When a check engine light becomes apparent, most tend to assume that an underlying issue with their vehicle’s engine is to blame. However, this is not always the case. Quite the contrary, an vehicle’s onboard diagnostic system monitors a number of modules, any of which can trigger the onset of a check engine light, should … Read more
Pulling up to the stoplight with your 2002 Hyundai Tibouran at midnight, you get the bright idea: “I’m going to do a burnout, there’s nobody around”. You throw the automatic transmission in “1”, hold the brake and the accelerator, then release the brake expecting to spin your tires like all the Fast and Furious movies! … Read more
Have you ever attempted to leave for work in the morning, only to find that your automatic transmission is stuck in the park position? If so, you are certainly not alone. While indeed troubling, this issue is far more common than one might think. Luckily, when a transmission is stuck in park, a minor mechanical fault … Read more
Outside of your engine, the transmission is the most complex part of your vehicle. But an automatic transmission doesn’t get half the attention of an engine, and it’s a shame because your vehicle’s tranny is a work of art that is a fantastic piece of innovation when everything is running correctly. But what makes up … Read more
As soon as a car owner or driver notices a burning smell from the engine area, it becomes an issue serious enough that the car should be stopped driving. Even though transmission problems often occur in specific cars rather than in other makes and models, as long as you have driven your car long enough, … Read more
A car’s transmission is one of the most important components of any car. You simply can’t operate a motor vehicle without the gears functioning as they should be. But sometimes, you may encounter an issue that causes one or more of the gears to malfunction. The reverse gear in particular, is easy to take for … Read more
A transmission valve body is a major component of an automatic transmission. It’s essentially a maze-like control center made up of valves, passageways, and solenoids that diverts transmission fluid to where it’s needed for gear changes. While not a common part to fail, when you do have some type of malfunction in the transmission valve … Read more
Most people who have learned to drive within the last 20 years were taught how to drive an automatic car. These are supposedly easier to drive than manual cars, which requires you to operate a stick shift and change gears. But for those who may have learned how to drive manual cars first, it will … Read more
If you are driving a car with an automatic transmission, then you will need to change the automatic transmission fluid (ATF) according to the manufacturer’s change interval. In most cases, this will be about every 100,000 miles. You will also need to change the filter as well. Unlike changing your engine oil and filter which … Read more
When the automatic transmission in your car is slipping, it can leave you stuck unexpectedly and even lead to a complete rebuild of the transmission. However, with some basic knowledge about the warning signs and symptoms of a slipping transmission, you can increase your chances of avoiding the expense of a new transmission. A vehicle’s … Read more