How Do You Know If You Need Transmission Fluid?

You should first understand the two main purposes of what transmission fluid is and what it does.  First, it lubricates all the surfaces and components of the transmission system to help prevent excessive friction and overheating. Secondly, it transmits power from the engine to the transmission.  

Theoretically, transmission fluid never needs to be changed.  Though, some auto mechanics do not agree with this concept.  Many manufacturers recommend changing the transmission fluid at about 100,000 miles.  Some auto mechanics say that it should be changed at least every 50,000 miles.  Read your owner’s manual and discuss your concerns with your mechanic.

Though, it is a fact that transmission fluid does deteriorate over time.  There are certain driving conditions, such as frequent stop-and-go city driving, hauling heavy loads, or trailer towing, raise the transmission’s operating temperature and put more strain on the transmission and the fluid.   Also, if the transmission is wearing out, a leak could be developing.  

Transmission fluid can come in several colors, but it is most often red in color.  It will become darker as it deteriorates. You may also start to notice a burned odor.  This could be an indication that the fluid wants to be changed or that the transmission is developing issues.

How do you know if you need transmission fluid replaced?  Here are five common issues that could develop:

1. Grinding or squealing noises while shifting
2. Shifting is difficult
3. Inexplicable surging
4. Gears slipping
5. Delay in movement after shifting

It is a good idea to have your transmission fluid checked about once a month.  If there are any of the signs listed above, especially if you have already topped off the transmission fluid, you may be facing a costly transmission repair. 

Are you wondering how do you know if you need transmission fluid?  Contact our ASE Certified Technicians at Auto Max of Oregon today for more information about transmission repair and to make an appointment. Our auto repair shop proudly serves vehicle owners in Canby, OR and surrounding areas.

What are the Symptoms of a Bad Strut?

Is your vehicle’s ride not quite as comfortable as it once was?  You may be noticing that your car is bouncing more than it used to when you drive over potholes and bumps in the road.  Your car seems to “lunge” forward when you step on the brake pedal.  Are you wondering what is wrong?  Is it an issue with the shocks or struts?  What about the other components of your vehicle’s suspension system, including the car axles?

So what are the symptoms of a bad strut?  Here are a few problems to be aware of when your car struts or shocks are wearing out:

1. Excessive bouncing when hitting a bump.
2. Vehicle nosedives forward when braking or accelerating.
3. Tire "cupping" as the rubber wears off the tire every time it hits the ground.
4. Leaking hydraulic fluid from inside the shock.

What causes a strut to go bad?  Shocks or struts do wear out over time in the normal course of driving as the miles add up on your vehicle.  But if you are consistently driving over bumpy streets, hitting potholes, or other obstacles in the road, they will wear out even more speedily.  When struts go bad, the results can be risky, as it impacts the steering and stopping the performance of your vehicle, as well as adding stress to the car axles.  

You don’t have to worry about these problems any longer than it takes to get your vehicle to your auto repair shop.  Replacing your car’s struts or shocks as needed will increase stopping the performance as well as increase the safety of your vehicle!

Need to know more about what are the symptoms of a bad strut?  Call our ASE Certified Technicians at Auto Max of Oregon today for more information about suspension systems, including car axles, and to make an appointment. Our auto repair shop proudly serves vehicle owners in Canby, OR and surrounding areas.

What causes front end alignment problems?

When your car is first manufactured, the wheels are aligned, tested, adjusted and eventually verified at the factory. But over time, many drivers will find that their wheels fall out of alignment, a condition when tires are not pointing in the same direction as the steering wheel.  It can shorten the life of your tires by thousands of miles and compromise essential steering and suspension parts.  

So what causes front end alignment problems?  There are several reasons for wheels to fall out of alignment, most of which have to do with driving conditions. Driving down a poorly maintained road can cause wheels to become misaligned. Hitting potholes, going too fast over speed bumps, running into curbs, or having an accident, no matter how minor, can also affect your car alignment.  You will more than likely find yourself struggling to keep your vehicle going straight down the road.

Some drivers are not aware of how damaging car alignment issues can be.  It not only affects how your vehicle handles, but it also adds excessive wear to your tires, suspension, and steering systems. Has your wheel alignment checked about every 6,000 miles?  At the very least, have it checked at the first sign of premature tire wear. 

By maintaining the alignment of your vehicle, you will:

• Boost your car’s handling and safety, 
• Increase fuel efficiency,
• Prevent damage to important vehicle components, and 
• Extend the life of your tires.  

Remember, the price of an alignment service is much more cost-effective than paying for a new set of tires!

Need to know more about what causes front end alignment problems?  Call our ASE Certified Technicians at Auto Max of Oregon today for more information about our car alignment service and to make an appointment. Our auto repair shop proudly serves vehicle owners in Canby, OR and surrounding areas.

Wondering how often should you have your car serviced?

If you are like most drivers, you want a safe and trustworthy vehicle.  But you may be wondering, “How often should you have your car serviced?”  The answer is quite simple. Follow the factory suggested vehicle maintenance schedule in your owner’s manual.  Adhering as close as potential to this schedule will help prevent an expensive car repair and ensure that you are driving as safe as potential, especially during winter’s cold days.

Many newer cars have an in-vehicle maintenance reminder system that provides an alert on the dash when it is time for certain services, such oil changes, fluid level inspects, component checkups and other car maintenance services.  This reminder system makes mileage-based schedules obsolete and also takes a number of vehicle operating conditions into account.  Although you should be able to trust these reminder systems to guide your maintenance visits, it is still wise to double-check with your car repair technician, especially if you don’t put many miles on your car during a year’s time.

Older cars commonly still rely on mileage for service intervals. There are commonly two different maintenance schedules, one for cars driven in “normal” conditions and another for those used in “severe” conditions. Normal conditions would be straight level ground with little stop-and-go traffic.  Though, many drivers possibly meet the definition of severe conditions, involving one or more of the following conditions:

• Primarily short trips stop-and-go driving 
• Extremely hot, cold, or dusty climates
• Mountainous terrain
• Carrying heavy loads or towing a trailer.

Plan ahead for car repair and maintenance by finding an auto shop and technician you can trust before you want them. Inspect them out for an appearance, technician training and certification, insurance coverage and customer satisfaction. 

So how often should you have your car serviced?  Call our ASE Certified Technicians at Auto Max of Oregon today for more information about car repair service and to make an appointment. Our auto repair shop proudly serves vehicle owners in Canby, OR and surrounding areas.

What Does a Full Car Service Include?

The list of services is similar for all vehicles with a few variances depending on the make and model of your car. Every car has its own service schedule--generally stated in the owner’s manual.  Following this schedule will help keep your vehicle at its optimum performance level and ensure it lasts you as long as you need it to. 

Wondering what does a full car service include? Ask your car repair specialist.  We recommend that you have the best level of service you can afford.  Just be sure to always ask what is included in a full car service so that you understand what you are paying for.

So what does a full car service include?  Normally, minor services are normally performed at 7,500, 15,000, 45,000 and 75,000 miles while major services are performed at 30,000, 60,000 and 90,000-mile intervals.  Though the major car services are not performed as frequently, they want to be done to protect the guarantee, maintain safety, and boost the resale value of your vehicle.

Depending on the make and model of your vehicle, here are several of the car maintenance items that you should take care of on a regular basis:

• Oil change
• Tire rotation, wheel alignment, and tire balancing
• Car battery
• Inspect and either replace or top-off all fluids.
• Windshield wipers—replace about every 6 months.
• Replace burned-out lights.
• Replace the timing belt and/or serpentine belt at the suggested mileage interval.
• Service the air conditioner/heater.
• Other services related to fuel delivery, ignition and emissions systems.

There are two major benefits of keeping up with vehicle maintenance.  

1. First, your mechanic can let you know what may want to replaced right away, or what can wait a while. 
2. Secondly, you can drive with peace of mind knowing that you have a trustworthy and safe source of transportation. 

Do you want to know more about what does a full car service include?  Call our ASE Certified Technicians at Auto Max of Oregon today for more information about our car repair services and to make an appointment. Our auto repair shop proudly serves vehicle owners in Canby, OR and surrounding areas.

Wondering what does car AC service include?

During the hot temperatures of summer, your AC unit has received a lot of use.  Did you know your vehicle’s A/C system is vital year-round?  Lots of drivers think that the A/C is strictly for cooling air in the summertime. In fact, it is just as vital for the cold and rainy seasons as well.  

A vehicle’s A/C system consists of 5 major parts, all working together to cool you off in summer, and to keep you warm and dry in winter. These major parts include the:

• Compressor
• Condenser
• Receiver dryer or Accumulator
• Orifice Tube or Expansion valve
• Evaporator

Your A/C system also consists of hoses and refrigerant charging ports, but the significant work occurs in the five parts listed above.

Why is the AC so important all year long?

1. For cold air: Refrigerant is compressed in the compressor and turns into a hot gas. In the condenser, this hot gas is cooled to a liquid state and travels to the expansion valve. As the Freon goes through the expansion valve it returns to a low-pressure gas and quickly cools in the evaporator. A fan blows over the evaporator and cools the air that ultimately blows out your vents.
2. For warm air: Hot engine coolant is circulated through a small radiator, called a heater core. A fan in front of the heater core blows cold external air over the fins. As this air travels over the warmer core, it heats up and becomes the hot air which blows out your warmer vents. If the heater core becomes congested with rust, you will no longer have heat. Also, if they're a small leak in the heater core, the passenger cabin can get steamy with fogged-up windows, or you may smell coolant.

If you have not already scheduled an auto AC service, make sure to do so before winter arrives.  The benefits include increased gas mileage, a more environmentally-friendly vehicle, and a more relaxed drive.

So, what does car ac service include?  Call our ASE Certified Technicians at Auto Max of Oregon today for more information about auto AC service and to make an appointment. Our auto repair shop proudly serves vehicle owners in Canby, OR and surrounding areas.

Wondering When Does a Car Battery Need to be replaced?

The car battery is the most underrated, but the most vital piece of equipment your car wants in order to be driven down the street.  The battery is an energy storage device that relies on a chemical reaction within the battery to produce electricity. This stored electrical energy is used to initially operate the starter motor, ignition system, and fuel system. Once the motor is running, the alternator supplies the electricity needed for all the other vehicle systems and re-charges the battery as you operate the car.

Is it safe to drive with a bad battery?  Yes, but if it is weak and dies completely, you could be stranded on the side of the road on a hot summer day. A bad battery may also overload the alternator and adversely affect the operation of the vehicle’s electrical system.

Don’t wait for your battery to fail completely.  When it gets old (3-4 years) you may find yourself in need of a car battery replacement.  Though, if you already have a new battery under your hood and it keeps dying, there may be some other reasons why.  Ask your mechanic to inspect it out!

So when does a car battery need to be replaced?  Generally, a battery will have a service life of 4 to 7 years.  Here are a few positions which indicate it is time for a car battery replacement:

• Your car doesn’t start. As a battery age, the cranking amps become lower than the original rating. Once the cranking amps fall below a critical threshold, it will be difficult, if not impossible to start your vehicle.
• Battery warning light illuminates. If the battery warning light illuminates, ask your auto mechanic to inspect your battery and if it wants to be replaced.
• Electrical components don’t work. Once a battery has started to fail and the voltage produced by the battery drops, the vehicle’s electrical components can malfunction. 

Remember:  Ultimately, every battery will die.  Though, the key to prolonging the life of your battery and avoiding a premature car battery replacement is to keep it well-maintained. 

Wondering when does a car battery need to be replaced?  Call our ASE Certified Technicians at Auto Max of Oregon for more information about a car battery replacement and to make an appointment. Our auto repair shop proudly serves vehicle owners in Canby, OR and surrounding areas.