Most Common Mistakes That Can Ruin Your Transmission

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Your transmission is one of the most essential and most complex components of your car. If your transmission malfunctions or stops working, transmission repair can be a major expense. However, what few people know is that most transmission troubles are directly caused by the driver rather than natural wear and tear. Here are some of the most common mistakes that drivers make that can ruin your car’s transmission.

#1. Running on Low Transmission Fluid

Transmission fluid is essential for the proper functioning of your automatic transmission. The fluid provides lubrication, hydraulic fluid pressure, and cools the transmission when it gets too hot. Without adequate fluid levels, your transmission can’t perform at peak capacity. The most common consequence of low fluid levels is the overheating of your transmission. A transmission that runs hot will have a drastically shorter lifespan than a transmission that is kept at cooler temperatures. Make sure to regularly check your fluid levels to ensure that you don’t have a fluid leak that needs to be plugged. If you do suspect a fluid leak, bring your car into Citywide Auto right away for transmission repair in order to minimize the damage to your vehicle.

#2. Using the Wrong Type of Transmission Fluid

Despite what some people believe, not all transmission fluid is the same. Specific transmissions require specific automatic transmission fluid in order to perform optimally. Using the wrong type of fluid can actually harm your transmission as much as running on low transmission fluid. Different types of fluid have varying levels of viscosity and additives. Using fluid that is meant for another type of transmission can result in erratic hydraulic pressure and improper cooling and lubricating properties. Whether you’re getting your car serviced or adding the fluid yourself, always make sure that it’s the correct type of fluid for your vehicle in order to avoid the need for transmission repair.

#3. Letting Your Transmission Overheat

It’s estimated that around 90 percent of all transmission failures are due to overheating. For about every 20 degrees that your transmission goes over the recommended temperature, its life gets cut in half. If you want to get the maximum lifespan out of your transmission, always ensure that it’s kept cool. If your transmission is running hot, try cleaning out and replacing the transmission fluid. If this fails to solve the problem, bring your vehicle into Citywide Auto Care for a full diagnostic. We can locate the problem and advise you on how to avoid overheating in the future.

#4. Not Servicing Your Transmission

The biggest mistake you can make with your automatic transmission is failing to service it regularly. Transmissions are durable, but they still benefit from regular tune-ups. Dirt and other contaminants can get into your transmission system and build up over time, resulting in a sluggish transmission. If you fail to have your transmission and its fluid periodically cleaned, this could ultimately result in transmission failure. It’s recommended that you have your transmission serviced every 30,000 to 60,000 miles, or every two to five years. 

If you’re guilty of any of these transmission transgressions and you’re in need of transmission repair, stop by Citywide Auto Care today. We’ve taken care of Orange County residents since 2002, consistently providing high-quality service that you can trust. We’ll never try to upsell you or insist on services you don’t need. We treat our customers like family. To find out more about our transmission maintenance and repair services or to make an appointment, give us a call at (714) 633-4211 today. 

5 Common Auto Repair Myths

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All car owners fear body damage to their vehicle, especially if they’ve just been in a car accident. However, internal damage to your car’s essential components, such as the engine, transmission, or drivetrain, is just as likely and far more dangerous. When it comes to something as important as engine repair, you don’t want to go to any corner body shop. You need an auto repair facility that you can trust to provide exceptional repairs and an unparalleled customer service experience. If you live in or near the city of Orange, stop by Citywide Auto Care for trustworthy repairs that will debunk these common car collision repair myths

#1. You Must Use a Shop Your Insurance Company Chooses

It’s standard practice for insurance companies to provide you with a list of recommended auto shops where you can take your vehicle for repair. Although it may feel like you have to choose one of their recommendations, at the end of the day, they are just recommendations. You have the legal right to choose any repair shop you’d like, and the insurance company has no ability to force you to go to any particular repair shop. Although it may take longer to settle your claim using a shop that isn’t affiliated with your insurance, it’s always worth it to use an auto repair shop with quality work that you know you can trust.

#2. Insurance Pays for All of Your Repairs

What repairs your insurance is willing to cover depends entirely on your specific policy terms. Read your policy over carefully and make note of how much of the repair is covered when the accident is your fault or someone else’s fault. You should also note that your insurance company will only cover the cost of repairs that restore your car to its pre-accident condition. If you undergo repairs which improve the quality of your car overall, they may not cover these repairs or will charge a “betterment fee”.

#3. There’s No Warranty if You Choose Your Own Repair Shop

This is not true because your insurance company is not the one to provide repair warranties in the first place. The auto shop that performs the work is the one who will warranty the work done. Before you choose a body shop for your repairs, ask them about their warranty guarantee. A reputable auto repair shop will always offer some sort of customer satisfaction guarantee or warranty on all of their repair services.

#4. Only a Dealership Can Repair Your Car Perfectly

Another common misconception is that your car’s dealership is the only place that you can receive quality repairs using OEM parts. However, any non-dealer-affiliated collision repair shop can order OEM parts. Auto body shop technicians have years, if not decades, of repair experience and can usually perform repairs to the exact same standard as your car’s dealership – and often for a lower price! 

#5. Your Car Will Never Be the Same Again

Even after a serious collision with extensive internal damage, your car can be repaired to like-new condition at a quality auto repair shop. As long as your repair shop uses good parts, the right repair techniques, and skilled technicians, there’s no reason why your car wouldn’t be able to be restored to perfect working order. A trustworthy repair shop will always tell you ahead of time which repairs are within their ability and will never accept a car with so much damage that it can’t be adequately repaired.

If you’re a resident of Orange looking for a high-quality auto repair shop that you can trust, look no further than Citywide Auto Care. We are a family-owned business that takes care of our customers as if they were our family. We’ll never try to unnecessarily upsell you, and we always take great pride in our work. We only employ ASE-certified technicians, so you can trust that you’re receiving exceptional service each time you visit. To schedule an appointment today, give us a call at (714) 633-4211.