Top 9 Car Transmission Red Flags That You Should Address Right Away

Transmission is important in a car because it helps with changing gears and get from point A to point B without trudging along in first gear. So, obviously a car needs transmission, but what if you start having problems with it? And how do you determine that it is actually the problem?

As soon as you notice any sign that your car is not shifting the way it should, be sure to deal with it immediately. Waiting won’t help you save money nor make the car less problematic. Letting simple car problems go unattended lead to serious problems and bigger repair cost. So here are the shifting trouble signs that you should watch out for to avoid unnecessary car problem and expenses.

1. Check Engine Light Comes On

A warning light is just that, a signal telling you that something is wrong. But this doesn’t automatically confirm a specific problem on your car. However, if your warning light is on and you have noticed the rest of these symptoms on your car then that almost guarantees that your vehicle is having transmission problem. You should get it checked right away before it develops into a more serious transmission trouble.

2. Clunking, Humming, Or Whining

Chunking or thudding sound when the car shift gears? Having difficulty reaching the proper speed? If it feels like your car is fighting you when you shift or it does shift but only after some struggle, you might wanna take your ride to a car repair shop because this is not a problem you wanna have on the road.

3. Shaking Or Grinding

Your car shouldn’t shake or jerk, and you shouldn’t hear grinding. These are all indications of transmission trouble. With a manual transmission, the most common red flag is grinding when you shift. If it happens after you engage the clutch and shift, it could also be a sign of a faulty clutch.

4. Noise In Neutral

When you have low or dirty transmission fluid, your car usually creates this bumping sound when you’re in neutral. So when this happens, topping up the liquid should be the first thing you should do. If that didn’t help, it’s possible some parts in the transmission are already worn out.  If this is the case, it’s best that you take your vehicle to the car servicing shop to get it checked and fixed.

5. Hesitation

When there’s a pause or delay before your car moves according to the action you made, like your car waits for a bit before going into drive and moving forward, that’s a problem. It’s not only frustrating but a driving hazard. If you experience this be sure to contact a car repair shop before you end up having to replace your transmission instead of simply fixing the existing one.

6. Low Or Leaking Fluid

Transmission fluid is clear red that comes with a slightly sweet smell. If you see this under your car, check for clogged filter or loose plug immediately. Because that’s the closest possible reason for the leak which is can be causing you to have a hard time shifting gears.

7. Car Won’t Go Into Gear

Check your fluid again. If this is happening, there’s a big chance you’re low on transmission fluid. If not, you could be looking at clutch problem, the shift cables or the computer system.

8. Burning Smell

Some car smells are perfectly normal, even if they're annoying. Other odors are definitely evidence of something wrong and one of those is burning smell! Pull over immediately and eliminate possibility of fire and then consider other causes. One of the most common causes of a burning smell is car transmission fluid that’s overheating. This happens when the fluid breaks down due to debris and sludge. Dirty fluid isn’t going to keep your transmission parts cooled and lubricated so that they don’t become damaged, and if you allow your car to run with dirty fluid, you’re eventually going to end up with a bad transmission.

9. Slipping Gears

If your car changes gears on its own when you’re on manual transmission in a certain gear or it slides into neutral in an automatic, seek car repair right away. Don’t waste time doubting or risking it on the road. This is definitely a clear sight of car transmission problem.

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Car Safety Features That Will 

Give You Peace Of Mind While Driving

Car Safety Features That Will Give You Peace Of Mind While Driving

Driving doesn’t seem like a life-threatening activity because you’re essentially just going from one place to another. But even when you’re already at your destination and parking your car, an accident can still happen. Doesn’t matter if it’s a minor accident or not but the point is, as a car owner, you’d want to avoid it as much as possible. Not only because your life and others life can be put at risk but also because it may mean hefty car repair cost as well as other damages. So, aside from seatbelts and airbags which are great, you’d want these features in your vehicle for added security.

Active Blind-Spot Detection System

How many little misses, dents, and scratches have you had to deal with due to an approaching car in your blind spot? Car servicing shops probably have more of these cases than engine failures. No wonder this feature is such a hit.

Backup Collision Intervention/Auto Stop

A lot of accidents could have been avoided if the market has come up with this sooner. Detecting what’s behind you, hearing an audible alert and seeing a flashing light indicating its oncoming direction, and a system that counteracts failure to act by pushing back on the accelerator could have not just saved lives but as well as the car repair expenses and trouble.

Window Tint

Accidents happen even to the most cautious people. This is why it’s good to have an extra layer of protection especially on your car windows. Direct impact often leads to glass shattering which can cause wounds to you and your passengers. But if you install automotive film on your car windows, this will prevent the glass from shattering because the film helps hold the glass together even when broken. Not to mention the fact that it eliminates glare which compromises any driver’s vision on the road. 

Front Crash Avoidance System

Car manufacturers are integrating front crash avoidance system to prevent rear-end crashes. This high-tech car safety feature scans the road, submits the gathered information to the computer and calculates the safe driving distance. The system will alert you when you are too near to the car in front of you. Other systems will do the legwork for you by automatically applying the brakes.

Parking Assist System

Not everyone who can drive are good with parking, especially in a crowded parking lot. We’ve all seen how scratches and dents happen just by parking the car. While this is a minor accident, it’s still an accident nonetheless and I bet any car owner would want to avoid any accident at all cost. With this car feature, all you need to do is activate the system, shift to reverse and the system will park the car for you.

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Top Car Maintenance That You Should Keep Up With

 If You Want To Get The Most Out Of Your Vehicle

Top Car Maintenance That You Should Keep Up With If You Want To Get The Most Out Of Your Vehicle

Think car maintenance and car servicing are an unnecessary expenditure? Think again! Because by keeping your car in good running condition means not needing to buy a new ride after every couple of years, not spending money on major car repairs due to malfunction, and more importantly avoiding hospital and damage expenses in case of an accident because of malfunction too.

The more you keep its maintenance up-to-date the more your car’s condition is restored therefore prolonging its lifespan. With that, you’ll be able to enjoy your car longer than it would if you just let minor damages turn into unrepairable ones due to neglect.

Don’t let your car go! If you want to prolong your vehicle’s life, make sure you don’t fall behind these following car maintenance checklists.

Change Power Steering Fluid

Be sure to have the power steering fluid changed every 50,000 miles or three years. If you don’t, it will result to difficult steering which can’t be good while driving. If your fluid level is low, you may have a leakage problem which will need to be reviewed at a professional car servicing center here at Singapore.

Check Out Car Engine

To keep powerful and extend engine life, make treatment of your engine. This added lubrication can keep your engine running smoother, providing greater damage protection than oil alone and extends the life of your car’s engine.

Exact Rotation Of Your Tires

If you’re not sure about the recommended tire rotation interval, check your owner’s manual or you do it every other time you get an oil change. Doing this regularly promotes even tread wear and helps the tire perform as designed.

Keep Up Tire Pressure

This means they shouldn’t be overinflated nor underinflated. Otherwise they’ll wear out faster than they typically should and will affect vehicle handling and fuel economy. To avoid this, check your owner’s manual for recommended tire pressure and always stick to that. It’s best to check your tires’ pressure at least once a month but do it more often if you always go on long trips or you carry heavy loads all the time.

Be Careful Of Brakes

A vehicle’s braking system is a very important part a car. If they’re not in good condition it means you car’s ability to slow down or stop when you’re driving can be compromised. Moreover, your family, other motorists and your own safety could also be at risk! Don’t wait for that to happen before you realize the importance ensuring your brakes are always working properly. Once you notice, vibrations, strange sounds, or pulling, don’t ignore them and get it checked right away.

Regularly Change Oil

Always consult your owner’s manual to know your car’s required oil change interval. Don’t just think it’s every 3,000 miles because it’s a standard. It differs for every car. Motor Oils Have Antioxidants. This antioxidants helps limit oxygen exposure for moving parts which could cause rust and corrosion. Therefore, forgoing oil change is actually putting your car at risk of damages. Aside from that, try to use only the grade, viscosity or weight of oil that is set for your particular car.

Replace Engine Coolant

In order to keep your engine running efficiently, engine coolant removes excess heat. It depends upon the type of coolant you purchase, most antifreeze or engine coolants can last from 30,000 – 50,000 miles, or about three years. You can check your engine’s level by locating the plastic coolant repository under your hood.

Replace Air Filter

Okay, here’s the thing, your air filter’s job is to make sure you are breathing clean air as you drive. When the air filter itself becomes too dirty to function it puts your health to risk because it could pump your car full of dust and allergens. This is why it’s important to change your filter every three months, as it also prevents airborne contaminants from being pulled into your car’s engine. Don’t worry it’s so simple you can easily do it yourself as long as you follow instructions on your owner’s manual, so no need to spend on car grooming services in Singapore.

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Mistakes You Probably Make When Using Your Car AC That You Don’t Realize

Mistakes You Probably Make When Using Your Car AC That You Don’t Realize

When you live in a tropical country, driving with your air condition unit running is must. That is unless you like driving uncomfortable and drenched in your own sweat. Just imagine your AC unit not working properly, everyone from the driver to the passengers in the car will suffer. So it should be among your car concerns to get to know your car air conditioning more. To make sure you’re getting the most out of it, you might wanna avoid the following mistakes people often make when using their car air conditioning unit.

Not Keeping AUTO On

Many cars nowadays have an auto air re-circulation button on their climate controls. It’s best to leave this on to prevent buildup of fog and condensation in the windows that can hamper visibility. Keeping a set temperature and leaving the air conditioning in a mode that it can manage itself is the best way to keep the windows clear and still keep occupants cool. Adjust the temperature all you want, but keep that button on.

Hogging The Vents

People who live in the tropics knows how heavenly it feels when the cool air from the AC is blowing directly at you. However, doing this prevents the cool air from circulating throughout the interior properly. So it’s better to point the vents upwards for the cool air to circulate easier and faster.

Blasting It

Instead of blasting the AC unit and wasting gas in attempt to cool down your car faster, do this trick instead. Roll down the passenger window and open and close the driver’s door a handful of times. This will quickly and effectively cool down a hot car.

Not Taking It To The Car Servicing Shop For Regular Maintenance

The more you keep its maintenance up-to-date the more your car’s condition is restored therefore prolonging its lifespan. With that, you’ll be able to enjoy your car longer than it would if you just let minor damages turn into unrepairable ones due to neglect. So, as with any part of a vehicle, may it be oil, tires, or brake fluid, the key to an efficient and effective A/C system is regular maintenance. If you don’t know how to do this yourself, you should get your AC checked every time you take your car for its regular maintenance.

Windows Down In The Morning

Because it’s usually not that hot early in the morning, car owners tend to drive with their windows down before noon. However, it’s actually better to keep the windows up and turn the AC right away to regulate cabin temperature and prevent fogging up. This keeps you AC from working too hard to reach a comfortable temperature as the temperature outside rises.

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Top 7 Clever Travel Tips If You Take Your

 Pets With You All The Time

Top 7 Clever Travel Tips If You Take Your Pets With You All The Time

For dog lovers out there, there’s nothing better than seeing places and being able to share the experience with your dog. However, despite the picture perfect idea, you have to be realistic and know that there are challenges when traveling with a canine. To lessen the stress and make sure you enjoy the ride, here are some tips that may come in handy.  

1. Try To Find Out If Your Dog Is Up For It

To minimize stress as much as possible, it’d be best to do a dry run first. There are dogs that do fine even for their first time while others have trouble getting used to it though they’ve traveled with you before. So if you’re planning a long road trip, try to practice with your pet first. Short trips every day may help him ease up to it so that he’s more relaxed once you actually go on a long trip.

2. Prioritize Safety

Letting the dog move freely inside the car may seem better but not when you’re on a long trip and you need to focus on driving. It could easily tire you out by constantly checking on him or keeping him calm and may put you both at risk of getting into an accident. You have to make sure you and your dog are safe throughout the ride. So better if you can fix him in one spot buckled up using dog-specific seat belts or put him at the back in his carrier. This way you know he is safe and you don’t get distracted while driving as well.

3. Don’t Leave Your Dog Alone In The Car

It doesn’t matter if “you’ll be back in just a minute” or not. Don’t. Leave. Your. Dog. Alone. In. The. Car. This is especially when it’s really hot because a parked car outside can easily heat up in just a minute and leaving your dog in there could lead to heat stroke.

4. Bring A Toy To Keep Them Busy

There are dogs who have anxiety issues or bark a lot, driving with either of them can be stressful and frustrating. But you can bring treats for them to chew or toys to play so that they have something to focus their attention to aside from the fact that they’re in the car travelling with you. Distracting them from the moving car helps soothe them so that you don’t have to worried sick the whole time.

5. Know Which Establishments Are Dog-Friendly

It would be a lot easier for you to travel with your canine if you know which establishment in your destination and even along it are welcoming dogs. This keeps you from stopping a couple of times to look for a place that allow dogs inside when you just want to buy a snack or need to use the bathroom.  

6. Be Careful What You Feed Your Dog

Always bring foods you know are safe for your four-legged travel buddy. This way you know you have something to feed him without running the risks of feeding him human food that’s actually toxic for him. Aside from that, if your dog has a tendency to jump on your food, make sure you keep it out of his reach to avoid any accidents.

7. Put An ID Tag With Contact Information On Your Dog’s Collar

It’s a scary thought, but you have to be prepared for the worst case scenario. If you know you have to do a lot of stops, especially in a crowded place, know that it’s possible for the two of you to get separated from each other. But if you do this tip, in case your furry friend ever gets separated from you, it will be easier for anyone to return him back to you.

You see, car repairs aren’t the only headache-inducing thing that can happen when you’re traveling and kind of in the middle of nowhere. A scared or non-stop barking dog can be just as challenging. But being prepared and knowing what to do, especially during tricky situations, is always how you can overcome these bumps on the road.

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7 Tips To Drive Safely During Night Time

7 Tips To Drive Safely During Night Time

Driving at night is inevitable. But if you know the right thing to do, you can live through its hazards and enjoy your quiet evening ride. Here are some tips that will help you drive peacefully and safely at nighttime.

1. Always Check If Your Headlamps Are Working Before You Drive

Visibility is always important whenever you’re driving but even more so when you’re out at night when it already dark. So always check if your lights are working because they’re your primary source of light. Aside from that, your signal and tail lights will keep you visible on the road and help your communicate with other drivers. As soon as you notice your headlamps aren’t in good condition, take your car to car servicing right away especially if the problem is not just the bulbs but in the electrical wirings.

2. Limit Your Speed

Your headlamps can only cover a certain distance, so limiting your speed can give you more time to react to oncoming road hazards. As a general rule, it’s always better to drive slowly and carefully if you’re unfamiliar with the road that you’re taking.

3. Clean Your Windshield

What’s the use of your headlamps if your windshield is keeping you from being able to see the road ahead of clearly? Your windshield is one of the important features of your car to ensure visibility on the road, so it’s a must that you keep it dirt and grime free.

4. Reduce Driving Distractions

Not only that this keeps your full attention in the road, which is always good for your safety, but it can also save you some car repair. Sometimes those little dents or scratches happens because you we’re checking a text message and missed the approaching car or the traffic light or the signal light of the car in front of you.

5. Avoid Poorly Lit Roads

As much as you can, don’t pass roads that are barely lit. Even when your headlights are perfectly working, they can only cover certain distance like mentioned above. Animals coming out of nowhere, pedestrians, speed bumps and pothole may not be easily seen with just your headlights. So it’s always best to take well-lit route.

6. Be Cautious Of Drunk Drivers

You may be a careful and responsible driver but others may not be. If you notice a car going too fast and being careless at night, it’s safer to assume that the driver behind the wheel is drunk. In this kind of situation, better avoid the car. Let it go ahead of you and allow ample distance between you.

7. Maintain Your Vehicle

Aside from car grooming which is on high demand here in Singapore, you should also prioritize maintenance. If your car is also in good running condition all the time, you save yourself from surprise breakdowns on the road which can lead to accidents, especially on a dark road where you can’t see potential hazards that may aggravate the situation.

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Top 9 Causes Of Automobile Overheating

Top 9 Causes Of Automobile Overheating

First time drivers easily panics when there’s something if off with their car that’s why the problem gets fixed right away. However, overtime, drivers can become lazy that when it doesn’t seem like a big deal they just ignore. It’ll be fine for a while they will say. And because of these, many drivers end up dealing with a bigger damage on their car that would have been prevented if it was taken cared of earlier.

Like many things in life, 'you don't know what you got till it's gone'. So before your car overheats and end up in the car repair shop for a while and becomes too late to realize how much your life is so much easier with having your own ride, pay more attention when it’s already sending you SOS signals! Save yourself from the headache, bigger costs, and road risk. When you notice any of these bad symptoms in your car, get it fixed immediately. 

1. Fan Clutch

It’s easier to cool the engine when you’re driving because the air flows easily the radiator. So when it’s idle, your car has to rely on a fan to draw air through the radiator. This can be a problem if your car has a mechanically driven fan that can get worn out which fails to rotate at sufficient speed in order to draw enough air and cool the engine.

2. Sensor

Some cars have electrically powered fan that gets activated with the help of a temperature sensor to draw air to the radiator and cool the engine. So when the temperature reaches the sensor’s limit, the fan will be activated. However, like most sensors that can be defective over time, the fan may not work when your car is idle which can lead to overheated engine.

3. Fan Shroud

The fan shroud helps focus the air coming from the fan to the radiator in order to cool it much better. Now if this is damaged or the fan doesn’t have this, then the air just blows all over the place which lessens the air that the radiator gets. This then makes the engine overheat because there’s less air working to dissipate the heat.

4. Obstructed Radiator

When dirt, bugs, or road grime gets stuck and accumulate in your radiator, it becomes harder for the air to flow through it. As a result, it’s harder to cool the engine especially when the vehicle is stopped and the radiator have to rely on just the fan to keep it cool which is why it overheats when idle.

5. Internal Clogging

If clogs outside the radiator is enough for your car to overheat, how much more when the obstruction is inside? Usually, this happen on the internal cooling tubes of the radiator where reduces the flow of the coolant. Combine that with your car in idle where only the fan trying to cool the engine and you could almost expect it to overheat every time. If you don’t want this to happen, send your vehicle to car repair right away.

6. Leaks In The Cooling System

Your car’s cooling system is what’s keeping it from overheating. So when the cooling system’s running condition becomes less ideal due to leaks then your car run the risk of overheating. This is why it’s always advised to fix even the smallest leak as soon as possible in order to avoid overheating and possibly an expensive car repair.

7. Bad Thermostat

Your thermostat is a key valve in the cooling system that ensures the coolant is able to pass through to the radiator when necessary. When the thermostat gets stuck in the closed position, coolant can no longer pass through and becomes overheated in the engine. 

8. Loose Or Broken Belts

If a belt is loose or broken, specifically the water pump belt, it cannot help maintain the correct volume of coolant flow and can lead to overheating.

9. Bad Water Pump

Your vehicle’s water pump helps propel engine coolant throughout the cooling system. So if the water pumps stops working properly due to things like erosion, leaks, or anything else, your car loses enough pressure operate the water pump properly which then can cause overheating.

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