Catching the early signs of transmission failure can save you from costly repairs and prevent more extensive damage to your vehicle. But what are the warning signs you should watch for, and how can you tell when it's time to schedule a transmission repair at your local Honda dealer? more You've Noticed Changes in the Way Your Vehicle Handles The transmission, which serves as your vehicle's gearbox, controls how much power is directed from the engine to the wheels. When the transmission is in distress, you'll likely notice changes in how your vehicle is performing. Rough idling, poor acceleration, and delays in gear shifting are all signs that your transmission may be due for service. Grinding or shaking that occurs when your vehicle is changing gears is also a sign that you may have transmission trouble. Your Transmission Is Leaking A transmission that is leaking fluid needs service as quickly as possible, but sometimes it can be hard to tell which part of the vehicle is leaking. The next time you park your vehicle in the driveway or garage, try placing a large piece of cardboard beneath it. If the leaking fluid is bright red, dark red, or brown, it's likely transmission fluid. Your Transmission Is Slipping Transmission slipping occurs when your transmission slides out of gear even when you aren't intentionally changing gears. It happens most often right after you've changed gears, and in many cases, the transmission slips into neutral. Transmission slipping tends to happen when you are either climbing or descending hills. If your gears are consistently slipping, that's a sure sign that your transmission is due for service. Your Transmission Emits an Odor A sweet, burning smell could be a sign that your transmission is overheating. It may also indicate that your transmission fluid, which needs to be changed periodically, is old. We can flush your transmission and replace the old fluid with clean, new fluid. Strange new noises coming from beneath your hood, particularly those that are whining or humming in nature, should also be inspected. Your Check-Engine Light Is On A faulty transmission will trigger the check engine light or transmission warning light on your dashboard. Whenever these lights come on it's a sign that something is off with your vehicle Schedule a service appointment when you see this light so that we can diagnose the problem and repair it. The transmission is one of the most complicated pieces of equipment in your vehicle, so it's important to take action if you notice signs that it may be failing. If you think your transmission needs repair, schedule a service appointment at Burns Honda.
Regular maintenance is the easiest and most affordable way to keep your Honda in great shape. Our trained technicians can identify and fix minor issues before they have the chance to develop into problems. This saves you money by preventing future repairs. As your Honda dealer, we'd like you to know a few examples of the Honda maintenance we provide. more Oil Change Oil is pumped through the engine, cooling hot components as it moves. Many engine components depend on friction to work effectively, and the oil coats them in a friction-resistant covering that protects against damage. In addition, oil additives prevent engine rust, break down harmful engine deposits, and keep the engine clean. Oil becomes less effective as it ages. It slows down due to the absorption of dirt and other debris and provides less protection for components, increasing engine wear and tear. We'll drain your old oil then remove and replace the oil filter so the oil can flow freely. We then reseal the sump and refill your oil. Coolant Leak Repair Your engine operates most effectively at a temperature ranging from 185 F to 230 F, but excessive heat accumulation is dangerous for your engine. The coolant absorbs heat, locking it away and transporting it to the radiator, where it's removed by heat exchange. A coolant leak drops the pressure in the cooling system, causing it to slow down, and your engine temperature will rise. If your engine gets too hot, it will damage the cylinders, pistons, seals, and numerous other components. Coolant is available in bright colors like pink, yellow, green, and blue, so a leak is easy to spot. Contact us ASAP if you spot a leak, and we'll repair it. Brake Servicing Brakes are your most important safety system, as they allow you to control your speed at any time. The braking system uses pressure and friction to work effectively, which generates heat. In time, components will wear out due to these conditions or age, and your brakes will work less effectively. Our technicians examine and test all braking system components to ensure they're in good condition. The brake fluid is drained and replaced, as new fluid is more efficient at providing the hydraulic power the braking system requires. The system is tested under normal driving conditions to ensure it's working perfectly. Book your maintenance today by contacting us at Burns Honda in Orangeburg, SC.
Engine diagnostics are one of the most important tools available to automotive technicians. They allow problems to be quickly detected and repaired, saving you time and money. As your Honda dealer, we want to tell you more about how they work and some issues they can identify. more Sensors and Computers Every important component in a modern vehicle has a sensor connected to it, and these sensors receive instructions from the computer and relay information to it that will be used to make decisions. The sensors monitor their connected component for signs of trouble. They're sensitive and will immediately inform the computer of minute changes that affect performance. If the computer can't correct the issue, it logs the situation with an error code and activates the check engine light. OBD-II Scanner A lit check engine light tells you something's wrong, not necessarily what it is. Before computers, mechanics could spend hours checking systems and components that could be the cause of the problem. This meant longer repair times and increased costs. Now, our technicians can trace the affected system in minutes. We connect an OBD-II scanner to your computer. The scanner reads the error codes logged by the computer, and we compare this to the master list of codes for your Honda model to diagnose the issue. Problems Diagnostics Can Identify Damaged Oxygen Sensor Air is vital for combustion, as fuel can't burn in the cylinders without it. Efficient combustion requires a 14:1 ratio of air to fuel, and the oxygen sensors inform the computer of the current amount of available air so it can make any necessary adjustments. A failed sensor means the computer must guess how much air is in the engine. If It guesses wrong, your engine could become fuel-rich and burn more fuel or fuel-lean and stall or misfire. Once we find the damaged sensor and replace it, it'll help performance return to normal. Blocked Catalytic Converter The catalytic converter is part of the exhaust system, and it converts dangerous gases produced as byproducts of combustion into harmless chemicals. Once the conversion is complete, the new gases exit your vehicle via the tailpipe. The converter uses high pressure, intense heat, and chemical reactions to convert the engine gases. Carbon is a byproduct of conversion. It builds up in the converter and will eventually block it. A blocked converter forces gases back into the engine. Their presence increases the engine's internal pressure and can cause it to shut down. If this problem is identified, we'll clear the blockage, and the converter will work effectively again. If you have an illuminated check engine light, contact us today at Burns Honda in Orangeburg, SC.
