Posted on 1/30/2023

Did you know that the color of a vehicle's exhaust smoke can help to diagnose common issues? Vehicles do not usually produce visible smoke, so if it is emitting from your exhaust pipe it's time for vehicle maintenance. Here is a brief look at what different colors of smoke exhaust mean - White Smoke If you see opaque white smoke emitting from your tailpipe while driving, you should immediately pull to the side of the road, stop the vehicle and have it towed to the garage. This indicates damage to the head gasket, cylinder head, or engine block, which can affect the safe operation of the vehicle. Blue or Grey Smoke An exhaust pipe that blows blue or grey smoke is leaking oil somewhere in your engine. Although oil is crucial to smooth engine operation, it should not be spilling into the combustion or leak onto the ground. The problem could be wear and tear on the engine or even a hole, or it could indicate a need to replace piston rings or valves. Car engine oil eats quickly ... read more
Posted on 12/30/2022
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You know your engine is overheating if steam comes from the bonnet, the engine temperature gauge lights up, and the car gets a strange smell. In this situation, you have a few minutes to react and prevent your engine from getting irreparable damage that could cost you thousands of dollars. Being prepared whenever your engine overheats is the best way to avoid damaging the engine when it overheats. Here are a few things you should do when your engine overheats. 1. Pull Over It is impossible to drive with a plume of steam covering the windscreen, making it impossible to see the road ahead. The best cause of action is to pull over in a safe spot and cut off the engine. If your bonnet is not producing steam, but the engine light is on, it is still advisable to pull over. Do not pop the hood immediately because it will undoubtedly be hot and cause burns. 2. Add Coolant If, after 15 minutes, the engine light is still on, try adding a coolant to the radiator to speed up the cooling proce ... read more
Posted on 11/23/2022

Whether you are planning to travel to see family over the holidays or go to a cabin for a winter getaway, your car should be in good shape to handle all hazardous conditions. Planning a road trip can be challenging and stressful, which is why we want to take a load off your hands. The team at Transmission Hero will gladly inspect your vehicle to ensure it is roadworthy for long drives. A vehicle inspection is one of the best pre-trip measures that can help prevent unwanted breakdowns. Even if we don’t find anything wrong, you’ll have peace of mind knowing that. During a pre-trip check, our techs will carefully inspect all major safety components and systems to ensure they are in working condition. This includes the braking system, car battery, tires, lights, wipers, and fluids. We recommend having this service performed at least a week before a major trip to allow for extra time for repairs. Either way, the team at Transmission Hero in Clay County always fixes problems q ... read more
Posted on 10/28/2022

You might have noticed that your wheels are underperforming or wearing out a lot quicker, but you cannot quite state the issue. You might need to get an alignment or balancing done. In case you want to understand the situation better, here is some helpful information. What is wheel alignment? A wheel alignment is a procedure that alters the inclinations of the tires on your car so that they all cooperate in straightaways and turns. Your wheels may go a bit out of sync with one another during routine driving and even more so if you run into a few potholes or curbs. Your wheels are effectively scuffing on the ground as you move when one or more of your wheels aren't pointed in the same direction. This can result in accelerated tire wear, tugging to one side or another, an off-center steering wheel, and reduced fuel efficiency. It's a wise idea to have your alignments adjusted twice a year. Signs you need a wheel alignment • Your car pulls or drifts to the left or right ... read more
Posted on 9/29/2022
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The weather in Clay County can be unpredictable, bringing showers and winds at any moment. With Florida’s rainy season coming close to an end, it is important to check on your wiper blades. Are they working effectively at clearing your windscreen? If not, it may be time for a replacement. Signs It’s Time To Replace Your Wiper Blades Industry professionals recommend replacing your windshield wiper blades every 6-12 months. Below are some other symptoms that indicate your windshield wiper blades are no longer effective: Whenever your wiper blades leave streaks on your windshield, it is time to change them. Streaking is a symptom caused by dry, hard, or damaged rubber on the wiper blade itself. If you neglect to change them, it will make do more harm than good by causing blurry views. Another symptom of bad wiper blades is skipping. The skipping occurs from the curvature or distortion within the wiper blade. As a result, it won't cover and clear the entire ... read more