Morgan Automotive Repair

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.

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.

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!

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.