Pro-Tech Transmissions

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Transmission Problems Caused by Battery Terminal Corrosion

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The notion that the condition of your car battery can affect the performance of your transmission may seem absurd at first. But it actually makes sense when you consider that nearly every shift in modern transmissions is operated electrically via a computer system that is powered by the battery.

A sporadic voltage drop from the battery can be the cause of all sorts of unusual transmission problems. For instance, cases of delayed transmissions shifts or completely missed gears that appear occasionally and resolve themselves (only to reappear again) can be attributed to corroded battery terminals.

Even if your car starts on the first pull, battery corrosion can still lead to transmission problems.

Starting the engine requires a lot more electricity than shifting gears. And bad connections can make good contact when a huge load is applied to the circuit. It seems like the extra current is able to get past the resistance, providing sufficient power to start the engine. Unfortunately, the small amount of current needed to operate transmission solenoids is not always enough to push through the resistance, resulting in poor transmission performance.

How to Fix Transmission Problems Caused by Battery Corrosion

Once you establish that the battery is the cause of the transmission problems you can fix it easily and fairly cheaply. A good battery service that includes cleaning the terminal ends should fix the problem completely. But if the connections seem faulty, it may be necessary to replace the terminals or cables. Either way, you will be back on the road in no time.

Can you do it yourself?

While cleaning the terminals and/or replacing the terminals or cables is a rather straightforward task, it is best that you take your car to a professional for two key reasons.

First, disconnecting the car battery will wipe off all the memories in your car’s computer systems. This will cause all kinds of drivability problems as the car systems relearn their bearings.

Second, disconnecting the battery could also disable a radio with a theft deterrent system until you input the theft code. If you don’t have the code, the radio will have to be sent to the manufacturer to reset it.

Many shops use a memory saver before disconnecting the battery. This device applies a low voltage to the system so the memories are not erased when you disconnect the battery. If you’re experiencing transmission problems caused by your battery, it is best that you let the professionals at Pro-Tech Transmissions handle all the servicing work.

Busting the Myths of Driving a Manual Transmission Car

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Busting the Myths of Driving a Manual TransmissionWhen choosing between an automatic and manual transmission car, it is a simple question of whether you prefer to let the car change gear or to remain in full control of the gear selection yourself. Driving a stick shift tends to become tiresome in start-stop urban traffic or when you have to take off from a hill, but this cannot deter enthusiastic drivers who swear by manual gearboxes, often claiming that they offer more involvement with the car.

It is, however, unfortunate when shift stick enthusiasts operate their manual transmission car incorrectly resulting in costly damage over time. Here are some myths about manual transmissions that could cause you grief in the future:

Myth #1: There is no problem with “riding” the clutch

The clutch connects two rotating shafts: the driving member (engine) and the driven member (power output shaft to the wheels. It should be fully depressed when shifting the gear or fully released when driving at a certain speed. Whenever the clutch is partially engaged, you’re putting wear on it. So, the less time spent when changing gears, the better for your transmission.

Myth #2: You can hold your car in place on steep hills using the clutch

This means “riding” your clutch, which will wear your clutch faster. If you have to stop on an incline and are afraid that the car will roll back when starting motion again, you can use the emergency brake to hold the car in place as you balance the gas and clutch. Release the E-brake the moment you start moving forward.

Myth #3: You can save your brakes by decelerating with downshifts

You can slow down the car by downshifting, but this is usually more trouble than it is worth. Furthermore, if the process is not smooth, you will be putting more wear on your clutch. Even if you are able to downshift smoothly and release the clutch properly, it will not prolong the longevity of your brakes that much.

Myth #4: It is not always possible to engage the clutch without jerking the car

You can actually enjoy smooth shifts by learning the exact position of the clutch pedal when the clutch starts to engage. Once you are familiar with this position, you will be able to shift gears and quickly release the pedal to that point, allowing you to start and stop easily on an incline.

Myth #5: Lurching when downshifting is normal

Lurching happens when you downshift without matching the engine speed to the vehicle speed. When you are not coming to a complete stop, try to “rev-match” by increasing the engine rpm as you release the clutch when downshifting in order to closely match your engine speed to the wheel speed.

Improper use of the clutch can cause it to wear faster. In case of any manual transmission car troubles, stop by the Pro-Tech shop for a full check-up. 

How Driving Conditions Affect Your Automatic Transmission Car

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How Driving Conditions and Habits Affect Your Automatic Transmission

There are many factors that affect the longevity of your automatic transmission car, some of which you have control over and some that you don’t. For instance, many people think that using your car less often, and for shorter trips, will keep it new and in optimum condition for longer, which is not true.

Vehicles driven for short distances or occasionally are subjected to unusual strain and wear. Driving your car for short distances prevents the engine from warming up to optimal operating temperature, resulting in excessive engine wear.

Low mileage transmissions for city or stop-and-go traffic usually experience far more wear than automatic transmissions with the same mileage for highway driving. Your vehicle’s mileage does not result in the same amount of wear caused by the frequency of your transmission changing gears, such as when you slow down and accelerate in heavy traffic.

Many other driving conditions that are seemingly normal or favorable can also affect your transmissions, such as icy or snowy roadways, dirty air quality, mountainous terrain, and extreme temperatures. Under what automakers consider normal driving conditions, it is recommended that you service your automatic transmission after 100,000 miles.

So, what are these normal conditions?

  • Covering 12,000 – 15,000 miles annually
  • A mixture of 1/3 city driving and 2/3 highway
  • Maintaining the optimal operating temperature for the engine and transmission for most driving
  • Driving in dry and clear road surfaces
  • Driving in clean air quality
  • Avoiding excess speeding, hard braking, or jackrabbit starts
  • Most driving in straight and level roadways, and minimum driving in mountainous terrain
  • Ensuring the correct fluid levels and condition, and proper tire pressures
  • Maintaining light to moderate loads, or carrying only one or two passengers at most with very little weight in the cargo space

Considering these requirements, very few drivers can manage to operate under normal driving conditions, and any variations tend to increase vehicle wear and damage.

Under most driving conditions, you should consider reducing the mileage and/or time between transmission maintenance services. Most transmission repair professionals recommend automatic transmission servicing at least once a year, or more frequently if you operate your car under more extreme conditions.

Looking after your car’s automatic transmission is critical, so don’t neglect it. In case of transmission problems, bring your car to Pro-Tech Transmissions.

 

What Are the Symptoms Of a TCM (Transmission Control Module) Problem?

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What Are the Symptoms Of a TCM (Transmission Control Module) ProblemAutomotive designs have evolved over the years to provide a safer and more convenient driving experience. One important and practical upgrade is the availability of automatic transmissions that offer automatic adjustment of gear ratios, without human intervention, as the vehicle moves. Since the driver is no longer required to manually change the gears, automatic transmission systems rely on the transmission control module to control the gear shifting process.

Positioned at the rear end of the engine, the transmission control module uses computerized technology to determine how and when to change gears to optimize the driving performance. Without it, the vehicle would experience difficulty adjusting to various driving conditions.

Other duties of the transmission control module include:

  • Receiving signals from sensors and relaying them to the lock-up clutch in order to regulate fuel-efficiency and power
  • Storing information about the vehicle’s transmission so it can use it later to adjust gear shifting according to the driving conditions.

The transmission control module is designed to run for long period without experiencing any major problems, though excess heat from the engine and continuous use can negatively affects it function over time. When you have a faulty transmission control module, you will experience:

  • Delay in acceleration even when the gas pedal is floored
  • Poor performance of the automatic transmission, like failure to recognize drive mode (reacts like neutral mode)

Damage to the control module can be caused by voltage overload, when there is a short in the solenoid or actuator circuit; when water causes the circuits to get shorted out; or vibration and thermal stress.

The transmission control module affects the functioning of multiple vehicle components, from the charging system to the transmission. When it goes bad, the engine also suffers functionality issues, causing it to stall. To prevent a total breakdown, you should get the transmission control module fixed as soon as you notice problems. Bring your car to Pro-Tech Transmissions for professional transmission care.

Modern Automatic Transmissions Get a Boost

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Auto manufacturers are using every strategy to increase their automobile’s mile per gallon (MPG). They are looking at reducing the weight of vehicles, installing more fuel-efficient engines with smaller displacements, and increasing the number of forwarding gears available in modern automatic transmissions.  

Four and five-speed automatics ruled for years, with a few luxury brands offering seven or eight-speed automatics. Today, six-speed automatics are quickly becoming the norm, even on economy cars and big-volume vehicles. CVTs – continuously variable transmissions have also become pretty much the standard. But automakers are not stopping there.  

Where Modern Automatic Transmissions Are Headed

modern automatic transmissionsThe idea behind increasing the number of forwarding gears in modern automatic transmissions is based on the assumption that fewer engine revolutions translate to less fuel consumption. With rising fuel prices, environmental concerns, and government mandates for fuel economy, automakers have advanced further with new innovations that deliver 9 or 10 speeds. You can now find seven, eight, and nine-speed automatic transmissions in any kind of car, from large luxury sedans to subcompact SUVs. The more gears an auto transmission has, the more efficiently it can match engine speed to the driving conditions at any given point in time.  

The additional top gear plays a huge role in making modern automatic transmissions. With more gears, they’re more economical than the conventional counterpart. An eight-speed in top gear on the highway does not have to work as hard as a five-speed. It is running at lower RPMs, which saves on gas. Besides highway speeds, these transmissions also offer benefits across the operating range of the engine. The more gears in the transmission, the greater the likelihood of the engine running at its most economical speed in any situation.

Modern automatic transmissions offer better performance, with smoother starting and maneuvering.  There is more driver comfort, owing to shorter shift times and a smoother transition between gears; and increased fuel efficiency, which is pocket and environment-friendly.  

Among the automakers working on new and improve modern automatic transmissions are:

  • GM and Ford – looking to roll-out a 9- and 10-speed automatic transmission in 2017.
  • ZF – a German car-maker with a new 9-speed automatic that only works on front-wheel-drive cars.
  • Hyundai – with a 10-speed automatic transmission.
  • Volkswagen – currently developing a 10-speed automatic transmission. For Volkswagen, more gears and better fuel efficiency could lead to reduced CO2 emissions to 95g/km by 2020.

How Car Cooling Systems Work

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cutaway of nissan for blog

The car cooling system comprises various parts and fluids that work cohesively to control the engine’s operating temperature for superior performance. In modern car engines, around one-third of the heat generated during combustion is used as mechanical energy to propel the vehicle. The remaining amount is dissipated either via the exhaust system or the car cooling system. These parts include:  

  • Passages inside the heads and engine block.
  • A drive belt and water pump to circulate the coolant.
  • A thermostat to regulate the coolant temperature.  
  • A radiator to cool the coolant.
  • Radiator cap to regulate pressure within the cooling system.  
  • Hoses to convey the coolant from the engine to the radiator.  

The fluid that flows in the cooling system, coolant, also referred to as antifreeze, is capable of withstanding extremely hot and cold temperatures, and also contains lubricants and inhibitors to help ensure that the system runs smoothly. The circulation cycle begins at the water pump, which pulls the coolant from the radiator and pushes it into the engine block.  

As the coolant circulates the system, it picks up heat from the engine before getting to the thermostat, which gages the coolant temperature and determines whether to let it into the radiator for cooling. In the radiator, the coolant passes through thin tubes, where it is cooled by air flowing outside the tubes. The amount of airflow depends on the speed of the vehicle, but when the car is not moving, constant air flow is provided by a fan that is driven by the engine. Some cars have an electric fan that is switched on and off by a temperature sensor.  

Cooling the Oil

High-performance water-cooled engines, as well as air -cooled engines may have an additional radiator, besides the standard water radiator, through which engine oil flows to be cooled.  

Many vehicles are also equipped with small transmission oil coolers as a standard package to help maintain the transmission fluid at its optimum temperature. These coolers are usually positioned in front of the radiator for air cooling as the vehicle moves. Pickups with towing packages often have larger transmission oil coolers because of the greater strain that towing exerts on transmissions.

Failure of a single part in the car cooling system can lead to the inadequate cooling of your car’s engine and transmission, leading to overheating. If you suspect that any of your cooling systems are not working well, you should bring your car to Pro-Tech Transmissions to get the problem diagnosed and fixed before the problem escalates.