As the winter frost thaws and spring blossoms, it’s time for vehicle owners to pay attention to their trusty batteries. Neglecting spring battery maintenance can lead to frustrating breakdowns and unexpected expenses. In this blog post, we explore common battery issues, how to manage them, and ways to extend battery longevity.
In recent times, vehicle owners have been feeling the pinch as the cost of fuel continues to rise. This increase is not just a minor inconvenience; it’s a significant dent in your income, especially for those who rely heavily on their vehicles for daily commuting or business purposes. However, there are ways to combat this issue by maximizing fuel efficiency. In this month’s blog, we examine ways to lessen the impact of fuel costs by increasing your vehicle’s fuel efficiency.
Do you know what type of automatic transmission is in your vehicle? Most likely if you purchased your vehicle within the last ten to fifteen years, it has a more advanced transmission called the continuous variable transmission, or CVT. The CVT is a form of automatic transmission that does not require driving input to change gears but operates differently from the conventional automatic. In this month’s blog post, we compare it with the traditional automatic transmission, explore how it operates, its benefits, common problems, and preventative maintenance tasks.
CVT vs Automatic Transmission
Unlike traditional automatic transmissions that use sets of fixed gears, a CVT uses a pair of variable-width pulleys connected by a flexible belt. This allows for an infinite number of gear ratios between the maximum and minimum values. This means your car can adjust to the exact power requirement, rather than being limited to a set number of gears.
The operation of a CVT is based on the simple principle of changing the distance between the two pulleys. When the distance is increased, the belt runs deeper in the pulley groove, effectively creating a larger gear ratio. Conversely, when the distance is decreased, the belt runs higher, creating a smaller gear ratio. This allows the CVT to provide smooth, seamless acceleration.
CVTs offer several benefits over traditional automatic transmissions. They provide better fuel efficiency because they can always operate the engine in its most efficient range. CVTs also offer smoother and quicker acceleration because there is no need to shift gears.
Common CVT Problems and Preventative Maintenance
Despite their advantages, CVTs can have some issues. They may not provide the same driving feel as traditional automatics, which can be off-putting to some drivers. CVTs can also be noisier and less durable than their traditional counterparts, especially under heavy load.
To keep your CVT in good working order, regular maintenance is crucial. Here are some tips:
While CVTs may be a bit different from what you may be used to, they offer several benefits that make them worth considering. With proper care and maintenance, a CVT can provide a smooth, efficient driving experience. If you would like to have your CVT inspected for possible issues, contact a service professional at Geller’s Automotive to schedule an appointment.
Winter is here, and with it comes the challenge of withstanding the harsh elements of the season. Cold weather can affect your vehicle’s engine, fluids, tires, and more, leading to reduced performance, increased wear, and potential damage. In this blog post, we explain how winter weather affects your vehicle, what signs to look for when there are problems, and how to combat winter weather damage in your vehicle.
Have you noticed oil stains consistently underneath your vehicle? Are you replenishing your oil on a regular basis? If so, you may be experiencing an oil leak. Oil leaks are a serious matter because they can cause damage to your vehicle’s engine. In this month’s blog post, we review common causes for an oil leak and what is required to address these issues.
As a vehicle owner, maintaining your car’s tires is crucial for driving performance and your safety. This is especially important as the fall weather changes with wet road surfaces, slippery leaves, and less daylight hours. Ongoing maintenance of tires includes some tasks that you can handle on your own, while others need to be serviced by a professional. In this month’s blog post, we review tire maintenance basics so that you can extend the life of your tires and operate your vehicle safely this fall season.
Your vehicle’s electrical system is often overlooked until a critical vehicle component or function fails. The electrical system is vital to your vehicle’s operation, and vehicle owners should be familiar with the more common problems that may result from electrical system issues. In this month’s blog post, we examine the electrical system and a few of the common problems you may experience.
Engine oil is indispensable for the efficient functioning of your vehicle’s engine and so is the transmission fluid for the effective operation of your vehicle’s transmission. When the transmission fluid level decreases due to various factors, it can jeopardize your transmission. A jeopardized transmission can result in a total transmission breakdown, which can be a costly issue for vehicle owners. In this blog post, we explore the typical indicators of low transmission fluid to help you avert a complete failure of your vehicle’s transmission.
If you drive a lot, it is helpful to know what the most common engine issues are that you may encounter on the road. Being prepared is one of your best defenses when faced with engine problems. In this month’s blog post, we review seven common engine problems that could cause you to be stranded or could even grow into bigger and costlier issues.
Most vehicle owners typically stay on top of the major ticket items when it comes to their vehicle maintenance. But there are many other common vehicle items that vehicle owners may neglect. Neglect of these routine items can lead to bigger and costlier issues if overlooked for too long. In this month’s blog post, we review ten items that should not be neglected.
