Friday, 28 February 2014

Transmission Service: The Importance of Automatic Transmission Fluid (ATF)!

To meet the particular demands of a specific vehicle, automatic transmission fluids (aka "ATF") have many performance-enhancing chemicals added. As you have transmission service performed on your vehicle, you will want to understand the differences between the ATFs. Most ATFs contain some combination of additives to improve their lubricating qualities and that will help keep transmission repair to a minimum.

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These additives include:

  • anti-wear additives,
  • rust and corrosion inhibitors,
  • detergents,
  • dispersants and surfactants (which protect and clean metal surfaces),
  • kinematic viscosity and viscosity index improvers and modifiers,
  • seal swell additives and agents (which extend the rotational speed range and temperature range of the additives' application),
  • anti-foam additives and anti-oxidation compounds to inhibit oxidation and "boil-off" (which extends the life of the additives' application),
  • cold-flow improvers,
  • high-temperature thickeners,
  • gasket conditioners,
  • pour point depressant,
  • petroleum dye, and
  • friction modifiers (with a few exceptions).

There are many specifications for ATF under various brand names that are approved by each vehicle manufacturer. When scheduling a transmission service to replace ATF, be sure to ask your transmission repair technician or check your owner's manual for the ATF specification(s) recommended by the manufacturer for your specific vehicle. Using the correct ATF will prevent untimely transmission repair. Current OEM formulations are made from synthetic base stocks. Synthetic ATF is available on aftermarket brands, offering better performance and service life for certain applications (such as frequent trailer towing).

Some ATF specifications are open to competing brands where different manufacturers use different chemicals to meet the same performance specification. These products are sold under license from the OEM responsible for establishing the specification. However, a few vehicle manufacturers require "genuine" or Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) ATF to keep the vehicle covered under a warranty.

For expert advice on transmission repair, contact our ASE Certified Technicians at Price's Precision auto repair shop today by calling (406) 248-2838, or go on-line to www.pricesprecisionauto.com for more information about our transmission service. Our Tech-Net professional auto repair shop in Billings, MT, also services vehicle owners in the areas of Shepherd and Laurel, MT.

Friday, 21 February 2014

Need Your Vehicle to Last Longer? Visit An Auto Repair Shop!

With the price of fuel continuing on a sliding scale up and down, most vehicle owners have learned the importance of fuel economy. Many consumers have downsized into smaller and more fuel-efficient cars. It seems they would rather trade their older vehicles in for a new car rather than take their old one into an auto repair shop for needed maintenance and auto repair work.

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However, the cost of a new vehicle is also soaring. Thus, it is important that vehicle owners understand that regular scheduled preventative maintenance at a qualified auto repair shop could be one of the wisest decisions they make. It is like making a long-term investment in your vehicle—minimizing the chances of more costly auto repair work.

A few years ago, Kelton Research published a study showing that nine-in-ten American car owners believe they do everything they should to properly maintain their vehicle. However, the study went on to show that only 41 percent of these owners actually follow the manufacturer's service recommendations for their vehicles. Only 28 percent of these owners service their vehicles at dealerships, and just 23 percent make sure to use only authentic manufacturer parts. The study further reports that less than one in four (23 percent) of vehicle owners work with a qualified mechanic to develop a maintenance plan for their cars.

From the statistics above, it is easy to deduct that there are a lot of vehicles on the road that are greatly in need of some type of auto repair.

Visiting an auto repair shop for needed regular scheduled maintenance isn't a very popular activity. However, it is a proven fact that it is much less expensive to maintain regular vehicle maintenance than to purchase a new vehicle--especially if it necessary to finance the purchase price.

Need a quality auto repair to keep your vehicle running safely down the road? Contact our ASE Certified Technicians at Price's Precision auto repair shop today by calling (406) 248-2838, or go on-line to www.pricesprecisionauto.com for more information. Our Tech-Net professional auto shop in Billings, MT, also services vehicle owners in the areas of Shepherd and Laurel, MT.

Saturday, 15 February 2014

Costs Included In A Car Tune Up

When it comes time for a car tune up service, it is possible to get an estimate from your auto mechanic? It can be a little tricky because the definition of "tune up" can vary from shop to shop. If you are getting quotes for a car tune up for several different auto shop, make sure you are comparing apples to apples.

Be sure to ask these questions and be sure you are comfortable with the answers:


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#1 – What parts are included in the "tune up package?"

The quote from an auto shop that includes the price of a fuel filter, spark plugs, air filter, PCV filter, and distributor ignition rotor will be considerably higher than another shop that may only replace spark plugs as their "tune up" service.

#2 – Is labor included in the quote?

Does the quote only include parts and supplies, or is labor included in the estimate? A local independent shop could be using one guide to estimate labor and parts, and a dealer using brand-name parts will be using a different guide. A dealer versus an independent auto shop may also classify a car tune up differently, or recommend different replacement schedules for specific parts.

#3 – Does your car really need a tune up?

A car that runs poorly doesn't necessarily need a tune up to fix the problem. For example, new cars are full of computers and sensors that can cause it to act strangely. Before doling out the money for what could be an unnecessary tune up, ask your mechanic to run a diagnostic test to determine a potential problem before handing over the money for what could be an unnecessary tune up. Make certain that your vehicle actually needs a tune up.

It is tune up time? Contact our ASE Certified Technicians at Price's Precision auto shop today by calling (406) 248-2838, or go on-line to www.pricesprecisionauto.com for more information. Our Tech-Net professional auto repair shop in Billings, MT, also serves vehicle owners in the areas of Shepherd, MT and Laurel, MT.

Monday, 3 February 2014

Don’t Forget About Oil Changes for the New Year!

For many people, the New Year continues to present its challenges as the economy continues to fight stubborn financial problems. Because budgets are tight, you may need to hold onto your older car a little longer than you expected. Don't overlook the small responsibilities as a vehicle owner that will keep you safely on the road, including regular oil change intervals. Regular oil changes can save you some serious repair dollars down the road.

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Here are a few items to consider when it comes to good car care that will help keep your car in top running performance throughout 2014.

   1. Keep up with fluid and filter changes, including oil changes. Checking on your vehicle's fluids and filters are important to the longevity of your car and interior comfort. Circle a day on your calendar each month to check all of your fluids and make sure they are at the correct levels. Remember to schedule an oil change, or any other fluid change as recommended by your vehicle's manual. While some fluids, like brake fluid, clutch fluid and coolant may not require attention as often as oil changes or transmission flushes, they're just as important. If you're confused about the appropriate interval for oil changes, transmission flush, etc., don't hesitate to ask your professional auto mechanic.

   2. Schedule two car checkups during the year. A well-trained mechanic can spot potential problems before they happen. Taking the time to schedule a check up with a good mechanic twice a year may seem obsessive, but preventative maintenance is cheap insurance for a reliable vehicle. Also, keep all your service records; including oil changes. Often, documentation of service history is a major buying incentive for a potential buyer.

   3. Take care of small problems early. Unfortunately, there aren't any cars that can fix themselves. Putting off minor maintenance or easy repair work can result in larger problems and costly repair bills overall. Don't procrastinate; repair what's wrong; have the appropriate services at the correct intervals, including oil changes, and your car will last a lot longer.

Need affordable oil changes? Contact our ASE Certified Technicians at Price's Precision auto repair shop today by calling (406) 248-2838, or go on-line to www.pricesprecisionauto.com for more information. Our Tech-Net professional auto repair shop in Billings, MT, also services vehicle owners in the areas of Shepherd and Laurel, MT.