Why Charlotte Driver's Should Change Their Transmission Fluid

It’s easy for Charlotte car owners to forget about servicing their transmission because it doesn’t need it very often, but proper transmission service keeps your sedan running smoothly and helps you avoid costly repairs down the road.

The transmission undergoes a lot of stress. The grit you see in used fluid is actually bits of clutch material. This grit flowing through your transmission under pressure eats away at seals and gaskets which can lead to leaks.

The transmission operates at very high temperatures – about a hundred degrees higher than engine temperatures. Those high temperatures eventually cause the transmission fluid to start to break down and lose efficiency. At best, your sedan transmission won’t operate smoothly. At worse, it could lead to costly damage.

When your transmission’s running properly, it transfers more power from your sedan engine to the drive wheels, and improves fuel economy. That’s why vehicle manufacturers recommend you change transmission fluid at regular intervals. Your sedan owner’s manual has a schedule for transmission service and, of course, your Super Service Agents Carolina Tire & Auto service advisor can tell you what the manufacturer recommends.

Your Charlotte service center may be able to perform a transmission service while you wait and the cost is quite reasonable. Actually, it’s downright cheap when you think about how much a major transmission repair can cost!

Give us a call

Carolina Tire & Auto
980-219-8500
3325 Monroe Rd
Charlotte, NC 28205

At Carolina Tire & Auto in Charlotte NC (28205) we install quality NAPA replacement parts. Give us a call at 980-219-8500. To learn more about NAPA AutoCare, visit www.carolina-tire.com.

Spark Plug Replacement

Replacing the spark plugs is part of the regular maintenance schedule for any gasoline-powered vehicle. There are one or more spark plugs per cylinder. Replacing them can be labor intensive on some late model vehicles.

How to Replace the Spark Plugs

1. Allow the engine to cool off and remove any plastic engine cover(s)
2. On a transverse mounted V6 engine, you may have to remove the upper intake manifold
3. Remove each ignition wire or individual ignition coil to gain access to each spark plug
4. Using a spark plug socket, loosen each spark plug by rotating it counterclockwise
5. When the spark plug is completely free of its threads, lift it out of its spark plug hole
6. Treat the threads on the new factory specified spark plug with anti-seize thread compound
7. Using the spark plug socket, carefully insert each spark plug into each hole
   
8. Carefully install each spark plug by hand until they are tight
9. Torque each spark plug to the manufacturer's specifications
10. Reinstall each wire and/or coil and re-assemble the engine
11. Start the vehicle and let it idle to verify that the new spark plugs are working correctly

About this Repair: Spark Plug Replacement

Best Practices

• To prevent ignition misfires and Check Engine Light problems, we recommend using only high-quality spark plugs, and preferably spark plugs from the OEM.

• Spark plugs have different ratings and it's important that the correct type are used.

• Spark plug terminals wear down over time and can lead to engine misfires. At minimum, they need to be replaced at the mileage specified by the vehicle manufacturer.

Common Symptoms

• Failing spark plugs can cause the engine to run rough and misfire, which can trigger the Check Engine Light. Continuing to drive under these conditions can damage the catalytic converter.

Scheduled Maintenance

Scheduled Maintenance

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Scheduled maintenance, or preventative maintenance, is the regular schedule of services that vehicle manufacturers prescribe to keep a car running well and safely. Maintenance schedules vary by vehicle, driving style, and driving conditions.

Are You a “Normal” or “Severe” Driver?

When it comes to maintenance advice, consumers are confronted with numerous recommendations and opinions. When the owners manual recommends one type of service, a quick lube franchise recommends a second, and the dealership advises a third, it’s no wonder consumers are afraid they’ll be ripped off by paying for a service they don’t really need. Sometimes it’s impossible to know who’s telling the truth and who isn’t.

The truth is in the owners manual. Manufacturers define maintenance schedules for your car, not dealerships—and certainly not quick lube franchises. Most manufacturers divide maintenance schedules into “normal” and “severe” driving conditions.

You might think the conditions you put your car under aren’t considered severe, but if you frequently do any of the following, then your car maintenance should indeed follow the "severe" driving conditions schedule:

• Take short trips of less than ten miles
• Drive in heavy traffic with many stops and starts
• Drive at high rates of speed
• Tow heavy loads or drive off-road
• Drive in dusty conditions
• Drive in extremely cold or extremely hot climates

Surprised? Many people are.

If the above conditions are severe, then what’s normal?

• Trips of 10 miles or more
• Sustained speeds of 50 to 75 miles an hour
• Driving in low-traffic situations with few stops and starts
  
• Ambient temperatures above freezing and below 95° F
  

In order to make the most informed decisions about your car’s maintenance schedule, determine what your expectations and priorities are. A mother with small children may make decisions based on safety. A person commuting to work may be concerned about fuel economy. A student might make maintenance decisions based on cash flow—or lack thereof. Each of us has different priorities and circumstances.

As sensible car owners, we all must assume responsibility for doing the basics. Periodically checking tire pressure, engine oil, and coolant levels can dramatically increase the life of your car and potentially save you thousands of dollars in repairs down the road. And not only does a well-maintained car last longer and save money in the long run, it’s also much safer for both you and your passengers.