When Should You Change Transmission Fluid?

If you’re wondering when should you change transmission fluid in your vehicle, you may want to know just what is the purpose of transmission fluid.  First, it lubricates all the surfaces and components of the transmission system to prevent the friction that causes overheating, and secondly, it transmits power from the engine to the transmission. 

A topic of controversy among mechanics is when should you change transmission fluid?  Some say that transmission fluid should never want to be changed.  But some vehicle manufacturers recommend replacing transmission fluid about every 100K miles, while some say about every 50K miles.  Find your owner’s manual to see what it has to say, and then discuss the topic with a trusted auto mechanic.

In spite of the facts above, it is a fact that transmission fluid deteriorates over time.  Particular driving conditions raise the transmission’s operating temperature and put more strain on the transmission and the fluid, such as frequent stop-and-go city driving, hauling weighty loads, or towing.   If your vehicle has a lot of miles, it could be that the transmission could be developing a leak.  

So when should you change transmission fluid?  If the fluid has turned darker than usual it may be time for a transmission flush. Or, if you start to notice a burned odor, it could an indication that the transmission is developing issues, such as 

1. Delayed shifting. 
2. Difficulty and/or noisy shifting.
3. Slipping in and out of gear. 
4. Overheating and burning smell.

If you have the transmission fluid inspected about every month, you can keep tabs on its condition, and prevent an expensive transmission repair down the road. 

Are you wondering when should you change transmission fluid in your vehicle?  Call our ASE Certified technicians at Proshop Automotive for more information about a transmission fluid change and to make an appointment. Our auto repair shop proudly serves residents in Colton, CA, and the surrounding areas.

Wondering How Often Should You Get Your Brakes Serviced?

A simple answer to this question is to get your brakes serviced any time you feel you are starting to notice stopping issues.  Properly working brakes are important for safe driving!  You don’t want to be the cause of an accident if your vehicle fails to stop when and where you expect it to.  

Here are a few common factors that actually will determine the lifetime of your brakes:

• Style of driving. If you are an aggressive driver, constantly stomping down hard on the brakes at stop signs or as you come up behind another vehicle, your brakes will wear out more speedily than those who come to a slow stop while pressing gently on the brake pedal.
• Weight of vehicle, plus passengers and cargo. The auto manufacturer has calculated the stopping power of brakes based on the weight of the vehicle plus passenger and cargo limits.  Continually overcapacity, the effectiveness of your brakes is significantly diminished.
• Quality of components. The quality of the brake components, such as brake pads and rotors, impacts how fast they wear out.
• Use of vehicle. Pulling heavy loads, such as heavy trailers, driving mostly in mountainous terrain, or making frequent stop-and-go trips, will cause your brakes to wear more speedily than normal as they have to be applied harder and more frequently.

Here are some signs of failing brakes that you should be aware of:

• Brake Light On
• Squealing, Squeaking or Grinding Noises
• Wobbling, Vibration or Scraping When Braking
• Leaking Fluid
• Spongy or Soft Brake Pedal
• Vehicle Pulls to One Side When Braking
• Burning Smell While Driving
• Bouncing up and down when you make a hard stop.

Are you wondering how often should you get your brakes serviced?  Call our ASE Certified technicians at Proshop Automotive for more information about brake repair and to make an appointment. Our auto repair shop proudly serves residents in Colton, CA, and the surrounding areas.

Why Would the Check Engine Light Come On?

You’re driving smoothly down the road when all of a sudden the “Check Engine” light comes on.  Why would the check engine light come on, you wonder?  Your car seems to be operating just well.  Should you drive straight to an engine repair shop and call a tow truck? Don’t panic!  A check engine light rarely signals anything disastrous.  

So why would the check engine light come on?  There are some issues that could trigger that little light:

• Loose gas cap
• Damaged vacuum hose
• Damaged ignition coils 
• Failing catalytic converter
• Worn out spark plugs. 

Although it’s okay to keep driving for a few more miles, the smart thing to do is get your car into your auto shop as soon as potential.  This will let you know for sure what’s going on in the engine and avoid a possible expensive engine repair. The important concern is to make sure that long-term damage isn’t taking place in your engine and that you aren't compromising the safety of your vehicle.  

Need to find quality engine repair?  Call our ASE Certified technicians at Proshop Automotive for more information about why would the check engine light comes on and make an appointment. Our auto repair shop proudly serves residents in Colton, CA, and the surrounding areas.

Wondering what Does Regular Car Maintenance Include?

As a conscientious driver, you want to make sure your vehicle is as safe as potential while going down the road.  While some things may seem too small to be concerned about, when it comes to vehicle maintenance, everything is vital.  And of course, it is always wise to double-check the vehicle maintenance checklist listed in your owner’s manual.  

So what does regular car maintenance include?  Here is a general list of vehicle maintenance items:

1. Windshield Wiper Blades –. When the blades are exposed to excessive heat or cold for months on end the rubber may stiffen and no longer wipe the water off the glass.  Replace wipers at least once a year, or more if you live in a rainy climate
2. Car Battery, Starter, and Alternator – A car battery should be replaced about every 5 years.  If your lights appear dim and you run a lot of accessories, it may want to be replaced more often.  Have the starter and alternator inspected out too.
3. Brake System (rotors, pads, and calipers) – Replace the brake pads at about every 50,000 miles.  If you do a lot of stop-and-go driving, you may want to replace these braking components more often.
4. Accessory Drive Belt/Serpentine Belt – This belt should usually be replaced about every 60,000 to 100,000 miles.  This belt is crucial as it operates many parts, including the alternator, water, and power steering pump, air pump and the A/C compressor. 
5. Radiator, coolant, hoses, and belts – The radiator circulates coolant and water throughout the engine to prevent it from overheating.  Have it checked and the coolant/water mixture inspected about every 6 months.  Hoses may want to be replaced about every 75,000 miles.  
6. Air Filter – For most cars, the air filter should be replaced about every 15,000 to 30,000 miles, depending on the driving conditions.  If you don't do a lot of driving, have it replaced at least every 3 years, as it becomes brittle.
7. Transmission – Don’t wait until you have shifting issues and a major repair before having a checkup of your transmission.  You may simply want a transmission flush.
8. Tires – Keep the correct inflation pressure in your tires, and have tires rotated about 6 months.  Depending upon the tread wear, tires should be replaced about every 45,000 miles.
9. Oil and Filter Changes – This is a small but critical service that keeps your engine running smoothly and efficiently.  Follow the recommendation stated in your owner’s manual for the right oil change interval.

What does regular car maintenance include?  Call our ASE Certified technicians at Proshop Automotive for more information about vehicle maintenance and to make an appointment. Our auto repair shop proudly serves residents in Colton, CA, and the surrounding areas.

Wondering what does a diagnostic test do for your car?

Annual physical inspections help keep you in good health, right?  The same is true for your car!  Regular diagnostic tests can detect car issues before they require costly repair, or worse, leave you stranded on the side of the road after a breakdown.  While some vehicle owners think diagnostic tests are only compulsory when the check engine light comes on, there are many benefits to taking a proactive approach to car maintenance, including the need for a car tune up.   

So what does a diagnostic test do for your car?  Using specialized software and thanks to built-in processors, microchips and sensors, diagnostic tools speedily and accurately point to issue areas within the engine, transmission, brakes, exhaust system and other major components, as well as performance problems with the fuel injector, airflow and coolant, ignition coils, and throttle. 

Before the emergence of car diagnostic tests, identifying issues was timesaving and costly.  Vehicle owners normally only brought their cars to mechanics after a breakdown or other severe malfunction. Now, computerized components can detect issues long before they cause a breakdown. Diagnostic tools can also inspect a car’s computer system for manufacturer notifications and stored information about the car’s history, giving technicians a complete picture in order to perform the best repair potential.  This saves time and money spent troubleshooting an issue--you don't have to pay for repairs performed on a "trial-and-error" basis.

Many auto technicians recommend taking your car in for a diagnostic check at least once a year.  This can uncover minor issues that can’t be seen or heard.  Diagnostic testing is also a useful tool when you’re inspecting out of a used car. Both private sellers and expert car dealers should agree to a diagnostic test before you commit to buying, and if they don’t, that’s a sign you should walk away from the deal.

What does a diagnostic test do for your car?  It means that your auto mechanic can identify the issue quickly; order parts as compulsory; and have it fixed before it becomes a more expensive repair. 

Are you wondering what does a diagnostic test do for your car?  Call our ASE Certified technicians at Proshop Automotive for more information about a car tune up and to make an appointment. Our auto repair shop proudly serves residents in Colton, CA, and the surrounding areas.

What Would Cause a Headlight to Keep Burning Out?

Driving home late one night, you notice that one of your headlights is scorched out. You remember replacing that bulb not too long ago and wonder if there is an issue.  With winter’s dark days and nights around the corner, this is a concern.  Halogen bulbs and sealed beam headlights have very fine tungsten wire filaments inside that emit light when heated.  Constantly replacing headlight bulbs is not only an inconvenience and expense but also an indication that there could be an underlying issue with your vehicle.  

So what would cause a headlight to keep burning out?  Here are several problems that could be the cause:

• Vibration -- Vibration can be caused by driving over rough roads, the bulb is not securely mounted in the headlight assembly, there is a bent bulb socket or headlight housing, the headlight housing is not securely attached to your car, or the front wheels are out of balance.
• Touching the bulb -- You should always wear gloves or use a cloth if you have to touch the glass of the bulb.  If you touch the glass with your bare fingers, oil from your skin will adhere to the glass and may cause hot spots on the glass when the bulb is on, resulting in uneven heating and probably breakage of the glass. 
• Temperature extremes -- Heat is compulsory for the headlight filament to emit light; though the hotter the filament gets, the less durable it is. If you do an excessive amount of night driving or drive with daytime running lights, the increased amount of time that your lights are on will heat the filament to a higher temperature.  Also, if you drive in cold climates, bulb filaments become more brittle and are more susceptible to breakage, especially if accompanied by vibrations from rough roads and potholes.
• Turning on headlights before starting the car -- Normally, vehicles divert electrical power from any accessories that are on in order to deliver maximum power to the starter motor. If you turn your headlights on before starting your vehicle, the lights will turn off and then come back on when the engine starts, shortening the headlight bulb life.
• Water leaking -- Signs of condensation inside the headlight housing is a sign that water is leaking into the housing.  Because water and electricity don’t mix, any condensation may cause a short circuit. Also, condensation coming in contact with a hot bulb may cause it to break. 

Do you want to know more about what would cause a headlight to keep burning out?  Call our ASE Certified technicians at Proshop Automotive for more information about headlights and brake lights and to make an appointment. Our auto repair shop proudly serves residents in Colton, CA, and the surrounding areas.

Wondering how Often Do You Really Need To Change The Oil?

New and inexperienced car owners may be asking this question of their mechanic.  For those of you who have owned a vehicle for very long have possibly heard it said many times--read your owner’s manual to know what kind of oil change and mileage interval the manufacturer recommends for your car!  This is still sound advice for all drivers.

There are some good reasons why it is compulsory to change engine oil.  Consider the benefits listed below:

• Extends your engine’s longevity
• Optimizes your vehicle’s performance
• Prevents excessive engine wear and tear
• Keeps engine parts lubricated
• Prevents engine overheating

So how often do you really need to change the oil?  Over time, oil deteriorates and loses its effectiveness.  Many auto mechanics still rely on the advice of changing the oil every 3,000 miles or three months, whichever comes first.  With today’s advancements in the types of motor oil available as well as advanced engine technology, this mileage interval may now be as much as every 15,000 miles.

Though, depending on your driving habits and situations, you may not be able to rely on the mileage interval.  If your car starts to exhibit one or more of the warning signs below, it’s time for an oil change!

1. Dark and dirty oil.
2. Noisy engine because of lack of lubrication
3. Oil change warning light comes on. 
4. Smoke coming from the muffler. 
5. Oil smell inside the car, combined with gas or exhaust fumes. 

Even though oil changes are relatively simple and inexpensive, many car owners neglect this service because of busy schedules and budget considerations.  Though, many auto shops offer oil change coupons for their customers to help make this service more affordable.  Be sure to ask your mechanic, or go online to your shop’s website and find their oil change coupons.

Are you wondering how often do you really need to change the oil?  Call our ASE Certified technicians at Proshop Automotive for their oil change coupons and to make an appointment. Our auto repair shop proudly serves residents in Colton, CA, and the surrounding areas.