always to refer back to the manufacturer's guidelines. If you're missing the booklet, you can check the website to see what is recommended for your year, make, and model. Because transmission performance relies on making sure you put in the right type of fluid, you may want to consult the transmission experts at Transmasters. They're educated on all aspects of both automatic and manual transmissions and will know exactly what your car require ... read more

This is a question often asked of one of our transmission experts in San Diego by a customer who is interested in buying or working on a vintage car. They may notice on the dipstick or in the owner's manual that the car requires an automatic transmission fluid, called Type A, that is no longer available. That's because Type A Transmission fluid was put into older vehicles produced as far back as the 1950's to lubricate automatic transmissions in the car's engine. But since Type A fluid contained whale oil, which routinely broke down at high temperatures, newer model cars no longer contain it. Beginning in the 1970's, manufacturers began building transmissions that required different versions of automatic transmission fluid that were more eco-friendly in terms of reducing emissions and improving fuel efficiency. In today's day and age, if you're trying to restore a classic car, it's pretty difficult to come by an older version of ATF, like Type A. The modern version If y ... read more

The transmission is one of the most vital parts of your car's engine. It is always in use when your car is running which means that it undergoes a good deal of wear and tear. When you buy a new car, it will usually come with a warranty that covers repairs and replacement up to a certain time period or mileage on the odometer. Once you reach that limit, transmission repairs will have to be paid for out of pocket. The first step is to have it reviewed by a trained mechanic who specializes in transmissions. They can diagnose the problem and provide an estimate of what it will cost to fix. When asking the question how much does a new transmission cost, there are a number of variables that come into play. Is your car automatic or manual, foreign or domestic, and of course, how serious is the issue? Depending on the answer to the last question, you may be able to either fix the existing part, purchase a brand new one, or buy ... read more

A transfer case is part of the drivetrain system on vehicles with four-wheel drive. The job of the transfer case is to engage the four-wheel drive when activated and to disengage it when deactivated. It splits the power coming out of the transmission, sending it to the front and rear wheels.The transfer case is located behind the transmission, and it's connected to both the front and rear drive shafts. Most transfer cases are either chain- or gear-based, requiring a special lubricant called "gear oil". The difference between engine oil and gear oil is the thickness or "viscosity", gear oil being more viscous. This allows a type of lubrication referred to as "bath oiling". The bottom of the internal parts of the transfer case sit inside the gear oil, and, as the gears rotate, the oil sticks to the gears, keeping them well-lubbed. Problems with your car's transfer case can arise due to a fluid leak. If you are experiencing a bitter smell coming from under the hood of your car, yo ... read more

A transfer case is a device that splits a vehicle's engine power and directs it to the front and rear drive axles of a four-wheel drive vehicle. Common transfer case problems can include the following issues: Difficulty shifting into certain gears Noisy operation in all gears "Jumping" out of the 4×4 low range Leaks from the vent or output shaft seals When providing your repair options, Transmasters auto repair shop is experienced at troubleshooting the issue and letting you know if the problem has a simple solution, or if we'll need to rebuild your transfer case. In addition, we can give you a breakdown of parts and labor necessary for the job, and any pricing involved. We work on every kind of vehicle's transfer case Whether you own a Chevy, GMC, Jeep, or other kind of car or truck, we've got the knowledge and experience to address your transfer case needs. From replacing fluids to detecting and repairing leaks to complete rebuilds, our mecha ... read more

What you should know about your transfer case problems: Miramar A transfer case is a device that splits a vehicle's engine power and directs it to the front and rear drive axles of a four-wheel drive vehicle. It is mounted behind the transmission and both front and rear drive shafts connect to it. It contains either gears or a chain drive system in which the power is distributed from the transmission to the axles. The transfer case will typically have the ability to shift between two-wheel drive, four-wheel drive high range, four-wheel drive low range and neutral. When operating in two-wheel drive mode, the transfer case directs power to the rear axle of the vehicle. The internal components of the case are not being turned under power from the engine. The gears inside the case are being turned and lubricated by the turning tires and wheels of the vehicle only as it is being driven. In the neutral position, the transfer case prevents the vehicle's transmission from being connect ... read more

Click here for Part 1 of this article: About your transfer case problems A list of some more of the basic problems, and some solutions Your transfer case is noisy, or "jumps" out of the 4×4 low range: Your transfer case may not be fully engaged. Stop your vehicle, shift into Neutral, and then engage 4L (4×4 low gear). Your shift linkage may be loose, worn or binding. Tighten, repair or lubricate the linkage as necessary. The shift fork may be cracked, the inserts worn, or the fork binding on the rail. Disassemble the unit and repair all problematic parts. It's also a good idea to Inspect the bushings on the linkage; they may need to be replaced. There are lubricant leaks from the vent, or the output shaft seals: The transfer case may be overfilled. If so, you need to drain it until the fluid is at the proper level. The vent may be clogged or ja ... read more

If you drive a four-wheel, rear wheel or all-wheel drive automobile, you will need to perform regular maintenance on the transfer case. For many cars, increasing mileage means that you may run into some common transfer case problems. For example, are you hearing strange sounds coming from the engine or have you noticed that the transmission is not shifting very smoothly? Both could be the result of a problem within the transfer case. Before you encounter a transfer case problem, however, the folks at TransMasters Transmissions & Auto Care recommend you bring your car in for regular checks. Two of the things we'll be looking for are making sure that the fluid inside the case is not leaking and checking that the pump inside the transfer case is not rubbing against the side. This can result in a hole through which the transfer fluid may leak. It's particularly important to note that this can happen even if you haven't seen any leakage under the vehicle. Diagnosing the issue ... read more

The function of the transfer case in a 4-wheel drive vehicle is to redirect power from the transmission to other systems. For example, it transfers power to the front and rear axles when you shift into 4-wheel drive mode, enabling all four wheels to drive the vehicle. And, the transfer case is what gives you the ability to choose between 2 and 4-wheel drive. Even if you don't regularly use the 4-wheel drive option on your car, you still need transfer case maintenance because, if this component stops working, your car won't run. Making sure to follow your vehicle's regular service recommendations is vital to the health and longevity of your engine. That service should include the transfer case because it plays an important role in rotating and reserving power whether or not you use the 4-wheel drive option. And, transfer case problems, if not addressed, can result in a costly replacement. On the flip side, regular maintenance such as changing out the oil and fluids is relatively ine ... read more

One of the biggest dilemmas we all face at one time or another is whether or not our car is worth repairing. We weigh the pros and cons; expensive fixes vs. the cost of a brand new car, and try to make an educated guess. However, unless you're a trained and experienced mechanic, it's hard to know if all your car needs are cheap, easy repairs or a major overhaul. Your biggest resource in this case is a trusted local mechanic, such as the highly qualified professionals at TransMasters Transmissions and Auto Care. With two locations serving the greater San Diego area, you're invited to stop in at the shop nearest you and take advantage of our knowledgeable staff. We'll help you compare the price of getting your existing car into great running condition against that of purchasing a new one. We can also offer an estimate of how many more miles you can expect from your car once the repairs have been made. Would it be better to buy another? The benefits of a brand new vehicle are ... read more