1. Check the level, color and smell of your transmission fluid regularly. Follow the instructions in your owner’s manual to check the fluid level. In most cases, you’ll check the fluid level with the engine running (and at operating temperature) and the transmission in “park.” If the fluid level is low, add fluid. It’s important to note that you should use ONLY the type of fluid recommended by your vehicle manufacturer. With respect to the color and smell of the transmission fluid it should be red (not black or brown) and not smell like its burnt.
2. Have the transmission fluid and filter replaced on a regular schedule. Transmission fluid and filter changes should be done at least every 25,000 to 30,000 miles. If you are using your vehicle for towing or carrying a heavy load, you’ll want to change the fluid and filter more often. Remember, it’s important to use the proper type of transmission fluid – one that’s meant specifically for your vehicle. If you have an older vehicle or one with high mileage and you’ve never changed the fluid or filter, ask us before having this service performed. Sometimes a fluid/filter change can cause problems with older transmissions that haven’t been maintained.
3. Don’t overfill your transmission. Follow the instructions in your owner’s manual very carefully when checking the level and adding transmission fluid. If you overfill the transmission, the fluid may foam leading to erratic gear shifting and possible damage.
4. Don’t tow in overdrive. If your vehicle has an automatic overdrive transmission, you have to make sure you turn off the overdrive when towing. Not doing so may cause excessive shifting between overdrive and the next lower gear. Locking out the overdrive will eliminate unnecessary shifting and can provide steadier performance.
5. Don’t overload your vehicle when towing. All that extra weight from towing makes the transmission work hard. If you tow too much weight, the transmission can overheat resulting in serious damage.
6. Avoid “rocking” between gears if your vehicle gets stuck in sand, snow or mud. Quickly shifting back and forth between gears causes excessive heat and can burn out a transmission. If your vehicle is stuck, either dig it or or have it towed.
7. Use your emergency brake, especially when you park on a hill. Doing so reduces stress on the parking pawl (pin).
8. If you are having any problems with your transmission, have it looked at by a professional right away. By taking care of small problems as soon as you notice them, you’ll be able to avoid a major transmission repair issue down the road.

photo credit: Automatic Gear Shift, Hyundai Elantra via photopin (license)

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1. Change Your Engine Oil and Filter on a Regular Basis: The oil is the lifeblood of your engine. And at $20-$40 for a conventional oil change (or about $60-$80 for a synthetic oil change), it’s the least expensive service you can do to keep your engine running well. In fact, if you make a commitment to regular oil changes, your car engine will run for many years to come.
2. Rotate Tires and Align Wheels: Inspecting the wheel alignment at least once a year and rotating your tires regularly (it makes sense to have this done with every oil change) helps the tires wear evenly. You’ll get the most amount of mileage out of your tires and you’ll save on gasoline. If you can get more miles out of your tires, think of the money you’ll save over the lifetime of your vehicle on purchasing new tires.
3. Flush and Replace Vital Fluids: Don’t neglect the other vital fluids in your vehicle like coolant, transmission fluid, brake fluid, and power steering fluid. All these fluids are designed to lubricate and keep these components operating smoothly. Refer to your owner’s manual for the recommended schedule on replacing all these fluids.
4. Replace Your Timing Belt: This is considered a major maintenance service, but one that’s well worth the investment. Yes, timing belt replacement can be expensive (find out more about timing belts here), but it’s a lot less expensive than having to replace your car’s engine because the belt breaks.

When it comes to preventive car maintenance, the technicians at Geller’s Automotive will give you a heads-up about any upcoming maintenance or repair needs. We conduct a courtesy inspection each time you bring your vehicle in for service. Click here to make an appointment for your next maintenance service.

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Timing belts wear out naturally. Because serious engine damage can occur if it fails, you definitely want to replace the timing belt before it slips or breaks. The schedule for replacing a timing belt depends on the make of your vehicle. Recommended replacement intervals vary from 60,000 to 100,000 miles. You can find this information in your owner’s manual. The technicians at Geller’s Automotive in Byram, NJ, are also happy to answer any questions about why replacing the timing belt is important.

Why does it cost so much to replace a timing belt?

A timing belt isn’t easily accessible on most car engines. As such, it becomes a fairly labor intensive job when the timing belt needs to be replaced. When it comes time to replace your timing belt, you may find it’s a good idea to replace other parts that are also difficult to access, like the tensioner, idler arm, and water pump. This is all part of what we refer to as “preventive maintenance.” The goal of preventive maintenance is to take care of a specific part or component before it fails. The cost for replacing a timing belt is much more cost-effective than having to replace an entire engine that fails because the timing belt breaks. 

Can’t you just inspect the belt to see if it needs to be replaced?

No, most timing belts are hidden behind dust covers and other engine components that prevent us from being able to see their condition.

What happens if the timing belt breaks?

The amount of damage your car’s engine will sustain when a timing belt breaks depends on the type of engine – interference or non-interference.

If your vehicle has an interference engine, the timing belt is responsible for keeping the valves and pistons from smashing into each other. If the timing belt snaps, you’ll end up with bent valves, cylinder head or camshaft damage, and possibly damage to the piston and cylinder wall.

In a non-interference engine, the pistons and valves won’t smash together if the timing belt breaks so no valve or cylinder damage occurs.

Is a timing chain the same as a timing belt?

Instead of a timing belt, some cars have a timing chain. A timing chain is a maintenance-free unit and rarely needs to be replaced. If you don’t know whether your vehicle has a timing belt or chain, check your owner’s manual or ask one of our technicians when you bring your vehicle in for routine maintenance.

Have additional questions about replacing the timing belt? Ask us. When it comes time to have your timing belt replaced, call the automotive repair professionals at Geller’s Automotive in Byram, New Jersey. Click here to make an appointment for replacing the timing belt now.

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What are the Main Components of Your Exhaust System?

Your vehicle’s exhaust system is made up of 5 main parts, each one working together to make sure you’re safe and your car is operating properly.  Here they are:

1. Exhaust Manifold – The exhaust manifold is connected to the engine at the cylinder head.  As gases are produced during combustion, the exhaust manifold collects those gases and delivers them to the exhaust pipe.
2. Oxygen Sensor – For your vehicle to operate efficiently, the onboard computer is continually taking measurements from different sensors.  The oxygen sensor lets the computer know how much oxygen is in the exhaust so the computer can adjust the ratio of fuel to air.
3. Exhaust Pipes – These are the pipes that start at the front of the engine and carry the gases through the entire exhaust system.
4. Catalytic Converter – This part “converts” the carbon monoxide and other harmful gases produced during combustion into water vapor and gases that are less harmful.
5. Muffler – Every time the spark plugs ignite the air/fuel mixture, an explosion occurs.  The muffler’s job is to “silence” the loud noises generated during the combustion process.

The “Check Engine Light” and Your Vehicle’s Exhaust System

In a previous blog post, I talked about how the Check Engine and Service Engine Soon lights are there to alert you to minor problems before they became major repair issues (click here to see the blog post “What should you do when the Check Engine light comes on?”).  These dashboard lights will come on when there is a problem with the emissions in your vehicle.  Your exhaust system is a major part of the emissions control system.  If this light turns on, you should have the problem diagnosed and fixed right away.  Delaying repairs can lead to additional strain on the engine and its components, which can cause some parts, like the catalytic converter, to fail

How Do I Know if I Need Exhaust System Repair?

Here are several ways you will know if you need an exhaust system repair:

• You Smell Exhaust Fumes – If you’re smelling the fumes from your own vehicle while you’re driving, there’s a problem with a leak in the exhaust system that needs to be repaired right away.  
• Loud Rumbling, Hissing or Popping Noises – One day your car is riding fairly quietly and the next you begin to hear loud rumbling, hissing or popping noises coming from the underside of your vehicle. Most likely you need to have the muffler replaced.
• Your Vehicle is Burning More Fuel – This could mean the oxygen sensor needs to be replaced.

How Can I Maintain the Exhaust System?

The biggest enemy to your vehicle’s exhaust system is road salt.  These salts will cause metal parts on your vehicle to rust and corrode.  Inspect the exhaust system on a regular basis and take care of minor issues before they end up being a more costly exhaust system repair.  It’s also a good idea to wash the underbody of your vehicle every few weeks during the winter months.

The certified technicians at Geller’s Automotive in Byram, New Jersey, can also help you maintain the exhaust system on your vehicle. When you bring your car, van or truck in for periodic service, we complete a 27-point courtesy inspection.  If we see a problem with the exhaust system, we’ll let you know so you can take care of it. Call us at 973-347-1700 to make an appointment or click here to schedule on-line now.

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