Do you need a transmission fluid change?

Do you need a transmission fluid change?

A car is a huge responsibility – you have to be on top of your car maintenance routine. Everyone knows the basic car maintenance checklist – oil changes, brake service, tire rotations – but people seem to forget that’s also vital for the basic functioning of your car: transmission fluid. Toyota of Orlando’s auto service experts are Making it Simple ™ by giving you a guide to your transmission fluid changes.

What is transmission fluid?

If you don’t know or remember what transmission fluid does for your car – we’re here with the 4-1-1. It depends if you drive a manual or automatic car.

• If you drive a manual car, transmission fluid lubricates bearings and metal parts inside the gearbox. This helps prevent them from grinding down while they move, and the fluid absorbs excess heat.

• If you drive an automatic car, transmission fluid lubricates the moving parts associated with shifting gears and provides hydraulic pressure and friction to keep those parts working. Transmission fluid also helps absorb excess heat and keep your transmission cool.

Now that you know what transmission fluid does, let’s talk about why it’s important to change it.

Why is a transmission fluid change important?

You may think that transmission fluid is something you can skip when it comes to routine maintenance – but it’s not. If you don’t routinely change your transmission fluid – then heat can become a big issue as it can wear out parts, break things, and shorten your car’s lifespan. Without a transmission fluid change, your transmission will start to experience a multitude of problems as parts overheat and wear out. And these problems can lead to even more problems, which in turn leads to expensive repairs or an all-new transmission (which can cost an arm and a leg…). 

Also, if you do a lot of stop-and-go driving (regular driving in heavy traffic where your car has to repeatedly shift gears) or if you tow and haul heavy loads routinely – you definitely need to be on top of your transmission fluid changes. 

When to schedule a transmission fluid change

Finally considering scheduling this car care appointment at Toyota of Orlando’s service center? We’re going to tell you when you should get it.

• Once you hit the 30,000-mile mark, you should consistently ask one of our Orlando auto service experts when is it time to get a transmission fluid change. 

• There is a “lifetime fluid” when it comes to transmissions in newer cars. However, our Orlando auto service center recommends checking your transmission fluid routinely. Also, if you want maximum performance, we recommend swapping it out at 100,000 miles.

It’s a good idea to know how to check transmission fluid in between service appointments. Here are some pointers:

• If you have an older car with an automatic transmission – you’re gonna have a transmission dipstick. Your Orlando Toyota will have an owner’s manual that can tell you if your car has one and where to find it. Just check the fluid as you do with your motor oil: Turn your car and let the engine warm up, pull out the dipstick, and examine the color.

• The fluid’s color should be vivid red or pink.

• If it’s dark – it means that it’s bad and needs to be changed.

• It should also be free of debris or metal shavings.

• Foamy fluid means there’s too much fluid in the reservoir and some needs to be taken out.

• If the fluid is too low, then schedule an auto service appointment to have some added or the fluid changed out.

• If you have a newer car, it typically doesn’t have a dipstick – so how do you check transmission fluid in these cars? The simple answer: you can’t! Just drop it off at Toyota of Orlando to let our techs take a look under the hood.

Transmission flushes vs. changes

Does your car need a transmission flush or a transmission change? 

• Transmission changes are misleading because they don’t replace all the transmission fluid with new fluid. In reality, it is only a third or half of the fluid that’ll be swapped out. Some fluid remains in the torque converter and other internal parts of your Orlando Toyota.

• A transmission flush is quite simple and not misleading – it flushes out all of the fluid from eh entire system. But, it’s not always a good thing as it could end up dislodging debris in the system and cause clogs. 

Unsure if your transmission fluid needs a change or a flush? Ask one of the expert techs at Toyota of Orlando!

Schedule your transmission fluid change today at Toyota of Orlando

Need help with your car’s transmission fluid? We’ve got your back. Schedule service online at Toyota of Orlando or call us at (407) 298-0001. We’re located just off I-4 near the Mall at Millenia at 3575 Vineland Road!

A guide to car bumper repair

A guide to car bumper repair

There are so many different repairs for a car bumper – traditional dents, paintless dents, cracks, holes, punctures, and scratches. But, which of them should you DIY and which of them should you take to our Orlando collision center to get it fixed? To make it simple, we’re going to give you the ultimate guide on car bumper repairs.

When should you schedule a car bumper repair?

One of the most commonly damaged places on a vehicle are bumpers – and they’re not the most aesthetically pleasing or safe, so you’re going to want to repair it. If you don’t take care of it soon enough, there can be some serious consequences. Dents are considered serious damage because they can cause structural issues with your bumper, which prevents it from doing its job – which is absorbing energy when you get into an accident or collision to minimize damage to the rest of your car. Scratches are considered aesthetic damages, which can rust over time. Whichever damage you have, it is best to resolve it ASAP.

How much does a car bumper repair cost?

The simple answer: you’re never going to know how much it costs to repair any car part – it depends on make and model of your vehicle, the extent of the damage, material, and more factors. Here’s a simple list when it comes to car bumper repair costs:

• For a traditional dent repair, it may range from $150 and up – it all depends on the factors noted above.

• For a paintless dent repair (PDR), it’s usually cheaper than traditional dent repair and quicker. This repair is when techs use special tools to pull out dents without affecting the paint in that area.

• For cracks, holes, and punctures, they range depending on how deep and large the damage is. This car bumper repair cost is about  $300 or more based on the extent of the damage.

• For scratches, they can run anywhere from $50 and up for repair costs. They aren’t too difficult to fix and the cost will depend on the size and depth of the scratch.

Remember repair does not equal replacement – so car bumper repair cost is going to be cheaper. With a replacement, you’re going to have to pay for the bumper itself, but also the installation and painting. When it’s just a repair, it’s way easier.

Should you try DIY car bumper repair?

Whatever type of accident you get into – even a fender bende -, it is imperative to get your car’s bumper checked. It may seem ‘okay’ on the outside, but there could be issues behind the bumper. Here are some of the issues that may happen:

• First, damaged lights – fog lights, headlights, turn signals, and license plate lights can all be damaged if your bumper gets hit.

• Second, damaged sensors – the bumper often protects sensors for your cruise control, parking features, airbags, weather, collision warning system, backup feature, and lane changing system.

• Finally, damaged cameras – the car bumper can also house elements of your car cameras, which can easily be damaged in an accident.

If you don’t check your car after an accident, you may not be able to repair your Orlando Toyota until it is too late. This can lead to bigger and more expensive repairs, even possibly a replacement, in the future. We recommend coming to the Toyota of Orlando body shop to have a full inspection of your bumper – it’s better to be safe than sorry.

 

How to get a dent out of a car bumper

Do you want to know how to get a dent out of a car bumper? It’s a bit difficult to do so we suggest leaving it to the pros at our Orlando collision center, but here are some guidelines to keep in mind.

• First, you’ll need to get access behind the bumper, so if you aren’t sure how to unclip liners and valances, again – leave it to our pros and stop by Toyota of Orlando.

• Then, you should apply some heat to the dent making it more malleable and easier to work with. If you don’t own a heat gun, you can switch it out for a hair dryer or boiling water – but be careful because it can damage your car’s paint if you apply it for too long.

• Finally, use something rubber-tipped to push the dent out until it pops back into its original placement. Be sure to clip everything back into place.

How to remove scratches from a car bumper

If you want to know how to remove scratches from a car bumper, you’re going to need to be diligent because you might do more harm than good by experimenting. Here are some pointers to remember when trying to DIY your car bumper repair.

• Deep or major scratches are a more tedious repair process and involve special tools, as well as paint that matches your vehicle perfectly. We recommend leaving these to the pros.

• Faint or light scratches are pretty easy to fix. If you can run your fingernail across it and it doesn’t catch, it’s minor enough to buff out with sandpaper, a microfiber cloth, and a polishing compound.

• Minor scratches are scratches that are deep enough to damage the base coat but can still be fixed DIY style if you know what you’re doing. These scratches can also typically be removed with sandpaper, a microfiber cloth, and a polishing compound.

Get all of your car bumper repair needs handled at Toyota of Orlando’s body shop

Have questions about car bumper repair? Whether you need to know how to get a dent out of a car bumper or need to schedule your own repairs with the pros at Toyota of Orlando, call us today. We’re open and waiting at (407) 298-6006. Toyota of Orlando is conveniently located just off I-4 across from the Mall at Millenia at 3575 Vineland Road.