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Morgan Automotive Repair

5 Signs Your Car Needs Transmission Service

Dealing with car issues is never a fun experience. From costly repair bills to time missed from work, it can all be a very annoying process. While these car repairs usually only create minor inconveniences, larger repairs can be detrimental to your finances and well-being. Examples include an engine blowout and a transmission failure. When one of these happens to your vehicle, the repairs can cost thousands of dollars. In order to prevent one of these scenarios from happening, it’s best to take care of car issues once they happen and to make sure to visit an auto repair shop every few months for a checkup. Another tactic to remember is to notice key signs that your car is having problems—especially with your transmission. In this post, we’ll explain 5 signs to look out for that might indicate your transmission needs servicing.

Issues When Shifting Gears

Whether you have a manual or automatic transmission, your vehicle should switch gears with ease. If you notice that your car is acting strangely when shifting gears, or it doesn’t switch gears when it should, then you might be dealing with a transmission issue. When your transmission fluid is dark and sludgy, you could most likely use a transmission flush—and this should fix your gear-shifting problem.

Strange Sounds From Your Transmission

Another indication that you may need transmission service is when strange sounds are coming from your transmission. Over time, your transmission will begin to see come common wear and tear. However, if you go too long without caring for your transmission, the fluid can become sludgy and dirty, which can cause the grinding sound you hear. If this is happening to you, be sure to check the fluid and have it examined by a professional if the fluid appears brown or black.

Delay in Movement

If your vehicle has been unresponsive once gears are shifted, then you could have a transmission issue. Normal-functioning gears move from one another with ease, and there shouldn’t ever be a delay in the process. But if your transmission is using old, sludgy fluid, or there is another issue, then it’s normal for your vehicle to stall for a few seconds before switching gears.

Leaking Fluid

While the other signs are a little difficult to notice, leaking fluid is pretty simple to detect. However, you just have to look for it. If you notice that your transmission is acting strangely, then be sure to check your fluid levels and look for leaks. If you determine that you have a leak, then visit an auto repair shop ASAP.

If You Don’t Remember When It’s Been Serviced

Whether you’ve had your car for ten years or your just bought it three weeks ago, it can be hard to know when it’s time for transmission service. Typically, your car should receive transmission service every 60,000 to 100,000 miles, but it depends on the model of your vehicle. If you have no idea when your car had transmission service, then visit an auto repair shop for an inspection.

Given the cost of a new transmission and how vital it is to your vehicle, having transmission service is extremely important. In order to ensure top-notch performance from your ride, be sure to take your car in for a checkup every few months or earlier if you notice something abnormal.

A Quick Checklist for Buying an Older Used Car

Modern cars are lasting longer than ever before. Advances in automotive machinery and technology are empowering car manufacturers to build better and better quality vehicles.

Higher quality, longer-lasting vehicles are a win for consumers, generally speaking. But the used car market has suffered some disruption. It’s not uncommon to buy used cars at 100,000 or even 150,000 miles these days—and that’s at the nicer used car lots.

If you’re in the market for an older used car, one with some significant mileage on it already, you need to know what to watch out for. Here’s a quick checklist for buying an older used car.

1. Watch Out for Rust

Rust. It’s been called “car cancer” and worse. Today’s cars may well last for 200,000 miles or more, but not if rust gets them first. If you spot significant rust on the underside of a vehicle you’re looking at, be careful.

Of course, not all rust is created equal. Cars that have spent time in certain regions (like coastal Florida) will almost certainly have some. A little surface rust (or even a lot in certain unimportant places) might not be a big deal. If you’re not sure, check with a reputable auto repair shop before buying.

2. Know the Signs of Flood and Water Damage

Even if you don’t see rust, look for signs of water damage. If a vehicle has been flooded, rust is soon to follow. When Hurricane Harvey hit Houston, millions of cars were partially or fully submerged. Up to 500,000 were completely destroyed according to Cox Automotive estimates. It’s the ones that weren’t destroyed you need to worry about because many have made their way to the resale market.

Many of these flooded vehicles have been cleaned up. Unscrupulous salespeople might try to conceal the car’s history. Not sure how to tell if a car has been flood-damaged? Here’s a helpful video.

3. Check the Brake Fluid

Before you buy, check the brake fluid. Open the hood and find the brake fluid reservoir. If you aren’t sure what to look for, check the owner’s manual. (If your used car doesn’t have an owner’s manual, that might be a bad sign, but you can probably find one online.) Brake fluid shouldn’t be dark, and the level shouldn’t drop below the line. If either of these is the case, don’t buy the car without approval from your auto repair shop.

4. Check the Tires

Check the tread depth on the tires, and inspect tires for visible damage like cracks or punctures. A reputable car lot will replace damaged or bald tires before the sale. In many states, this is required by law. But let’s be honest: some lots might not “notice” unless you do.

5. Get a Pre-Purchase Inspection

Once you find the car you think you want, take it to a reputable auto repair shop for a pre-purchase inspection. Mechanics do these all the time, and they know better than most of us what to watch out for. If you have specific concerns, let your mechanic know those, too.

Are you looking for a pre-purchase inspection? We can help! Contact us today to make an appointment.

4 Reasons Your Car Shakes When You Drive

Do you have a car that shakes when you drive? If so, it’s understandable you’re concerned about what’s going on.  A proper diagnosis of the problem is the first step to repair. For that reason, you may want to stop by your local auto repair shop to get an expert’s opinion.

There are a number of possible reasons your car may be shaking. Here are a few of the more common ones to consider. 

Problems With Your Tires

When diagnosing your “auto shakes”, start simple. Look at your tires to see if there’s an obvious issue going on. There’s a good chance the culprit is a faulty tire. If so, you’ll be looking at a relatively affordable repair. 

A tire with low air pressure or debris stuck in it could be causing problems. You also may have wheels that aren’t aligned properly.

Your Brakes Can Cause the Shakes

Another possible reason for your bumpy ride could be faulty brakes. Some telltale signs include brakes that are either overly sensitive or not responsive enough. Another indicator is moaning or squealing sounds when driving.

It’s a smart idea to get your vehicle looked at by a professional as soon as possible when it comes to brake repairs. The first reason for this is to protect your safety. The second is that operating your vehicle with faulty brakes could cause additional components in your brake system to fail. Having to replace more parts than you initially needed is certainly worth avoiding.

Suspension Problems

The suspension system of your vehicle is a critical aspect of your vehicle operating smoothly. It also helps you keep your tires on the pavement.

Because of this, if a problem arises with your suspension, you’ll definitely feel it. If your car tends to bounce before stopping, seems to lean to one side or struggles to absorb the shock of driving over bumps or potholes, a suspension issue could be what’s going on.

You can stop into your local auto repair shop to see if you need a suspension repair or spring replacement. Driving a vehicle with a faulty suspension system is hard on other vehicle parts. For that reason, it’s a good idea to get your suspension problems resolved as soon as possible.

Transmission Problems

We saved the least desirable of the four most common reasons your vehicle shakes for last. No one’s excited to hear they have transmission problems.

We hope this isn’t to blame, but if it is, you’ll likely experience bumping when shifting gears. Like the other potential reasons why your car might be shaking, it’s important to get your vehicle issues resolved quickly.

Especially in the case of transmissions, driving with a damaged one will only cause more problems, leading to increased repair costs.

Are You Experiencing Shaking, Rumbling, Bumping or Vibrating When Driving?

If so, it’s quite possible that one of the problems mentioned could be what’s going on. Although auto repairs can be frustrating, there’s no need to fret.

Your local auto repair shop can properly diagnose the reason your vehicle shakes and resolve it. The best day to get those problems taken care of is today.  And with your trusted mechanic, you’ll be back on the road in no time!

Understanding the Difference Between Premium Gasoline and Regular Gasoline

There is a pervasive idea that using premium grade gas is better for your car than regular gasoline. Some people claim that it makes your car run more efficiently and will improve fuel economy.  Also, producers mix in special additives like detergents that keep the fuel system clean. It makes sense that using better fuel would increase performance, right?  In reality, most cars don’t require premium level gasoline and would actually be better served by using regular gas. To understand why, we first need to break down how gasoline is rated.

The Meaning of Octane Rating Numbers

A major component of gasoline is a group of flammable chemical compounds called octanes. Researchers use a specific octane, isooctane, as the standard for measuring how much compression the gas can withstand before combusting. If the fuel ignites prematurely while being compressed in the cylinder, it can create small explosions inside the engine. Known as knocking, these explosions will decrease your car’s performance and can seriously damage the engine. 

The numbers you see on fuel pumps show how the gas performed against 100% isooctane. In the US, gas stations typically offer octane ratings of 87 (regular), 88–90 (mid-grade), and 91–94 (premium). Higher octane ratings mean the fuel can withstand more compression before igniting, which decreases the potential for knocking. Lower octane ratings mean the fuel will ignite more easily when compressed, which increases the chance of your engine knocking. 

Premium Gasoline and High-Pressure Engines

Another part of the premium versus regular gasoline question is whether or not your car has a high-compression engine, is equipped with supercharging, or has turbocharging. These systems work by drawing more air into the cylinder to mix with the fuel and increase the amount of compression on the fuel mixture. The higher compression requires premium gas to prevent engine knocking. However, most vehicle engines don’t produce enough compression to take advantage of the higher octane levels of premium gas. Instead, check your car’s owner manual to find the recommended fuel rating to use. 

What Happens If I Use The Wrong Gas?

In the event you fill up with premium gasoline when your engine only needs regular or mid-grade, it’s unlikely to cause you any major trouble beyond a possible drop in fuel economy. Just go back to the recommended fuel grade the next time you fill up. To get the same “cleaning” benefits of premium gas, you can easily buy a bottle of fuel system cleaner to add to your tank. 

Using regular gas in an engine calibrated for premium is more problematic due to the increased likelihood of knocking.  While many newer vehicles can adjust the spark timing to help reduce the severity of the knocking, your engine will still be running poorly. Prolonged use of the wrong fuel grade can irreversibly damage the engine and emissions control system. You should switch back to premium gasoline as soon as possible as well as visit an auto repair shop to have them run a diagnostic scan and check for any damage.

What to do if your Power Steering Stops Working

With the help of power steering, you can easily maneuver your car around corners and navigate through traffic. Without it, you will be using your strength to turn your vehicle’s wheels in the right direction, a task that can be particularly challenging, especially with the weight of today’s’ cars. This makes power steering a vital component of your vehicle function.

How Your Power Steering Works

Even though your power steering system is important, it is not significantly complex. There is a pump to maintain pressure and fluid used to control the motion of the pistons and the valves. The hydraulics will take the pressure off of the gears and do most of the work for you when you turn the steering wheel. 

Signs That Your Power Steering is About to Fail

It is crucial to know the signs of a power steering failure so that you can avoid an accident and any other possible problems it could cause when on the road. Signs that failure is soon to come include:

  • You hear whining or squealing – Hearing high-pitched noises when you are turning your wheel could be a sign that your steering fluid is low. You can add fluid but will need to take it to an auto repair shop to check for possible leaks. 
  • The wheel becomes difficult to turn – Low power steering fluid, as well as damage to the power steering belt, can result in difficulty turning the wheel. 
  • Your steering wheel vibrates while idling – Another symptom that your power steering needs repair is violent vibrations when the steering is not in use. This can be an indication that the belt has become damaged or is loose. 

What to do When Your Power Steering Goes Out

If your power steering goes out when you are driving, it is best to get to the side of the road to safety. Turn on your hazards and apply your brakes slowly to maintain control of the vehicle and guide it off of the road. Remember you will need to turn the wheel hard to get the tires to respond. Once on the roadside, start by turning the engine off and on again to see if the steering responds and you can safely drive it to a shop. If you suspect that your power steering has gone out because it has lost fluid, you can add more fluid, and this should restore your steering enough to get it to an auto repair shop to determine the cause for the fluid loss.

If your car is older, or you have been hearing some loud groaning noises when you steer, there is a chance that your hydraulic system is failing or has given out and will need to be repaired by a mechanic. 

How to Prevent Your Power Steering From Going Out

The best way from preventing your power steering form going out is to keep your system well maintained. Make sure that the fluid is regularly checked and changed as needed. Also, watch for any leaks which will result in small puddles of pink or amber liquid. Be aware of the signs of a possible power steering failure and get your vehicle into the shop to be checked as soon as a problem is detected. 

Here’s Why You Car Leaks Oil When Parked

If you find that your car’s oil needs topping off between oil changes, then it is probably leaking oil – and you may not have noticed it. Some cars leak oil only while driving and the engine is hot. These types of leaks can be difficult to detect and you may need to have the engine seals and gaskets inspected at an auto repair shop.

But, if you have a problem with your car leaking oil when it’s parked, here are some reasons why that may be happening.

Why Oil is Leak Right After Parking Car

Bad Seals or Gasket

Immediately after driving, a car’s engine block and head are hot. Hot metal components expand, putting pressure on the engine’s seals and gaskets which is meant to prevent oil leakage. But, as the engine cools down, those metals will contract and leave gaps between the rubber seals and metal components. An auto repair shop can determine if it is a bad oil gasket or pan, a leaking main seal, or a bad ring or valve seal that is worn and has open gaps which allow oil to leak after parking the car.

Damaged Oil Filter or Oil Pan

A bad oil filter can that was not caught by the manufacturer can cause the oil to leak as it is passing through the filter and into the car’s engine. Also, a damaged oil pan can leave puddles of oil underneath the car after driving. When driving over low-lying portions of the road, an oil pan can be dented or hit with enough force to cause damage. The result can be a fast leak when the car is parked or a slow drip the gets worse over time.

Oil Pan Plug is not in Place

Your oil pan plug may have stripped threads or it may not be inserted and tightened properly. A rubber plug can serve as a temporary replacement but eventually a permanent repair may involve replacing the oil pan plug with a hardened steel thread insert that is the right size and thread pitch for your car’s oil pan.

A Blown Head Gasket or Engine Block Seals

If you drive an older car, the problem could be a blown head gasket or the rubber materials that seal your engine block may have deteriorated and is causing oil to leak from the top of the engine block. Driving a car without enough coolant can create an overheated engine which may cause the cylinder head to warp and a head gasket to leak. For those that live in a colder climate an engine block can freeze when there is not enough antifreeze to keep the system water from freezing. If either of these have happened, you may need an engine overhaul or an engine replacement.

Contact your local auto repair shop if your car is leaking oil after parking. It may be as simple as parking on a hill, or as complex as a crack in the engine’s sealing materials. Leaking engine oil will be light brown or black and will have a distinctive oily smell as opposed to a burnt smell which is associated with brake fluid or power steering fluid.

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