How to Know It’s Time for a New Car

Your car’s transmission stands out as a complex piece of machinery that converts the power of your engine into the movement of your wheels. It can prove costly to repair if you allow its problems to go on unattended. Here are a few warning signs that your car has transmission issues. The check engine light is on. When this light that looks like a small engine turns on in your dashboard, you may have a problem with your engine, transmission, or something else. It may illuminate for something as trivial as a loose fuel cap, which only requires tightening to turn the light off. But you may have a more serious problem, especially if the light is blinking. Take your vehicle in right away so that our mechanics can read the code produced by this light and pinpoint the actual cause. Transmission response is slow or nonexistent. When you move the gearshift, your transmission should respond immediately and switch gears as needed. If your transmission is slow to respond or not responding at all, then you may have a problem. The gears are grinding. If you have a manual transmission, grinding gears may mean that the clutch disk is not disengaging from the flywheel when you step on the clutch. You need to replace the clutch. If you're driving an automatic, the gears sound rough, or gears start switching on your own, the problems can include transmission synchronizers that need to be calibrated. Your vehicle shakes or vibrates. If your transmission is working perfectly, it will shift smoothly, especially if it's automatic. If your car starts to shake or vibrate every time you change gears, then this problem is probably going to get worse. If you wait too long to get a check, your gears may disintegrate. If you have a manual transmission, unusual vibrations may just require that the clutch be adjusted or replaced. Fluid under the car. If you pull your vehicle from out of a parking spot, such as in your garage, and you notice puddles underneath, one of your vehicle’s essential fluids may be leaking. If you have been running your air-conditioner, that fluid is most likely condensed liquid and is not a problem. However, if the fluid is a dark reddish-brown, then transmission fluid is leaking from somewhere in your system. Temporarily refill the transmission reservoir as indicated in your owner's manual. But you will eventually have to bring your vehicle in to get the leak repaired unless you like refilling the reservoir every so often. You smell something burning. If a burning smell is coming from your car, you want to pull over and figure out what's causing it. The aroma may mean that you are out of a fluid or it could also mean some of the fluid is leaking onto a hot engine part and burning up. It could also mean that your transmission fluid is overheating. You hear strange sounds. If you've owned your vehicle for a while, you're probably familiar with all the sounds that it makes when it's running normally, such as the purr of a well-tuned engine. If you’re hearing clanking, buzzing, knocking, or some other unusual sound, you want to have your vehicle checked right away. This could prove especially troublesome if you're in Neutral when the engine is supposed to be quiet. The noise may be a sign of a transmission problem or a component in your engine that is no longer functioning properly. If you wait too long, that component may break and cost plenty of money to repair. Getting your transmission serviced. If you're experiencing any of the warning signs previously listed, take your vehicle into the Service Department of Preston hood Chevrolet at Fort Walton Beach, FL. Our highly trained technicians are factory-certified to work on your brand. We use only manufacturer-approved parts to keep your car running like new. With every service visit, we also offer a Multi-Point Inspection that allows us to detect issues before they become major problems. You can wait for your repair to finish at our customer lounge, which offers TV, an Internet cafe, and refreshments. Or you can head back home or to work using our complimentary shuttle.

Most people rely heavily on their vehicles and would be lost without them. Therefore, you must keep your vehicle running at its best. Some items should be checked on a regular basis when it comes to your vehicle. When you take early steps, you can preserve your car's life and keep it running when you need it. Often the most challenging part is knowing what needs to be done and when. Below is a checklist of items that you should address on a regular basis when it comes to your vehicle. Oil and Coolant You should regularly check your coolant levels. Once a month or every fourth gas fill-up, check your coolant and oil levels. You definitely want to check the levels before taking a long trip. Check the fluids once your engine is cool and ensure they are at the appropriate levels. When levels get too low, they can harm your engine. You want to change your oil regularly. The type is oil your vehicle uses dictates how often it should be changed. The length of time ranges from three months or 3,000 miles to between 5,000 to 10,000 miles. Keeping your oil clean is essential to reduce wear and tear, call the engine, and prevent corrosion. If you are not sure how often to change your oil, visit Pogue Chevrolet GMC for assistance. The coolant in your car is essential for keeping your engine from overheating. It would be best if you had your coolant flushed and exchanged based on the manufacturer's recommendation. This helps remove contaminants that build up in the coolant and ensure that the radiator has the right amount of coolant in it. Air Filter The air filter is what regulates the amount of air that goes into your engine. This filter also keeps particles and debris away from your engine. When the engine gets the proper amount of air, it improves the life of your engine. Your owner's manual will tell you how often the air filter should be changed. Tires The tires on your vehicle are one of the most critical parts to ensure you have a fuel-efficient and safe ride. You should check your tire pressure at least once a month. You also want to check it before you take a long trip or if you have been carrying an extra load. If you have a spare, do not forget to check that. It would be best if you kept in mind that the pressure in your tires drops one pound for every 10 degrees the temperature drops. In addition to the pressure, you want to check your tires to make sure they have enough tread. You can use a penny to do a simple test. Many factors impact the wear on the tread of your tires. These factors include alignment and how you drive your car. This can wear down the tread differently on the rear and front tires. It would be best if you had your tires rotated with every oil change. This helps them to wear evenly and last longer. Lights You want to ensure all the lights on your vehicle are functioning correctly. This includes brake lights, headlights, parking lights, and turn signals. Your lights are easy to overlook because you do not see them unless you intentionally look at them. You may need a friend to help, but you should verify that all of your lights and turn signals are operating as expected about once per month. In addition to making sure they work, you want them to be well-positioned. Spark Plugs The spark plugs in your car are critical to ensuring your car starts when you turn the ignition. Spark plugs ignite the combination of air and gas in your vehicle, which ultimately starts its engine. When they are not working correctly, your car may lose power or will not run efficiently. You should have your spark plugs checked by the professional technicians at Pogue Chevrolet GMC if you feel like your car is losing power. You should also check your spark plugs regularly so you do not find yourself in a position where your vehicle loses power. If you think your car requires any of the services listed above, make an appointment with the knowledgeable and skilled technicians at Pogue Chevrolet GMC. They will be sure to service your car properly to get you back on the road.

Your car’s transmission stands out as a complex piece of machinery that converts the power of your engine into the movement of your wheels. It can prove costly to repair if you allow its problems to go on unattended. Here are a few warning signs that your car has transmission issues. The check engine light is on. When this light that looks like a small engine turns on in your dashboard, you may have a problem with your engine, transmission, or something else. It may illuminate for something as trivial as a loose fuel cap, which only requires tightening to turn the light off. But you may have a more serious problem, especially if the light is blinking. Take your vehicle in right away so that our mechanics can read the code produced by this light and pinpoint the actual cause. Transmission response is slow or nonexistent. When you move the gearshift, your transmission should respond immediately and switch gears as needed. If your transmission is slow to respond or not responding at all, then you may have a problem. The gears are grinding. If you have a manual transmission, grinding gears may mean that the clutch disk is not disengaging from the flywheel when you step on the clutch. You need to replace the clutch. If you're driving an automatic, the gears sound rough, or gears start switching on your own, the problems can include transmission synchronizers that need to be calibrated. Your vehicle shakes or vibrates. If your transmission is working perfectly, it will shift smoothly, especially if it's automatic. If your car starts to shake or vibrate every time you change gears, then this problem is probably going to get worse. If you wait too long to get a check, your gears may disintegrate. If you have a manual transmission, unusual vibrations may just require that the clutch be adjusted or replaced. Fluid under the car. If you pull your vehicle from out of a parking spot, such as in your garage, and you notice puddles underneath, one of your vehicle’s essential fluids may be leaking. If you have been running your air-conditioner, that fluid is most likely condensed liquid and is not a problem. However, if the fluid is a dark reddish-brown, then transmission fluid is leaking from somewhere in your system. Temporarily refill the transmission reservoir as indicated in your owner's manual. But you will eventually have to bring your vehicle in to get the leak repaired unless you like refilling the reservoir every so often. You smell something burning. If a burning smell is coming from your car, you want to pull over and figure out what's causing it. The aroma may mean that you are out of a fluid or it could also mean some of the fluid is leaking onto a hot engine part and burning up. It could also mean that your transmission fluid is overheating. You hear strange sounds. If you've owned your vehicle for a while, you're probably familiar with all the sounds that it makes when it's running normally, such as the purr of a well-tuned engine. If you’re hearing clanking, buzzing, knocking, or some other unusual sound, you want to have your vehicle checked right away. This could prove especially troublesome if you're in Neutral when the engine is supposed to be quiet. The noise may be a sign of a transmission problem or a component in your engine that is no longer functioning properly. If you wait too long, that component may break and cost plenty of money to repair. Getting your transmission serviced. If you're experiencing any of the warning signs previously listed, take your vehicle into the Service Department of Preston hood Chevrolet at Fort Walton Beach, FL. Our highly trained technicians are factory-certified to work on your brand. We use only manufacturer-approved parts to keep your car running like new. With every service visit, we also offer a Multi-Point Inspection that allows us to detect issues before they become major problems. You can wait for your repair to finish at our customer lounge, which offers TV, an Internet cafe, and refreshments. Or you can head back home or to work using our complimentary shuttle.