My check engine light is on. Is it safe to drive?

Basic rule that holds true with any vehicle, if the check engine light is on steady, and the vehicle is running ok with good oil pressure and not overheating, then it should be safe to drive until you can have the vehicle checked by your shop. If however the check engine light is flashing, and or you detect a performance problem, then it’s not recommended to drive the vehicle any distance.

My battery light is on in the dash. Is it safe to drive?

Normally when the battery light is on, that indicates a possible issue with the alternator. If indeed the alternator isn’t recharging the battery, you run the risk of being stranded if driven as the battery voltage will become depleted.

When should I have maintenance items like spark plugs, driveline fluids, timing belt, filters, etc?

By far the easiest way to keep up with all the maintenance items on your vehicle is to stay close to the Manufacturer’s recommended service schedule. Remember all vehicles may not have the same service intervals for a certain item. So It’s always best to check the owner's manual for your specific vehicle.

We are driving on a long trip soon, but my car isn’t due for any maintenance yet. Should I have the vehicle looked over before leaving?

Absolutely 100% you should have the vehicle checked over before driving on any long trips. Things like spare tire pressure, quick visual inspection of tires for nails/cuts and pressures. Visual inspection under the hood to assure no leaks and all fluid levels are good. These things take maybe 15 minutes and are totally worth the piece of mind while traveling long distances.

There is a warning light on in my dash. What should I do? It seems to be running ok.

Every warning light on the instrument panel has a purpose. Warning lights are there to alert us that a computer/module has detected an abnormality in one of the systems on your vehicle. If you’re not sure what the light indicates, there is a section in your owner's manual that will give detailed information related to the light in question.

I have noticed a fluid leak under my car when parking ?

Any fluid leak should be inspected by your shop to verify the source. Trying to identify fluid on your driveway or parking lot can be a bit tricky. Coolant while water based, can have an oily feel on your fingers and may lead you to think it’s engine oil. Engine oil and transmission fluid are similar, but transmission fluid if not too spent, will have a red look unless it’s a CVT transmission. Engine oil could be darker looking, or clear if you just had the oil changed recently. Brake fluid is usually clear, but oily feeling much like engine oil. Checking the under hood fluid levels many times can lead you in the right direction.

How often should I change my engine oil?

I don’t think any 2 vehicle manufacturers are the same. At Creech Import Repair, we recommend every 5,000 miles to change the oil and filter. Many mfg’s recommend longer intervals, but if they extend past 5k we highly recommend checking the engine oil level every 1,000 miles. By nature of design, any internal combustion engine is going to use or consume some amount of oil. Also detergent in oil is designed to suspend by-products of combustion, which is what eventually turns the engine oil dark. At some point the detergent content will become loaded and can’t store anymore. This is the point when the engine can start to gum up inside with deposits and can be harmful to your engine and shorten its life.

Transmissions and Their Progressive Development

Transmissions/Transaxle

The transmission is on your engine to transfer the rotational force of your crankshaft to the drive axles. The MINI brand was the first to transversely mount the transmission to maximize interior space in their front-wheel drive (FWD) subcompact cars. This transversely on the transmission is a transaxle. The transaxle has become the standard for many FWD vehicles today.

Role of the Differential

A transmission has a drive shaft that connects to a differential gearbox. The differential transfers varying degrees of rotational force to each wheel. A transaxle also has a differential but encased within the unit itself. A differential is necessary because each wheel rotates at different speeds while turning. Your differential may start to whine or wear prematurely. That is, if you fail to change the gear oil using the factory-recommended brand or specifications.

Mechanical/Electronically Controlled

An electronically controlled transmission upgrades the valve body of mechanically controlled transmissions with computer-controlled solenoids. The solenoids activate various hydraulic circuits to divert pressure into particular clutch packs. The electronic controls also rely on speed sensors. The sensors provide data to the transmission computer in order to calibrate the ideal settings for particular driving modes.

The benefits of an electronically controlled automatic transmission over the older mechanical dinosaurs are manifold in performance and questionable in reliability. The valves in the modern electronic valve body are made of a particular type of thermal-expansion plastic that expands as it is heated. This is necessary to retain ideal operating pressures because the ATF (automatic transmission fluid) thins as it gives off heat. Over time, these valves can become gummed up and sticky. Sticky valves or particles not caught by the filter can cause hesitation in shifting or entirely immobilize a vehicle.

Transmission Fluid

It is dicey to power flush transmission fluid. The problem is that flushing the fluid can dislodge particles that interfere with the sealing of precisely fitted hydraulic circuits. Many trans today are seal and unserviceable because they are filled with a high-quality trans fluid that lasts the life of the vehicle. When there is a problem with the transmission, it is cheaper to install a brand-new or remanufactured replacement due to the complexity of the systems and difficulty in shops repairing transmissions. Hydraulic transmission is the most complex piece of machinery in your vehicle and requires sterile lab-like conditions to service.

Heat is the leading cause of transmission failure. The hot spots that were once common in the conventional dino oil that filled them would deteriorate under heat and be consumed by the volatility. Modern full synthetic trans fluids more evenly distribute heat because they are more homogeneous at a molecular level and resistant to volatility. They also provide better viscosity and resistance to break down under high pressures. This prevents premature wear and tear that once disabled transmissions. Transmission fluid coolers act similar to the radiator that cools your engine to extend the life of transmissions.

Manual Transmissions

A manual trans typically requires gear oil changes at intervals. The intervals may reach 30,000 miles or more, depending on the quality of the lubricant recommended by the manufacturer. A manual trans is more serviceable. The clutches and gears are far less complex than those assembled in an automatic. Owners prefer manual trans for the crispness of the shifting control, typically improved fuel economy, and rugged durability.

Other types of Transmissions

There are many other types of transmissions hitting the market as technology improves. CVT is becoming popular for the smoothness of the shifting. However, some feel that the shifting is too smooth and miss the drive that a gear set ranges their mobility within. As a result, many luxury and performance automakers are switching to multiple gears of 8 or more to provide smoothness without sacrificing the driving force that a gear set can influence. Your vehicle needs multiple gears only because of the manner that gasoline engines output power in varying ranges of the RPM powerband. Electric motors only require one gear because the powerband is predictable and linear the entire span.

Creech Import Trans. Service

Most of the service we perform today is computer-related diagnostics for the electronic components of your transmission, adjustments, calibrations, and replacement of clutches or units. If your transmission is slipping, hard shifting, or making any noises, call us as soon as possible to prevent a catastrophic failure.