With colder weather settling in, it’s a good idea to winterize your car. Since we don’t always get much snow here in Richmond, you might think that there’s no need to protect your car against winter weather. Nothing could be further from the truth! Winterizing your car is about more than making it ready for ice and snow; it also helps keep it running its best in chillier temperatures. At Aarrow Transmission, we’re serious about helping Richmond drivers keep their vehicles in great shape year-round. Here are a few of our best tips for winterizing your car from our South Richmond and Glen Allen locations.
1. Get your vehicle inspected
Bitter cold can increase wear and tear on certain parts of your vehicle, especially if it’s older, but these problems aren’t always immediately visible. Rather than leave it up to chance, have one of the trained mechanics at Aarrow inspect your vehicle! We know what to look for, and we’re able to make repairs that last.
2. Check your battery
Did you know? Cold weather places added strain onto car batteries, leaving you stuck with a car that won’t start. The motor oil in your vehicle can thicken from cold weather, which means it has to do more work in order to power your car. Having your battery inspected by a professional means you’ll be able to get needed replacements on the spot.
3. Check the condition of your tires
All kinds of issues can befall your tires during the winter. If their treads are worn, they’re susceptible to hydroplaning, which may lead to serious accidents. Cold weather can also cause your tire pressure to drop, which reduces gas mileage and runs the risk of wearing your tires out faster. A trained mechanic – like the experts at Aarrow – can inspect your tires and determine what’s best for your vehicle
4. Get a brake inspection
Keeping your brakes in top condition is essential year round, but crucial in the winter. Wintery road conditions put your breaks under more strain than any other season, and if the roads have been salted, it can cause further damage to the brake system. Having your brake system checked once or twice by the season is an easy way to keep your car, your passengers, and yourself safe.
5. Check your antifreeze level and condition
If your antifreeze is rust-colored, it means you may need to flush and refill the cooling system. Coolant is what protects your engine from freezing and cracking. It’s vital in the wintertime, so make sure you have enough. Coolant test strips are inexpensive and easy to use, and they will show you if your coolant is still good for freeze protection. If it’s not, get new coolant right away.
6. Replace your wiper blades and keep a spare pair in your car.
When windshield wipers wear down, they can cause water smears on the windshield and become more dangerous for winter drives. To prevent wear, use an ice scraper to clear ice from your windshield rather than your wipers. It’s also important to ensure your wiper fluid is freeze resistant and that you keep extra wiper fluid in your vehicle.
Honest Auto Service In Richmond, VA
For help with any winterizing needs, visit Aarrow Transmission. With two convenient locations on either side of the James River, we’re proud to serve drivers throughout the Richmond metro area. Give us a call today to schedule your next service.
You don’t often think about brake maintenance, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t important. Most people wait until their brakes have become a real problem before they repair them. Never wait until the last minute when it comes to your braking system. Keeping your brakes in top working condition ensures the safety of you, your passengers, and other motorists. If you suspect something might be wrong, contact the brake experts at Aarrow Transmissions, the most trusted auto repair in Richmond, VA and Midlothian. We guarantee honest and affordable pricing for all brake and auto repairs.
If you’re unsure if your brakes are working properly, here some signs that you may need them replaced:
1. Screeching
When stopping at a red light or stop sign, you might notice loud screeches coming from your car or someone else’s. Sometimes it’s just water, but it could also be more serious. If this loud noise happens frequently, it means your wear indicators are worn down and it’s time to change your brake pads. Waiting too long will cause the indicator to scrape against the rotor, which can cause even more issues. The mechanics at Aarrow Transmissions will be happy to get rid of this obnoxious noise.
2. Vibration
It’s not normal for your brake pedal to vibrate while coming to a stop. Get your car the professional attention it deserves with the brake repair experts at Aarrow Transmissions. We will take a look at your braking system and diagnose the problem. Most likely, this vibrating sensation is caused by warped rotors. When this happens, your brake pads become uneven, which makes it harder for them to grab the surface correctly.
3. Pulling
If you’ve been driving around Richmond or Midlothian and noticed your vehicle pulling to one side while braking, your pads are probably uneven. Brake pads don’t always wear at the same rate, so one side begins to pull when it happens at a faster rate. Waiting too long to replace the pad will only put more stress on the vehicle. Aarrow Transmissions can replace your pads and have your brakes feeling good as new.
4. Stopping Takes Longer
Does your car not brake as quickly as it used to? This is commonly referred to as “brake fade.” If your car regularly brakes on hills, eventually it will take a toll on the braking system. Usually, it means your brake pads are worn or your brake fluid is low. Just to be safe, have the best brake technicians in Richmond make sure everything is working properly.
5. Grinding
Similar to screeching, your brakes may make a grinding noise if the pads need to be replaced. There’s no one better to call than Aarrow Transmissions.
6. Thinning Brake Pads
It’s never a bad idea to inspect your brake pads. You can easily do this by looking between the spokes of your wheel. If the padding is less than a ¼ of an inch thick, it’s time for a new set. Bring your vehicle by Aarrow Transmissions, and we will replace your brake pads at an affordable price.
7. Your Brake Light Is On
If the brake light is on, your car is trying to tell you something. Have a professional take a look to make sure your brakes are functioning properly. As Richmond’s top choice for brake and auto repairs, the experts at Aarrow Transmissions will be happy to inspect your car’s brake system.
8. Burning Smell While Driving
If you’ve noticed a sharp, chemical odor coming from your car while driving, pull over immediately. This smell coming from your engine is due to the overheating of your brakes or clutch. Typically, this happens after repeated braking on steep hills. Check to make sure your parking brake is fully released and allow your brakes to cool down. If the burning smell returns, contact Aarrow Transmissions. We will get to the root of the problem so you can safely get back on the road.
Honest Auto Service In Richmond, VA
You trust your brakes to take care of you and your family. Trust Aarrow Transmission to take great care of your brakes. Feel free to call or contact us today for any general questions you might have about our brake services or if you need a quote.
Pretty much everyone will experience the horror and frustration of a car that won’t start at least once or twice. A dead car battery can leave you stranded with no idea where to turn for help. Once your new car battery is installed, it’s important to know how long the battery will last before needing to replace it again. You don’t want to find yourself stranded again!
Your Battery’s Life Span
Car batteries don’t last forever. While regular, lead-acid car batteries are maintenance-free, it’s still important to know ahead of time how long your battery will last before you need to replace it. However, with so many different brands, types, and qualities of batteries available, there is no set estimate of a battery’s life span.
Battery life depends on the battery’s quality, and many experts and mechanics agree that three to five years seems to be the average life span. Some experts recommend that car owners replace their car battery after four years no matter the current condition, but it’s always better to test the battery first. Every battery’s life span is different, and some will last longer than others. Testing out the battery is the only way to know the strength of your battery and if it’s wearing down and needs to be replaced.
While there is no exact expiration date for car batteries and no definite way to know how long it will last, there are still ways to tell if you need to replace your battery soon. Instead of getting stranded with a vehicle that won’t start, look out for:
- Dimming headlights
- Frequent need for revving and jump-starting
- Strain in cold weather
- Power fluctuations
Your car may show some of these signs if your battery is nearing the end of its life. Check the battery warranty and when it was manufactured to figure out how old it is and determine if a replacement is needed.
How to Prolong Your Battery’s Life
While car battery replacement is inevitable, there are ways that you can prolong your battery’s life. Over time, your battery will inevitably start to weaken, but there are many factors that you can adjust to improve your battery’s life and prevent it from failing prematurely:
- Properly secure your battery. Vibrations and rough travel can impair normal functioning, so make sure the clamps are on tight.
- Turn headlights off while parked. This preventative action will help keep your battery fully charged since you only need headlights while driving.
- Routine Maintenance. Check your battery every time you check your oil to test its quality and strength.
Professional Auto Repair
When your car battery dies and needs to be replaced, some car owners try and fix the issue by themselves, which can be ineffective and even dangerous! Leave it to the professionals and take your vehicle to an auto repair service.
At Aarrow Transmission, our automotive service experts can replace your battery with a brand new one, and you don’t have to lift a finger! Changing a battery can be unsafe for an amateur mechanic considering the live currents that need to be worked around. We have the skills and knowledge to get the job done right, so you don’t have to risk replacing the battery yourself.
If your vehicle won’t start, instead of the standard “auto service near me” search, call Aarrow Transmission. We’ll fix the issue and have your car rolling out of the lot in no time!
Your car’s transmission is one of the most critical aspects of the entire vehicle. The transmission regulates the power that goes to your car’s wheels that in turn makes it drive at any given speed. It’s not dissimilar to the gear shift of a multi-speed bicycle, and many of the same problems that affect a bike’s gear shift can affect a car’s transmission, just on a much bigger scale.
It’s vital that you maintain your transmission properly and stay on the lookout for any signs that you might need transmission repair. By catching problems early, you could end up saving yourself a ton of money on costly repairs or even a full replacement.
Common Transmission Problems
Shifting is Rough & Bumpy
Your automatic transmission vehicle should be able to change gears so smoothly that you barely even notice when it happens. If you notice that your car’s gear shifting is rough, bumpy, or results in a noticeable noise, that’s a sign that your transmission isn’t working correctly. Or, if your car seems to be having an unusually hard time accelerating to the speed you want, your transmission may be the cause.
Gear Slipping
Gear slipping, or transmission slipping, refers to a phenomenon when your vehicle seems to be changing gears for no discernable reason. You might notice that it’s having trouble accelerating like it usually does or that your engine has sudden sound changes as you’re driving. The basic rule of thumb for vehicle care is that if something feels, sounds, or looks off, you should get it checked out by a professional immediately.
Leaking Fluids
Your transmission fluid should never leak or spill out from your engine. It’s always a good idea to check your driveway or parking spot after you pull away to see if there are any stains or pools of liquid left behind. Transmission fluid will appear in either a shade or red or brown. If you do notice evidence of a leak, don’t simply refill the fluid and call it a day. Transmission fluid leaks could indicate a bigger problem, so you should get your car check out by a transmission repair professional as soon as possible.
Delayed Start
Delayed start, or delayed engagement, occurs when you shift your car out of “park” and into “drive,” and it doesn’t start to move forward immediately. If there’s a significant pause where your car is in “drive” but is still stationary, this could signal a problem with your transmission.
Warning Light Appears
While your “check engine” warning light could signal a wide range of problems, if it appears on your dashboard, you should take your car into a professional service as soon as possible for a checkup. While you’re there, make sure they check the transmission to see if it’s working properly. Aarrow Transmission offers affordable auto repair in Glen Allen so that you always have somewhere to turn for reliable, trustworthy transmission repair services.
Repair Costs
The cost of transmission repair depends entirely on what the issue is. In some cases, you might only need a small part replaced, which will usually cost somewhere between $100-$300. If it turns out your need a full transmission replacement, you could be spending around $2,000-$3,000 on the entire job. That’s why it’s crucial to know how to recognize signs of transmission problems so that you can hopefully catch them early and avoid a costly full replacement.
Why Trust Aarrow Transmission
Aarrow Transmission proudly offers affordable auto repair in Glen Allen, VA. We’ve been helping our neighbors solve their car problems since 1985, and our team knows how to handle every type of car. We pride ourselves in providing honest, expert services to everyone who walks through our doors and always looking for the best, most affordable solution to your car troubles. Our priority is always the customer experience, and we make sure that you’re satisfied with Aarrow Transmission’s work from start to finish.
One of the biggest parts of being a responsible car owner is knowing when it’s time to service your car. If you ignore small issues, they’re almost certainly going to get worse and worse until they cause a major problem, a breakdown, or lead to expensive repairs. You should always be proactive about getting your car serviced. Aarrow Automotive are the experts you can trust and start a relationship with for affordable auto service in Midlothian, VA. Once you have your go-to experts on-call, all you have to do is know what the warning signs are and bring your car in for a checkup as soon as you notice any issues.
What is your car trying to tell you
- Pay Attention to Warning Lights
This is probably the most obvious sign that something’s wrong with your car. Your vehicle has a set of warning lights that will light up on your dashboard when something goes awry. Every car is different, but your warning lights will alert you to things like low tire pressure, burnt out lights, or even engine failure. As soon as one of these lights comes on, call your affordable auto service in Midlothian and schedule an appointment as soon as you can.
- Review Your Owner’s Manual
Reading your owner’s manual can help you figure out if there’s actually something weird going on with your car or if that’s par for the course for that particular make and model. It can also help you get familiar with all the warning lights in your car and what they mean, so that if one comes on, you know immediately what you need to check, and you’re not distracted by trying to figure out what that weird symbol on your dashboard means.
- Don’t Ignore Frequent Stalling
Your car should essentially never stall out while you’re driving it. Of course, for stick shift cars, some stalling is normal, especially if you’re new to using a manual shift car. However, if your car is stalling at an intersection or while you’re accelerating often, that’s not a good sign. Stalling while driving can be extremely dangerous, so if it happens even once, it’s time to get your car looked at.
- Reduced Gas Mileage
Pay attention to how often you’re filling up your gas tank. If all of a sudden, you find yourself having to fill up more often than usual, that could indicate a problem with your vehicle that needs attention. It could be just a simple tune-up fixes the issue or something more serious. It’s also important that you know what your car’s normal gas mileage is so that you can recognize when its efficiency decreases.
- Vibrations and Strange Noises
Vibrations are normal if you’re driving on a particularly rough or uneven road, but otherwise, your car shouldn’t be vibrating heavily. If you feel sudden vibrations when you reach a certain speed or when you’re stopped at a red light, you need to get your car checked ASAP. It could be a problem with your tires or something more serious. Similarly, if you notice any unusual noises, don’t ignore it and hope it goes away. Strange noises could indicate a problem with your brakes, transmission, and more, and you need to address them immediately.
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