CHECKING AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FLUID

The first thing you need to do is make sure the car is warmed up to operating temperature. Next put the car on a level surface and leave it idling in park. The checking your transmission fluid video below walks you through this process also. Now you need to locate the dipstick. Your transmission may or may not have one. If your car does not, I recommend bringing the car to an auto repair shop to have the fluid checked. Before pulling the dipstick out make sure you wipe off the dirt around the cover of the handle. This is to stop any dirt from falling down the tube and into the transmission fluid. Also keep in mind you are leaning over a running engine. Be careful and stay clear of any moving parts. Now you can remove the dipstick and wipe it clean. Next put it back so that it's fully seated in the tube and then remove it again to check the reading. Some dipsticks have a full and an add line and the reading should be in between the two. You can also check the condition of the fluid at this time. If it's a brownish color (see picture of old and new transmission fluid above) and smells burnt you should have it flushed (CLICK HERE FOR BG TRANSMISSION FLUSH VIDEO (all of the BG Fluid flush videos are located here)). If you find that the fluid is low only add a half quart at a time until you get a full reading. Too much fluid is not good for the car and removing it is not as easy as adding it. Keep in mind if your fluid is low it is escaping somewhere. The obvious thing to do is look at the transmission itself for any external leaks. If it looks dry and you have to continue to add fluid then it maybe an internal leak. The first thing to check is the coolant. Most transmission coolers are integrated into the radiator and a leak would have the fluids mixing together. If the coolant looks milky and has a pinkish color this may be your problem. This can be a costly repair that you should not attempt to do yourself. I recommend bringing the car to an auto repair shop to have a professional mechanic diagnose this.

CHECKING YOUR TRANSMISSION FLUID VIDEO

How Do I Know When It's Time To Change My Brakes?

Is it time for brakes? If you're not sure then ask yourself a few simple questions. Has it been a long time since I last had them checked out? Do I drive my car a lot? Am I an aggressive driver? Do I slam on my brakes often? Do I hear any strange squeaking noises when I use my brakes? If the answer to any of these questions is yes then I recommend to have them looked at as soon as possible by a professional mechanic.

How long should my brakes last? Most people asking this question expect an answer that tells them how many miles they can drive before it's time to change them. Unfortunately it's not that simple. Brakes are a big safety issue and if they don't feel right or they are noisy don't put off having a mechanic check them out because you think you didn't get a certain amount of miles out of them. Consider these questions when making a decision on having your brakes checked or replaced.

• How much do I use my car? Is it my daily driver? If yes, how far do I drive everyday? How far do I drive to and from work? Is it a hobby car? Do I only drive it on weekends?
• Did I add any performance enhancing parts to my car? If you did it's a smart idea to make sure that the brakes are all at an equal caliber. When adding these parts it's a good idea to replace the brakes to complement the increased power.
• When was the last time I had my brake pads and rotors replaced? How about the brake fluid? When was the last time I had the brake lines checked? Brake fluid and brake lines are part of the brake system and should also be checked.

A lot of different things factor into the wearing of your brakes. If you are just not sure if it's time to replace them then bring it to an auto repair shop to have a professional mechanic look at them.

Eurasian Service Center
8501-2B Tyco Road
Vienna, VA 22182
703-893-3045
www.eurasianservicecenter.com

WINTER WEATHER CAR TIPS FROM EURASIAN SERVICE CENTER

EURASIAN SERVICE CENTER says winter weather is right around the corner and it's time to make sure your car is ready. Around this time of year we always recommend having your car checked over in order to significantly reduce the chances of being stranded on the side of the road or stuck at home because your car will not start. Here are a few things you should have looked at by a professional mechanic.

1. Battery - The colder the weather the harder your battery has to work to start the car. Have your battery and charging system checked by a mechanic before the winter arrives. The average life of a battery is between 3-5 years. It should also be cleaned periodically because corrosion often builds up on the battery posts and cable connectors.

2. Fluids - The antifreeze should be flushed out every 2 years or 30,000 miles on most cars. This is about how long it takes for the chemicals in it to break down causing leaks and overheating. You should also have the brake fluid, oil and windshield washer fluid checked.

3. Tires - Worn tires can be dangerous and doing your own visual inspection isn't always the best idea. Have a mechanic put the car up on a lift. This way they can also check for inner tire wear and they will be able to get a good look at the round of the tire as well. With the car sitting on the ground these areas are harder to see. Also make sure they look at the spare tire and check the tire pressure in all five tires.

4. Belts and Hoses - These items should be inspected every time your car is in the shop, but it is especially important to have them checked just before winter. As they get older rubber parts become frail and the winter weather will cause them to fail a lot faster. Once again I do not advise doing your own visual inspection because often hoses wear on the inside and do not show any signs on the outside.

5. Wiper Blades - Replace your wiper blades if they are cracked or torn. This item does get checked at your annual VA State Inspection, but don't assume they are fine now. A hot summer or a rainy fall can leave them worn faster then you think. Most importantly you do not want to be driving in bad winter weather with poor wiper blades.

6. Check All Lights - Not all cars will alert you on the dashboard when a bulb has gone out. Have a mechanic check them all when the car is in the shop. They will check the lights that you can't see like your brake and reverse lights. They will even check the easy ones to forget about like your fog lights.

Visit www.eurasianservicecenter.com for more info and the location of a shop that will do a winter weather check for you.