The Heat is ON

Welcome to summer in Saint Louis, where the heat and humidity are high. During these summer months is it important to check your fluid levels on your vehicle regularly. By making sure your engine oil is topped off will help keep your engine running great. Along with checking your oil it is imperative you make sure your antifreeze is full since your radiator will be working overtime to keep your engine cool. Last but not least check over the transmission fluid to make sure the level is full and there is no burnt smell to it.  If you are not sure not to check your levels on any of your fluids please bring your vehicle by one of our St. Louis Transmission Association locations and we will gladly check these for you to ensure you get the most out of your vehicle.

New Site

After many months of planning and putting all our information together we are pleased to announce the launch of our new and improved website. Check us out at www.stlouistransmission.com

THE 10 TOP SIGNS OF A POSSIBLE TRANSMISSION PROBLEM

1. The check engine light is on.

2. Your transmission is not shifting like it usually does.

3. When shifting from gear to gear as you are accelerating the shifts seem too firm or too soft.

4. When driving and trying to accelerate, if your RPMs are rising but you are not accelerating, your internal clutches could be slipping.

5. Fluid is leaking on to your driveway, garage floor or ground and the fluid is red.

6. Your vehicle goes into “Limp Mode”. This can occur when your check engine light is on and you are trying to pull away. You will notice that your acceleration is very poor because your onboard computer is putting the transmission into second gear as you accelerate.

7. When accelerating onto a highway and you are going through the gears to reach highway speed your RPMs do not drop. This is called going into “Lock Up”.

8. You notice a decrease in fuel mileage.

9. You hear a strange noise or noises as the car is shifting gears.

10. You check your transmission fluid and it is not red or it smells burnt. (Some vehicles do not have a transmission fluid dip stick. You can bring your vehicle by one of our locations and we will check your fluid free of charge.)

Winterizing Your Vehicle

1. Double check the air pressure in your tires and make sure it is correct. You can check the door plaque on the driver’s side of the vehicle to see the manufacturer’s recommended pressure. Don’t forget to check your spare tire.
2. Check the depth of the tread on your tires. To make sure your tread is deep enough try the penny trick. Insert a penny in the tread – if the tread doesn’t go to or cover Lincoln’s head you need new tires.
3. Check your washer fluid to make sure it is filled with non-freezing fluid. On vans or SUVs don’t forget your rear washer fluid.
4. Check your coolant level on the overflow container. There is a mark on the container showing the level for a hot or cold vehicle.
5. Check your oil level using the fill lines on your dipstick.
6. Check your transmission fluid. Usually you can find the directions to do this on your transmission’s dipstick or in your owner’s manual. Some cars do not have a dipstick, if so, you can bring them to one of our locations where we have the equipment to check them. One of our technicians will do this free of charge.
7. Check your wiper blades to make sure they are not torn or broken. If you have an SUV or a van don’t forget to check your rear wiper. It is recommended that you check your wipers yearly.
8. You might want to purchase and/or assemble an emergency kit to carry in your vehicle. It should include a blanket, jumper cables, reflectors, a candle, a flashlight and a hat and gloves. You can find emergency kits at many stores including any Wal-Mart or Target.