San Diego Auto Repair

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Common problems with Volvo cars

Volvos have a reputation for being some of the safest and long-lasting vehicles on the road. Stories of owners getting 200-300K miles out of their cars are not unusual. That said, there are several common problems with Volvos that you may encounter. As with any automobile, it's always good to be informed as to what to expect so you can address the issues in a timely manner. If you want to extend the life of your car, proper maintenance is key. So, how do you know when it's time to take your car into the shop? Even those of us who don't have any training in car mechanics know when something simply feels different in our personal vehicles. Other times we're alerted by an unfamiliar sound or because the check engine light is illuminated. With Volvos in particular, this can be an indication that there are transmission problems. Are you experiencing any of these? Occasionally the check engine light comes on for what appears to be a camshaft position sensor failure. Though, with ... read more

How much will it cost you to fix your transmission?

If your car is having transmission problems, there are several factors involved in making the decision to repair, rebuild, or replace. First and foremost — it is worth fixing? Transmissions are one of the most expensive repairs that you can have done on your vehicle. The number of miles that you have on your vehicle should play an important part in the decision process. Statistically speaking, the more miles you have on your car, the more likely it is that the problem with the transmission is the result of a failure of one or more of its internal parts. That means a rebuilt or a new transmission. If problems are discovered early on, the solution may involve minor repairs vs. having to have a rebuilt or a new transmission. These types of problems include low levels of transmission fluid which can be caused by a leak due to a break in the pan gasket or an axle leak. Another less costly repair involves replacing a transmission solenoid which is responsible for controlling the fl ... read more

Can you fix your transmission at home?

A great way to cut down on the cost of maintaining your automobile is to take on some weekend projects yourself like changing the oil or checking and refilling fluids. Some car maintenance, however, is better left to a shop with a fully equipped garage. For example, fixing a transmission yourself requires the ability to lift heavy pieces from the car to gain access and specialized equipment. At TransMasters Transmission and Auto Repair, we have a state of the art transmission facility right on site. And, our mechanics receive extensive training on testing, repairing and rebuilding transmissions. We can have your engine running in top condition quickly, and you can skip the aggravation of an at-home transmission repair. Probably not, and here's why Generally, a home garage is not outfitted with the equipment used in transmission repair. And, the last thing you want is to take apart your car's engine and discover that you don't have the experience or tools needed to fix a tra ... read more

How much does a new transmission cost?

Your car's transmission is one of the most complex parts of its engine. Due to this and the fact that the transmission is continually in use while you're operating your car, it's subject to a significant amount of wear and tear while other engine components are not. So, it shouldn't be surprising that replacing the transmission is one the most expensive repairs that you can have done on your car. Perhaps the most important question to ask is "how much does a new transmission cost?" The cost of a new transmission can range from $1000 — $4000, and there are a number of factors involved in determining the price. One of most important factors is the make and model of your vehicle, with the cost for high-end and imports running higher in comparison to domestic models. Other factors that come into play are the amount of damage the transmission has sustained and whether or not your car is equipped with an automatic vs. a manual transmission. One way to cut down on your repair bi ... read more

Instructions to check transmission fluid

Like many of us, you may be in the habit of taking your car to a mechanic when anything goes wrong. They are the experts, after all. Still, it's always good to know how to perform a few simple maintenance measures, such as how to check your own transmission fluid which can help to extend the life of your engine. At TransMasters Transmissions and Auto Care, we encourage our customers to understand the basic steps involved in checking transmission fluid in order to head off potential transmission issues before they even start. First things first — before you do anything you need to think about safety. Make sure that your car is in park on a level surface and that the parking brake is fully engaged. Next, if you don't know already, pull out your car's manual to see exactly where the transmission fluid reservoir is located, and whether the manufacturer recommends that you keep the engine running or turn it off while you're performing this maintenance check. Once you've locate ... read more

Car stuck in reverse

A car's transmission is a complicated mechanical system that, essentially, makes it run. The transmission is attached to the car's engine, making the engine and wheels operate in sync with one another. In other words, it keeps the engine turning in time with the wheels no matter what gear you're in. The transmission has a lot of moving parts that interact with one another so it's subject to more wear and tear from friction and heat. If your car is getting stuck in reverse or you have problems changing gears, these are all indicators of transmission problems that need the attention of a repair shop that specializes in transmissions. Transmasters Transmissions and Auto Care, with two locations in the San Diego area, have been serving customers for over 25 years. Specializing in several types of transmission repair services, Transmasters has an in-house automatic transmission and manual transmission remanufacturing facility in addition to an in-house engine and drive train remanuf ... read more

Leaking transmission?

When you back your vehicle out of your driveway or garage and you notice a greasy, red spot on the pavement, it's more than likely transmission fluid from your car. Driving your vehicle with a transmission leak can end up leaving you stranded and walking to the nearest garage! If you've noticed that your car's transmission seems to be jumping in and out of gear, bucking or slipping while driving, these are other symptoms of a serious transmission problem. The best way to determine whether or not there is a problem with your transmission is to check the fluid level using the vehicle's dipstick. Fluid levels need to be checked while your car is idling and be aware that the operating ranges with respect to fluid levels are temperature-dependent. If the fluid level in your car is below that which is recommended, then it's best not to drive your car because you could do more damage to other parts of the transmission. If you live in the San Diego area, Transmasters Transmissions and ... read more

Fixing a car that won’t go in reverse

One of the more difficult and sometimes frightening problems you can experience is when your car is struck in drive and won't go in reverse. Generally, this is an indication that you're in need of transmission repair, but it doesn't necessarily mean you have to replace the whole thing. Sometimes there's a simple solution such as replacing the transmission fluid and a filter or fixing a bad connection where the transmission links to the engine. Other times, you may need to completely rebuild the part. One thing's for sure — unless you're an expert on car engines, you'll want to enlist the help of a qualified mechanic. The reliable staff at TransMasters Transmissions and Auto Car has been fixing transmission issues in the San Diego area for over 24 years. If your car won't back up and/or the tail lights aren't coming on, we can help. Our highly trained staff of mechanics have decades of experience diagnosing and fixing these problems, and we take pride in offering top quali ... read more

Do you really need to replace your automatic transmission?

The transmission of your car is a complicated piece of machinery; actually, it's a system that experiences a lot of wear and tear due to the fact that it has a lot of moving parts that need to interact with one another to make the transmission work. Heat and friction are generated due to the movements of the parts in your car's transmission, and this can cause transmission problems as your vehicle ages or if it is not properly maintained and serviced. The real downside of transmission problems is the cost of repair — it can be pretty expensive, depending on if you're talking about repairing or rebuilding and/or replacing it. So, the number one thing you need to remember is that scheduled maintenance of your car can really help to prevent transmission problems. Recognizing the symptoms and being able to diagnose a transmission problem means that you can get your car to a mechanic ASAP before the problem becomes really costly. Symptoms you should watch out for There ... read more

How do you choose the right auto shop to repair your transmission?

One of the trickier parts to a car engine is the transmission. If you're experiencing transmission problems, you'll need to find a shop where the mechanics have both training and experience in working on this particular area of the engine. TransMasters Transmissions and Auto Care includes an on-site, state-of-the-art transmission facility. We are experts in diagnosing transmissions as well as repairing and rebuilding them. Both of ourTransMasters locations are owned by ASE–Certified Master Technicians, and our team is made up of ASE–certified mechanics. Our number one commitment is customer satisfaction, which is why we strive to diagnose and repair the problem quickly. The sooner your car is back on the road running smoothly, the better. We offer the same services and expertise as the dealership without charging you dealership prices. Knowledge and experience really do matter In addition to being ASE–certified, our mechanics attend extensive training to b ... read more

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