San Diego Auto Repair

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

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