AUTONET TV

T for Transmission, T for Trouble (Automatic Transmission Trouble Signs)

One of the hardest working components of your vehicle is its transmission, shifting gears up and down when you need it to.  The transmission is vital to your vehicle driving properly, and if you start to see signs of problems in it, it’s best to have them fixed earlier rather than later. (Since nearly all new vehicles have automatic transmissions, we’re leaving manual transmissions for another time since their issues are different.)

One sure sign your transmission has a problem is when you notice it’s not changing gears like it used to.  Or perhaps you observe when it does change gears, they slip when you are driving.  Gear change problems could be as simple as something wrong with your transmission fluid, but it could be more serious, so get this one checked out soon.

Another trouble sign is when you feel your transmission shaking and vibrating as you’re accelerating, decelerating or trying to maintain a constant speed. Hearing odd noises when you are standing still and in neutral is another warning that something’s wrong,

It's always a good idea to look around on the garage floor, or wherever you park your vehicle, to see if there is anything leaking.  Transmission fluid leaks are an important sign of trouble and should be followed up quickly.  The fluid is usually  clear or pinkish red, and it smells sweet.  Call us soon if you see it under your vehicle.

Your nose can also be helpful in sensing when your transmission might need attention.  Transmission fluid can burn when it overheats, and if you smell a burning smell, let your service advisor know as soon as you can.  Other odors that could alert you to transmission problems are burning plastic or rubber from wires. 

The earlier we can catch a transmission problem, the better.  If you drive a vehicle with an automatic transmission and notice any of these trouble signs, have a technician check them out so we can “shift” our attention to it as soon as possible.

All Things Automotive & Diesel Service
1997 Walton Ave #C
Idaho Falls, ID 83401
208-523-3903

Knowledge is Power (Battery Testing)

It’s likely happened to you once or twice.  You head to your vehicle, open the door, turn the key and… lo and behold, your battery is dead. Now you’re stranded, may have to get a jump or a tow, and you’ll definitely be late for wherever you were headed. While your vehicle may sometimes give you warning signs, other times it doesn’t.  

As many as one out of every four vehicles will have to have its battery replaced in the next 12 months.  If you don’t want to be surprised the next time your battery fails, consider having it tested.

There are different types of battery testing.  One measures voltage. Another checks for something called conductance.  By sending a certain type of electric current into the battery, it can measure how healthy your vehicle’s battery is.  There’s also a load test.  It checks how your battery is working while drawing power from it.  Newer test equipment found in professional service facilities can check for a number of different conditions using different methods. 

Most vehicle batteries last around five years.  It all depends on how you drive and in what conditions.  Extreme heat and cold will take their toll on a battery and shorten its life.  Stop-and-go city driving will also place batteries under more stress than smooth, continuous driving.  

So, what are some signs that your battery is starting to show its age? Well, the battery or alternator light may illuminate after you’ve started the vehicle or come on while you are driving.  If you’ve left lights or some equipment on and drained the battery, that can be very hard on it.

Because the battery is one of your vehicle’s most important components, it’s a good idea to have us check it regularly. In addition to examining the battery itself, a technician will also inspect the terminals and cables for corrosion, damage, fraying wires and loose connections.  It’s smart to have us do it before any extreme weather changes are expected or before long trips. In this case, knowledge truly is power.

All Things Automotive & Diesel Service
1997 Walton Ave #C
Idaho Falls, ID 83401
208-523-3903

See the Light (Bulb Replacement)

When you notice one of your headlights has gone out, it’s important for the safe operation of your vehicle to get it changed and working again.  Not only is replacing a headlight important for your ability to see in the dark, but it’s also vital that it be lighting your way and aimed correctly so oncoming drivers aren’t blinded.  

Changing a headlight used to be something a driver might try to do themselves.  But that was back when headlights were standard sizes and fairly easy to access on your vehicle.  That has all changed with new technology and designs in today’s vehicles.  Most lamps are now LEDs, and there are different sizes, intensities, and shapes in different vehicles. Accessing those bulbs has also grown extremely difficult in some cases, and we recommend you have one of our professional technicians do it for you.

It's just as important that your brake lights and side marker lights work, too, as they contribute to the safe operation and visibility of your vehicle.  A technician will check to see what is causing a light not to illuminate, which could be a bulb, but also could be a problem with the electrical system in that bulb’s circuit.

Having all your lights working is not only a matter of convenience, but a matter of safety too.  So don’t be in the dark when you don’t have to be. Let our technicians light up your life a little by making sure all your bulbs are working right.

All Things Automotive & Diesel Service
1997 Walton Ave #C
Idaho Falls, ID 83401
208-523-3903

Losing Your Cool (AC Condenser Replacement)

It’s always more comfortable in your vehicle when you can control temperature and humidity in the cabin. Air conditioning, which is standard on most newer vehicles, is a vital part of that comfort, and a key component of that system is the condenser.

The condenser converts the refrigerant gas into a liquid by cooling it down.  There are a few reasons the condenser can fail.  It can start leaking, which is usually caused by faulty seals and tubes, or debris from the road can damage it since it sits in a vulnerable spot at the front of your vehicle.  

Another way your condenser can be damaged is when bits of metal are released after your vehicle’s air conditioning compressor fails and are sent into the condenser. In both cases, you will have to have the condenser replaced as well as other components that are part of the system.

Here are signs that your condenser needs replacing.  When you turn on your air conditioning, it won’t make the air as cold as you’re used to it getting.  Or it may not get cold at all. Since other things can cause those symptoms, it’s best to bring your vehicle in to us to have one of our technicians determine where the problems are.

They’ll check the system’s pressure and thoroughly inspect for leaks.  If the problem is the condenser, they’ll replace it, refill the refrigerant, search for any more leaks in the system and give your air conditioning a final test to make sure it’s operating correctly.  

Keeping your air conditioning system working helps maintain the value of your vehicle.  It not only keeps the cabin cool when it’s hot outside, but also helps the defroster work properly and controls humidity in all seasons and climates.  Now, that’s very cool.

All Things Automotive & Diesel Service
1997 Walton Ave #C
Idaho Falls, ID 83401
208-523-3903