Vehicle Classics

Common Repairs That Are Performed On Automotive Transmissions

Your vehicle’s engine receives a lot of attention. Everybody from muscle car enthusiasts to salespeople on the dealership lot recites horsepower numbers like baseball statistics. But, the transmission is a far more complex piece of machinery. It’s more than just a gearbox. There are an assortment of components and systems within the housing that perform their respective jobs outside the limelight.

Eventually, the parts wear down and your tranny will begin to fail. At some point, you’ll need to replace them. However, there are many problems that can be resolved by making a few adjustments or repairs without removing the assembly from your vehicle. Here are two of the most common:

#1 – Resealing Work

Over time, leaks can occur. You might have noticed a small patch of reddish oil on the ground when moving your car. That implies that a seal or gasket has developed a leak. When you take your vehicle to a mechanic, he’ll probably put it on lifts to identify the source. If it truly is a leaking seal or gasket, he can reseal them and eliminate the leak without lifting your transmission. That said, if the leak is coming from the front seal, your mechanic will be unable to reach it without lifting the entire assembly. That becomes expensive.

#2 – Replacing Components

As noted, there are several parts and systems within your transmission; some of them will eventually need to be replaced. The good news is that a technician can reach many of these components by first taking out the oil pan. There is one small caveat, though. Every tranny is a little different. The components that are accessible on one assembly may be inaccessible on another (without removing it from your vehicle). Plus, because the mechanic can only inspect a limited range of parts while the assembly is still in your car, he’ll be unwilling to offer warranty coverage.

When An Overhaul Is Necessary

Sometimes, replacing a few internal parts or resealing areas that have developed leaks won’t fix a persistent problem. If that’s the case, your mechanic will likely recommend an overhaul. He’ll remove the transmission from its cavity and dismantle the entire assembly. Then, he’ll take a look at each component to check whether it has sustained a high level of wear and tear. If it has, that component is replaced. If not, it’s cleaned. Most of the parts that deteriorate naturally (for example, the clutch, gaskets, etc.) are replaced.

Next, the mechanic will check to see whether any changes are recommended by the manufacturer. If so, he’ll make those changes. Finally, he’ll reassemble the transmission and place it back into its cavity. Because he has been able to inspect every part, he’ll usually offer a warranty on the work he has performed.

When your transmission misbehaves, don’t immediately think it needs to be replaced. Take your car to a trusted technician and let him take a look. There’s a good chance he won’t need to remove the assembly in order to fix the problem.

Vehicle Classics

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Tips For Buying A New Or Used Sedan

If buying an SUV seems like overkill for your limited cargo needs and a pickup truck doesn’t quite fit your personal style, a sedan may be right up your alley. There are several categories, from small to luxury, and each offers a unique blend of comfort, attractive aesthetics, and practical utility. Most cars in this class are also fuel-efficient while delivering impressive engine performance.

In this article, I’ll provide four tips for buying a sedan. Whether you intend to buy a new or used model, the following guidelines will help you select a vehicle that meets your expectations.

#1 – Consider A Six-Cylinder Engine

Smaller cars in this class typically have 4-cylinder engines. They tend to be more fuel-efficient that larger engines, but the disparity between a 4-cylinder and a 6-cylinder is diminishing. Today’s larger engines are almost as fuel-efficient as smaller ones. Plus, they deliver more power and a smoother ride.

#2 – Pick A Drivetrain That Suits Your Environment

FWD, RWD, or AWD? The majority of cars that are built today come with front-wheel drive. When the roads are wet and slick, this type of drivetrain offers more traction and control than RWD vehicles. That said, rear-wheel drive offers more overall steering control under normal driving conditions. All-wheel drive isn’t as popular as the other two drivetrains, but many sedans come with it. Like FWD, it is especially effective on slippery roads. If you live in a location that receives a lot of rainfall, FWD or AWD cars will provide more control on the road.

#3 – Test The Trunk

Don’t simply judge a trunk by its space. You should also consider how comfortable it is to work with. For example, if you’re a regular golfer, you’ll be loading and unloading your clubs often. Make sure the trunk’s height and design allow you to do so easily. The same is true if you travel often. You’ll be lifting your suitcases into the trunk repeatedly. If it’s too high, it will quickly become an inconvenience. A generous trunk can still be hard to work with.

#4 – Sit In The Back Seats

Buyers often become enamored with a sedan without checking to see whether the back passenger seats offer enough room. Sit in them. You should be able to move the front seats all the way back without significantly encroaching on the back passengers’ leg space. The best way to test them is to first sit in the driver’s seat and adjust it so you’re comfortable. Then, sit in the seat behind the driver to check whether there’s enough space.

Buying a new or used sedan is a matter of personal taste and needs. The cars in this class offer general purpose utility, but that utility can mean different things to different people. Whether you prefer a small 4-cylinder or spacious V8, there is a sedan that can seamlessly fit your style.

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Bumper And Height Disparity: How It Costs Drivers

Think back to the last time you maneuvered a bumper car. Chances are, all of the cars looked identical and stood at the same height. When you collided with another driver, the rubber tubing that surrounded your vehicle bounced against tubing surrounding the other car. As a result, the rubber bore the brunt of the impact. From a safety perspective, the homogeneity of the vehicles was good; it ensured the bumpers would be at the same height, would absorb the collision impact, and protect the drivers.

That same homogeneity has been sacrificed on our roads and highways. As sales of SUVs, trucks, and other large automobiles surged over the last 15 years, a disparity in height has grown. Below, we’ll explore the effects of this disparity in the context of collision damage and auto repair bills.

The False Perception Of Safety

There was a time when cars were equipped with sturdy bumpers. They prevented severe structural damage during front and rear accidents; they also protected motorists by absorbing the majority of collision impact. When government regulations began to focus on higher fuel efficiency, automakers responded by designing lighter alternatives. The less they weighed, the more easily carmakers could meet fuel efficiency requirements.

Of course, that led to less-sturdy material being used, which in turn, led to lower safety standards. Making matters worse, SUVs and large vehicles are not required to carry bumpers at all. When they do carry them, they’re usually installed purely for aesthetic reasons.

Low-Speed Collisions Are Still Expensive

A common fallacy among drivers is that low-speed collisions rarely result in serious structural damage to the vehicles involved. In truth, they can and often do result in expensive damage. Comprehensive tests conducted by the Insurance Institute For Highway Safety (IIFHS) have found accidents involving SUVs and sedans can cause major damage to both vehicles at speeds under 10 miles per hour.

The reason is due to two factors: the lack of a bumper (as in the case of many SUVs) and the disparity in their height when they are present. Indeed, in some accidents, they never make contact with each other.

The Financial Impact To Motorists

One of the challenges for motorists is that low-speed accidents can result in hefty repair bills that fall beneath their auto insurance deductible. It is not uncommon for a low-speed collision between a sedan and SUV to result in thousands of dollars in structural damage. In some cases, it can render both vehicles inoperable. The problem is that in order to reduce auto insurance premiums, many drivers opt for a high deductible. As a result, they are forced to pay for repairs that bumpers were originally designed to help prevent.

One day, we may see a return to a fleet of vehicles that are relatively homogeneous in height. Until then, there is little that drivers can do other than remaining cautious behind the wheel.

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