Tag: Greenwood Auto Body

Transmissions! Aren’t they a nightmare?

For many people facing potential automotive damage, the phrase “I hope it’s not the transmission” is a common one. Indeed, this is a complex and delicate system that can lead to crippling and expensive repairs, so your Seattle auto body shop advises that you take the time to care for your transmission.

The number one thing to do for your transmission is check its ATF (automatic transmission fluid) levels. You can do this via a dipstick that should be located towards the rear of your engine, probably labeled as “transmission”. Check that the fluid levels are correct, and that the fluid has a good, cherry-red coloration. A bad color means that your fluid is dirty, and should be replaced.

When adding new ATF to your transmission, remember that not just any fluid will do. There are several kinds of ATF, and you will need to check your owner’s manual to be sure that you get the correct one. DO NOT USE ENGINE OIL IN YOUR TRANSMISSION.

If you can manage to change your ATF twice a year, you’re in good shape to keep up the performance of your transmission for a good, long time. Don’t be afraid to stop by our auto body shop in Seattle for some assistance and advice.

Suppose your car is in perfect condition, but you develop a little crack in a windshield wiper.  You probably wouldn’t want to take such a small problem to your Seattle body shop, would you?

Fortunately, replacing the wiper by yourself is a surprisingly easy task for even the least gear-headed drivers among us.  Just take a look at your wipers; though different makes have different mechanisms, it should be fairly simple to determine how to remove the wiper from the arm that holds it against your windshield.  Simply pull this arm away from the windshield, detach the old wiper, and replace it with a new one.

The important trick to remember is that you’ll need to be sure to buy the right kind of wiper for your car.  Stores sometimes will have a machine or booklet that lets you know which wipers you need for your car depending on the year, model, maker, etc. Wipers come in different sizes, so you’ll want to identify your wiper’s size or even bring it with you to the store.  Also, the wipers on a single car are often different sizes, so don’t make the mistake of getting a matching pair. If you have trouble, you can always bring it to our Seattle body shop for a little assistance.

For many drivers, the “check engine” light is a frustrating sign.  Not only does this indicate that there may be some horrible damage in your car, but it’s also not being very helpful in determining what this damage is.  It could be a matter for your Seattle body shop, or it could be a minor problem that you can fix yourself.  To help you know the difference, try following these simple steps:

• When your light first comes on, the first thing you should check is your gas cap.  If it’s not screwed in tightly enough, it will set off your light.

• If it’s not the gas cap, listen for any unusual sounds or behavior in your engine.  Something like this is probably a problem you should have looked at right away.

• If there doesn’t seem to be anything unusual going on in the engine, watch the light to see what happens.  It might go away on its own, but if it sticks around for about a week or so, you should bring it in.