Tips To Check Transmission Fluid

Of all of the necessary components needed to run a car, the transmission is by far one of the most important. It is where all of the gear shifting is done and this type of thing can be incredibly expensive to repair in the event that it becomes damaged. Transmission fluid needs to be checked regularly much the same way that oil needs to be. It is something that you don't want to forget about if you want to keep your car in the best running condition possible. Checking the transmission fluid is a vital part of car maintenance .Transmission fluid should be checked around every 25,000 miles or so. The fluid and the filter must be changed regularly so that they do not become dirty.

To neglect this could lead to contaminants building up in the fluid and that is not going to be good. You should never mess around when it comes to your transmission.Always pay attention to your car as you drive. When you get to know how it sounds when operating smoothly, you will know when something is wrong. If you know your car then a new or strange sound or feeling will not be missed by you. Pay attention so that you can assess any situations as they arise.If you feel that it is necessary or you have a mechanic recommend it, you can always have your transmission fluid flushed out.

This will help force out any dirt or grime that may be inside the fluid. Some mechanics recommend against a transmission flush so look into this before you make your choice so you can base it on information.It's not a good idea to let your vehicle sit for long periods of time. If it goes without proper service for too long there is a higher chance that you could have metal shavings or other problem items make their way inside. A transmission that is bogged down with metal and junk will need tremendous amounts of care to be in good running shape again.When you check your transmission fluid, always have your vehicle parked on level ground so that you get the right fluid amount. An angle could throw that off a lot and it is not something that you can guess at.

Leave the car idling as you check the fluid. This is one of those maintenance checks that require that the car be left on rather than turned off.Pull out the transmission dipstick and check what the reading says. If it doesn't quite reach the full line then it is low and needs to be topped up. Adding more transmission fluid is not really all that difficult but you must be careful not to add too much. If you do not feel comfortable doing this yourself, you can take it to your local mechanic to have it done. Before you add transmission fluid to your vehicle, make sure that it is the best possible one for your vehicle. Not every transmission is the same.

Free Tips on Torque Converter Operation

The torque converter is one of the least understood components in an automatic transmission equipped vehicle. I will attempt to explain what it does and how it does it.
The torque converter has a few different functions.
We first need to understand that there is no direct link between the crankshaft and the transmission input shaft (except in the case of a lock up style converter, but we'll talk about that later). This means that the first function of the converter is to connect the crankshaft and the input shaft so the engine can move the vehicle; this is accomplished through the utilization of a fluidic coupling effect.
The torque converter also replaces the clutch that is required in a manual transmission; this is how an automatic transmission vehicle can come to a stop while still being in gear without stalling the engine.

The torque converter also acts as a torque multiplier, or extra gear ratio, to help the car get moving from a stop. In modern day converters this theoretical ratio is anywhere between 2:1 and 3:1.
Torque converters consist of 4 major components that we need to concern ourselves with for the purpose of explanation.
The first component, which is the driving member, is called the impeller or "pump". It is connected directly to the inside of the converter housing and because the converter is bolted to the flexplate, it is turning anytime that the engine rotates.
The next component, which is the output or driven member, is called the turbine. The transmission's input shaft is splined to it. The turbine is not physically connected to the to the converter housing and can rotate completely independently of it.
The third component is the stator assembly; its function is to redirect the flow of fluid between the impeller and the turbine, which gives the torque multiplication effect from a standstill.
The final component is the lock up clutch. At highway speeds this clutch can be applied and will provide a direct mechanical link between the crankshaft and input shaft, which will result in 100% efficiency between the engine and transmission. The application of this clutch is usually controlled by the vehicle's computer activating a solenoid in the transmission.
Here's how it all works. For the sake of simplicity, I will use the common analogy of two fans which represent the impeller and the turbine. Let's say that we have two fans facing each other and we turn only one of them on- the other fan will soon begin to move.

Clutch disc: Key to performance-grade Acura Transmission

Clutch discs are key components of the Acura transmission system. At just a step on the clutch pedal, one set of the Acura clutch discs mounted on the transmission gears engages the other on the rotating shaft of the gearbox. Once both sets of Acura clutch discs are engaged, the torque from the gearbox gets transferred to the drive wheels and drives the car. Generally, the clutch system links two shafts so that they can either be engaged and spin at the same speed, or disengaged and spin at different speeds. It likewise gives drivers full control of the car by streamlining the flow of torque and subjecting it to the input of the driver on the clutch pedal.

Depending on whether a manual or automatic transmission system is installed on an Acura, there are various Acura clutch designs available in the automotive industry. Majority of them are based on a design of two or more friction discs pressed tightly together or against a flywheel using springs. The friction materials used on Acura clutch discs are similar to the material used in brake shoes and pads and usually contain asbestos. Most car owners prefer the manual over automatic transmission because it offers greater control over speed selection for various conditions. When equipped with a manual transmission, the Acura offers greater fuel efficiency and clutch disc slippage is further minimized.
Because of its importance in a clutch assembly, the type of Acura clutch discs often necessitates the need for different clutch kits to be made available in the industry. Trucks and muscle cars generally use a clutch disc with a ceramic friction material, equipping their car with a clutch assembly that has increased traction. These so-called performance clutch discs have high traction and heat tolerance that allows for quicker shifting, but comes at the cost of rough engagements. Smooth performance, on the other hand, is what street cars and sedans require. And this is exactly what the asbestos friction compound of replacement Acura clutch discs provide. Clutch disc choices depend on the power grade of a particular Acura make.

Tips For Driving Manual Transmission

If you decide to buy a manual transmission vehicle then you’ll need to learn how to drive it because it’s a lot different then driving your regular automatic transmission vehicle. There are many things you need to learn and you should find someone you know who you can practice with in order to learn. Once you’ve learned how to drive manual transmission then you should also make sure to keep some tips in the back of your mind in case you run into problems. This article will outline some of the problems that arise and tips you should remember to prevent these problems from ever occurring.

When you park your car and it’s a manual transmission you should park the car in gear and then apply your parking brake. The reason you park it in gear rather then in neutral is to prevent it from rolling when you start it again. When in your driveway if you have room for allowing it to roll a little bit then I would park it in neutral but when on a hill or near other cars keep it in gear.
The ways to ensure you have your manual transmission in the right gear when driving is when it’s smooth and there isn’t any sputtering. If your car is sputtering then you need to switch your transmission to a lower gear and it you hear a very high pitched noise then you need to knock it down a gear or two. Try always making sure that you have it in the right gear and running smoothly without any noises.
The last thing you should always try avoiding is keeping the clutch down when riding around. At traffic lights place the car into neutral and let off of the clutch, as it wears your needle down and causes problems quickly.
If you can follow these simple tips then driving a manual transmission will soon become as simple as riding around in an automatic transmission. If you don’t follow these tips then your car will soon wear down very quickly and you’ll be replacing and fixing parts far more then you need to be and you should make sure that you avoid this at all costs or else it will cost you. A manual transmission is a lot more fun to drive I find and many of the sports cars nowadays are manual transmissions so it’s important to know how to drive a manual car.
The best way to learn is through the help of a family member or friend who already knows how to drive a manual transmission. You should go with them to an empty parking lot and practice there, so that you don’t hit anyone and so that you don’t look like a fool on the road. Once you have it down to a science you’ll be able to take your manual car out onto the roads. It shouldn’t take you long to get use to a manual transmission as long as you can follow a few simple rules.

Automatic transmission Car

A car with automatic transmission was first developed in the 1940's; the popularity of the automatic gear box has risen greatly from the 50's. They have become hugely successful in the United States and other parts of the world, but in Europe the old fashioned manual transmission still reins supreme with car customers. Having a car with an automatic transmission system means that there is no clutch pedal and there is no need to worry about gear changing as the automatic gear box does all the hard work for you. It's an argument of preference between purchasing a car with an automatic or a manual gear box.

Some advantages of both over the other are highlighted below.Advantages of AutomaticAutomatic cars are much easier to get used to, especially if you are a new, elderly or learner driver. Some people prefer them because there is no need to worry about which gear to select or the actual manual gear changing itself, the clever automatic transmission does it all for you, this is especially advantageous when driving through traffic or busy towns and cities as you don't have to worry about constantly changing gears as you would with a manual transmission. Learner drivers are allowed to learn and take their test in an automatic car which could turn out easier to pass, however if you do pass using an automatic car it will be on your licence and you will not be allowed under law to drive a manual transmission car.Advantages of ManualThe biggest benefit of using a car with manual transmission is you have a greater control over gear selection; gears can be selected and changed in accordance to the person's judgment and the situation in hand. There are also greater financial benefits if you own a manual transmission car, it is a well known fact that cars with an automatic gear box will use more fuel per journey over the same car in its class with a manual submission, which could be down to many facts such as automatic cars are usually heavier. Manual cars are not only cheaper to run but they are also cheaper to maintain, if something goes wrong with the transmission on an automatic car it can become very expensive indeed to fix. If your battery or something else related where you will need to bump start the car, this is very easy to do with a manual car as you put it in gear, roll down the hill and bump it, with an automatic car however you can't really do this so you will have to call for road side assistance instead.

Manual transmission cars are also slightly cheaper to purchase in the first place compared to cars with an automatic transmission.Technological advances in the car industry has enabled the gap between cars with automatic and manual submissions to shorten, as a result more and more people are investing their money in an automatic car as their next new automobile. For some people who are unsure, there are semi-automatic cars on the market which have an automatic transmission system but also they will usually feature an override button so you can switch to manual transmission using the gear stick.