Symptoms of a Bad Transmission

The transmission is a critical component of overall vehicle operation and without it you would not be able to drive your car. A transmission allows you to move your vehicle forwards and backwards at different speeds. For car owners, transmission failure can be a complete nightmare, costing thousands of dollars to fix or replace. Nobody knows when or where a transmission will fail, so there is another inconvenience of possibly being stranded in the middle of nowhere or on your way to an important function. Although transmission failure is not something any car owner wants to hear about, there are warning signs that may indicate your vehicle is having some kind of transmission problems. Remember, even if your vehicle is experiencing one or more of these warning signs, it does not necessarily mean it is the transmission. Symptoms of a bad transmission overlap with numerous other common vehicle problems, so it is always best to take your vehicle in to have it inspected before just jumping to any irrational conclusion. Bringing your vehicle in for an evaluation and possibly catching a minor problem before it becomes a major issues, might save you thousands of dollars. All that said, below are some of the more common symptoms of a bad transmission:

Leaky Fluid-transmissions require fluid in order to function and are the lifeblood of the transmission, serving to keep the internal parts cool and lubricated. One warning sign of a bad transmission is when your vehicle begins to leak transmission fluid. If you park on a white surface, such as a concrete driveway or in a garage, you will be able to tell if you have such fluid leakage. If you park on a dirt or grass surface you will need to place a white cloth or blanket underneath the hood part of your car to find such leakage. If you notice any pinkish fluid leaking out, then you will know that it is from the transmission. Also any very dark or burned looking fluid is another sign that the transmission may be having a problem since optimal color should be a dark or cherry red. Any fluids leaking from your vehicle are cause for concern and warrant taking your vehicle to get transmission repair at as soon as possible.

Slipping-another warning sign is transmission gear slippage. This is usually one of the more common signs of transmission failure. You will know if there is a slippage problem if you try to accelerate from a stopped position. Vehicles with normal functioning transmissions allow for a smooth acceleration without hesitation, however a vehicle that may be experiencing a transmission problem would slow down this acceleration process and at the same time your vehicle's RPM spikes up. A jerking motion when putting the vehicle in gear or accelerating from a stand still would be a sign of gear slippage as well.

Surging-when driving your car at steady speeds, you should never notice any type of jerking movements. Bad transmissions usually cause vehicles to surge or lurch ahead. You might hear the RPM’s have a sudden increase as well. Again, this issue needs to be solved right away and you should take your car to a service center as soon as you’re able.

Any Type of Burning Odor-a burning smell can be many things, and this includes your transmission. A burning odor coming from your transmission fluid means the fluid has broken down. When this happens, corrosive agents and varnish accumulate throughout the transmission. When this happens, heat builds up and can ultimately cause complete transmission failure. Transmission overheating can be disastrous, so if you ever smell any kind of burning odor, stop driving immediately until you have your vehicle checked out by a professional.

Non-existent Transmission Action-transmissions that do not engage no matter what gear you are in can indicate a serious transmission problem. There could also be some sort of electronic failure causing your transmission not to engage, so best thing to do is have it looked at right away to determine the extent of the problem. Many repair shops will offer free towing with repair if you’re within a certain distance from their location.

Dashboard Lights-your dashboard is your friend and usually (not all the time) if your vehicle is having a problem a warning light will come on to alert you. If you notice that your check engine light comes on, take your vehicle in for an inspection as soon as possible. Although the check engine light can be indicative of many things, even something as simple as an electronic sensor or computer chip malfunction, it can also indicate a possible transmission problem, so it is always better to be safe than sorry here. Don’t always think the worst case scenario just because you see warning lights come on in your vehicle. Your vehicle is simply alerting you that an issue needs to be addressed.

There are many things that can go wrong when driving your vehicle, so it is always wise to have your vehicle checked on a routine basis and at specific mileage intervals according to your owner's manual. There are over 300 moving parts in many transmissions and any one of these could be the cause of your problem. A transmission problem is usually the extreme when it comes to diagnosing different vehicle problems, but it is a problem that no car owner desires to have. As soon as you notice any of the above symptoms or other abnormalities when driving your vehicle, don’t take chances and have the vehicle checked out. Routine maintenance can be a low cost of way of preventing major transmission failure down the road. Although there are no guarantees of preventing any kind of possible transmission problems, having knowledge about the symptoms of a bad transmission may prevent further damage to this vital component and save you a lot of money in the long run.

Auto Air Condition - Keep Cool!

If your auto air conditioning system is giving you problems, you might  need the help of a specialist. However, sometimes you can fix some of the more minor problems yourself, or at least arrange for a stopgap measure until you actually get the time to visit a car repair shop. For that you need to be familiar with the inner workings of your auto air conditioning system, and be acquainted with the more common problems that such systems face.

The first thing you need to realize is that the A/C in your car is basically just a fridge. You have mostly the same parts, with a design change. Given below are the most common parts of a car air conditioner:-

The Compressor: - The compressor pressurizes the refrigerant and circulates it throughout your car. Compressors usually malfunction if there is a leak in the system

The Condenser: - The condenser's job is twofold. First, as can be guessed from its name, the condenser cools the refrigerant by removing excess heat from it. Second, it catches any debris coming from the compressor. Condensers are expensive and cannot be replaced frequently; at least not without causing a severe dent in your pocket, so it's better to clean and repair them when necessary.

The Refrigerant: - This is what collects the heat from inside your vehicle and dumps it outside. In modern cars it's a substance called R134a, whereas older cars have something called Freon. Freon has been gradually phased out because of the damage it causes to the ozone layer.

The Expansion Valve: - This is a type of nozzle that controls the pressure and flow of the refrigerant.

The Evaporator: - This transfers the heat from your car to the refrigerant, effectively cooling your car.

These are the basic parts of your car air conditioner, and while knowing them will not allow you to do the work of a skilled auto technician, they can help identify the more common A/C related problems and decide which one needs immediate attention.

For those looking to fix their auto air conditioning, ChuckandEddies.com has quite a few options. We sell most all A/C components at cool prices.   Search for the right part for your vehicle at ChuckandEddies.com  and stay comfy and cool during the hot summer months.

Your car...Your friend...Your Lifeline

For most of us, our cars are more than just heavy slabs of metal.  Some of us are obsessed with our vehicles.  We demand that they run well and look good.  

Depending upon where you live int he world, the family car plays many roles.  Those of us living in rural areas depend on our vehicles to get from place to place every day.   Even those in urban areas rely on their cars to get out of town from time to time. 

When something goes wrong with our car, we sometimes panic.  How will we get to work?  How will the kids get to school?   How will we get our weekly groceries?    For these reasons alone, it's important to keep your car in tip-top running condition. 

Keeping a car in optimum shape can be difficult these days given our current economic climate.  This is where repairing your vehicle with quality used parts comes into play.  Used parts will save you thousands of dollars over time.  Just be sure to purchase from a dealer like Chuck and Eddie's where all parts come with a very liberal warranty period. 

If you listen to the evening news, it doesn't sound like our economy will be taking a turn for the better any time soon.  All the more reason to keep the current vehicle in good running shape.  Many of us can not afford high car payments, interest and high insurance costs associated with purchasing a new car.   You'll be surprised how long a vehicle will last with the proper maintenance and attention to the vehicle itself.  Your car will tell you when it's ready for a new part.   Most of the time it's just a new, unexpected sound under the hood or in one of the wheels.  If not taken care of at that stage, the sound could escalate to a more serious situation, like a break down.   

At the first sign of trouble, find out what part needs attention or replacement. Get the job done as soon as you can to avoid additional costs and inconveniences.   Log on to ChuckandEddies.com, find the part you need and order it.   We know you need the part fast, so you'll get it fast.  

Don't get stuck, rely on Chuck (and Eddie's).

--Bruce Zubee
    Ecommerce Manager
    ChuckandEddies.com

Great News For Our International Customers!

ChuckandEddies.com has partnered with Bongo International to offer overseas customers with a better, cost-effective way to ship items. Bongo International provides our customers with their very own U.S. address. Once you have a U.S. address, you will be able to make purchases with us as well as other U.S. based online retailers. Bongo receives your purchases and logs them into their online system which you can use to view your items and consolidate them with multiple orders.

International customers can save up to 82% off typical international shipping rates. It's a simple process. First, click here to register with Bongo International. For a very small fee, Bongo International will assign you a United States address that you will use as both your billing and shipping address. Your purchase will be shipped to one of Bongo International's shipping location where it will be forwarded to your physical international address. You benefit from Bongo International's high shipping volume by enjoying low rates. As much as 82% lower than other shipping methods. We're happy to be able to bring this valuable service to our International customers!

New Promo Offers HOT Prizes!

Beginning today, April 17th, 2012, ChuckandEddies.com has launched a new promo entitled "WIN THIS!". Everyone who makes a purchase on the ChuckandEddies.com website will be entered into a drawing to win a prize worth hundreds of dollars! This month's giveaway is an Apple IPAD-2! This drawing is available ONLY to those who purchase on the ChuckandEddies.com website. Ebay purchases, phone orders and counter sales do not qualify.

Every month we'll offer and new high-end prize. If you don't win one month, keep trying! Be sure to ready the official page of our WIN THIS! Promo for all the details.

Good Luck and happy shopping!

Work Safety Wear

Many of us don't consider the risks when working or even playing outdoors during the warmer months. If you're work area is in close proximity to moving vehicles, it's important that you can been seen. High Visibility clothing is the answer.

Today's hi vis work wear is comfortable and practical. Our ChuckStop.com website offers the finest in high visibility clothing for work and play. This time of year, our Hi Vis Tee Shirts are the hot sellers. Treated with a Dupont Teflon fabric protector, our shirts will repel stains and debris, keeping you clean all day long.

Our safety wear isn't just for the working person. Joggers, bikers and walkers find our shirts, vests and jackets not only safe but comfortable too.

Why not take a look at our inventory of fine high visibility garments at ChuckStop.com. You'll find the finest quality, the best price and FREE SHIPPING TOO!

Hot Dog Anyone?

Beginning this week, Chuck and Eddie's will be serving up hamburgers, hot dogs and a few other goodies at their headquarters in the Plantsville section of Southington (CT).

Charlie's Trolley, a food wagon has been set up right outside the retail parts store at Chuck and Eddies to offer a quick breakfast and lunch to customers coming to purchase parts. The food will be fresh and reasonably priced.

Charlie's Trolley will serve breakfast sandwiches and coffee during morning hours and burgers, dogs and fixin's for lunch. The wagon will be open from Monday through Saturday.

So, if you're in the area, be sure to stop by for a bite. We'd love to see you!