Pickup Trucks

Transmissions are one of the most complex systems under the hood. In fact, that’s the reason many auto repair garages will refuse to work on them. Some might perform minor repairs, but will refer you to a transmission shop for anything more extensive. There are a lot of parts involved in the system, and mechanics hate to cause bigger problems.

This level of complexity often makes transmissions one of the least understood components to drivers. Adding to the confusion, they’re designed differently. Some are designed for front wheel drive while others are designed for rear wheel drive. In this article we will look at some of the differences. I’ll describe your transmission’s job and help you decipher the pros and cons of a RWD and FWD.

Understanding Its Job

Your car’s engine generates power through its 4-stroke combustion process. That power must be delivered to your drive wheels in order to turn them. Also, it’s worth noting that your engine has a range of RPMs in which it operates at maximum efficiency. Your transmission has two jobs. First, it needs to deliver the power generated by the engine to the drive wheels. Second, it needs to perform this task while keeping your engine operating within its optimal range of RPMs.

This is accomplished through several gears. In low gears, the engine must turn more quickly in order to power the wheels. In higher gears, it doesn’t have to work as hard. The transmission helps the engine advance from first gear to higher gears while keeping your car moving at higher speeds.

RWD Versus FWD

If your car has rear wheel drive, the transmmission will be located on the back part of your engine. A drive shaft will connect it to the rear axle. As your engine generates power and turns the crankshaft, that power is transferred though the transmission to the drive shaft and ultimately, to the rear axle. The rear axle spins, which causes your tires to rotate.

While the concept behind the power flow is similar, a front wheel drive car works a little differently. The transmission is still located near the engine. With the final drive, it forms a transaxle. A front axle forms a connection with the transaxle, which delivers the power needed to rotate the front tires.

To keep the explanation simple, I’ve ignored the torque converter. In reality, power travels from the engine through the torque converter into the transmission. The other components work as described.

Is One Better Than The Other?

Modern vehicles usually have front wheel drive. An FWD weighs less, costs less to manufacture, and usually delivers higher fuel efficiency. On the other hand, an RWD distributes the weight more evenly across a car’s frame, which improves braking ability. Plus, because the design is less crowded than an FWD, it’s easier to service without taking everything apart. In the end, when choosing between RWD and FWD, consider your driving needs and the factors on which you place a high priority.

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Technorati Tags: automobiles, car maintenance, car repair, Car Transmissions, cars, transmission, vehicles

Cars, trucks, and SUVs are lasting longer. Automakers are now designing their automobiles with parts and systems that can outlast their predecessors by several years. That’s not to suggest that you should ignore regular maintenance items, especially if they’re recommended in your owner’s manual. Among them, keeping your fluids topped off will play a key role in avoiding costly repairs down the road. With that in mind, it's worth exploring the value of having your vehicle's transmission flushed. A lot of repair shops and dealership service bays recommend it, but is the service worthwhile?

In this article, I’ll describe how a flush is performed and what happens during the process. I’ll also explain some of the dangers of having it done to your car’s tranny. Lastly, we’ll take a closer look at the reasons auto garages and dealership technicians recommend the service.

How Is A Transmission Flushed?

The fluid in your tranny is similar to motor oil. When you put it in, it’s healthy. Over time, it breaks down and becomes polluted with contaminants. The more contaminated the fluid, the less effective it is at doing its job. Damage to the system becomes imminent. At that point, it’s important to have the old fluid replaced.

A transmission flush is a procedure that mechanics often recommend to force the old, contaminated material out of the system. This is accomplished by hooking a flushing machine to your tranny and using pressurized force to send cleaning solvents through the system. While this process sounds reasonable, it can really lead to long-term, costly problems.

The Potential For Creating Blockages

Throughout your vehicle’s transmission, there are small corridors through which fluids travel. Consider how the flush works. As noted, pressurized force is used to blast cleaning solvents through the system. During this process, collected gunk and sludge is broken loose. If these masses are large enough, they can partly clog the small corridors – often without the mechanic noticing the problem.

While you’re on the road (after having your tranny flushed), the partial blockage can impede the flow of the fluid and thereby, hamper your car’s ability to shift properly. Given enough time, the clogged corridors can result in expensive damage.

Why Is Flushing Recommended?

So, if the service is dangerous to your car’s transmission, why is it recommended? The answer is simpler than it seems. As noted, vehicles are built with parts that are lasting longer than ever. As a result, many auto repair garages are looking for alternative ways to boost their revenue. Flushing is an effective strategy to do that, even if there is an inherent danger to your vehicle’s tranny. After all, you’re not likely to be able to diagnose what caused a blockage in the system.

Another interesting note – and this is perhaps the most illuminating – is that automakers rarely, if ever, recommend flushing within their respective owner’s manuals. While it is worth having your transmission’s fluid drained periodically in order to remove the contaminated material, say no to flushing.

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Technorati Tags: car, car repair, transmission, transmission fluid, transmission flushing

You are probably well aware of that sinking feeling you get when you realize that your car needs expensive repairs.  Whether you were in an accident and need to replace a bumper, car door, or other body part, or wear and tear finally caught up to you and you need a new transmission, muffler, or shocks, finding and paying for new car parts can be extremely frustrating and expensive. 

If you are in the market for parts for your car and want to save money and likely save time, why not check out the options in the used car parts market.  Used auto parts can provide you with the convenience and price you need while also offering you the highest of quality.  There are many reasons why looking for used car parts for sale is a smart choice and, after finding out more, you will likely be sold on the idea of checking out used auto parts online.

One of the biggest advantages to buying used car parts online is that you can save a lot of money over buying new parts.  New parts tend to come with a huge markup and, especially if you have a foreign model or unusual car, can cost exorbitant amounts. 

When you decide to buy used instead of new, you can often save up to 60 or 70 percent of the cost of a new part- even when the difference in quality is slight or none.  This makes it affordable to take care of repairs that are usually considered expensive and to be able to keep your vehicle in top running order. 

As used auto parts are a much more affordable alternative to new ones, you will likely enjoy hundreds or thousands of dollars in savings when opting for cheap used car parts.

Though cost is a big factor in deciding whether to buy new or used auto body parts, there are also many other reasons why used auto parts are a smart decision.  Thanks to the Internet and the ability to access companies like Basic Car Parts, you can find the parts you need extremely easily and quickly.

Basic Car Parts, for instance, has nationwide sourcing of barely used car parts which it can reference with the parts you are looking for and quickly get into your hands.  With online used car parts dealers, you can expect very easy access to the used car parts you need without even having to call salvage yards or car recycling shops. 

Between the convenience of the used car parts buying experience and the money-saving factor, you will find using a used auto parts dealer a very satisfying experience.

Not only can getting your car parts from a used auto parts dealer provide you with convenience and savings, but it can also lead to a shorter wait for your car parts than if you decided to get them new. 

Often, when ordering new parts, there is a long waiting period because of need for assembly, backorders, or trouble with part location.  However, with used auto body parts, you have access to parts that are already assembled and ready to go throughout the nation.  This makes it very quick and easy to get the parts you need within a timely manner.

Used car parts have tons of advantages over new ones and are often of the same quality or better than if you got them new.Because of this, if you enjoy saving money and time, it is well worth contacting the used parts dealer, Basic Car Parts, for your car part needs.

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Technorati Tags: auto, body, car, engine, exterior, fender, interior, motor, new, part, parts, transmission, use, used