As you can see, brake maintenance is incredibly important, and there’s nothing more important than having the brake fluid flushed regularly. This one little maintenance task could end up saving you tons of money. While flushing the brake fluid is important for all car owners, it is especially imperative for those living in and around the South King County area. This location gets a lot of heavy rainfall, and because brake fluid is known for absorbing moisture, it doesn’t take too long before the fluid is over-saturated with water. This can lead to a lowered boiling point, making it easier for the water content of the brake fluid to boil, which releases steam and creates brake pedal fade. If you can push your brake pedal to the car’s floor, then brake pedal fade is likely the culprit. As with most problems, the longer you let this issue go, the more difficult and expensive to repair it will be.

So, to sum things up, have brake service performed regularly by a quality mechanic, flush your brakes, and never let problems go unresolved. If you can do these things, you’re guaranteed to save money on brake service in the long run.

The post How to Save Money on Brake Service in South King County appeared first on Mr. Clutch.

The best brake service technicians will use premium, original equipment on your vehicle. Used parts, low quality parts, and/or parts that are not designed for use with your specific vehicle can cause you many problems. Used parts, as you might imagine, tend to wear out much more quickly, so while they could mean you pay less for your brake service, you’re not really getting much of a deal. The same is true of lower quality parts, whether they’re new or used. And, if you use parts that aren’t compatible with your vehicle, you could cause damage and/or excessive wear and tear on not just your brakes but on your entire vehicle. Whether you need new brake pads, brake rotors, brake calipers, or anything else in between, make sure the parts being used are the best available.

Good brake service technicians will be interested in forming a long-term, working relationship with you and your car. Services that are just out to make a quick buck will perform the service you ask, take your money, and then send you on your way. A quality service, however, will help you understand which brake services your vehicle needs regularly and will set you up on a good maintenance schedule that will prolong the life of your car. Brakes need several things done to them on a regular basis in order to stay in safe, working order. Brake fluid, for example, needs to be changed once per year. Furthermore, certain local factors, such as the hilly terrain of the area and the excessive rain it receives, can impact which services you will need and how often you will need them. Look for a technician who is not only interested in getting your vehicle on a regular maintenance schedule but also one who treats your vehicle as unique and works to discover its individual needs rather than one who simply treats brake service as a one-size-fits-all kind of process.

Finally, you should always find out what criteria the mechanics who work at a specific shop must meet. You want to look for a shop that hires only the best and most highly trained technicians. Whether that training happens through formal schooling, experience, or a combination of both, it’s important that you find a shop that puts your vehicle in the best and most capable hands. Don’t just look for technicians who are experienced with cars in general; look for technicians who have experience with brakes specifically.

The post Choosing a Brake Service Technician in Puget Sound appeared first on Mr. Clutch.

If you hear a squealing noise when you press down on the brake, for example, this could be indicative of a wide range of serious car problems. Potential issues include worn brake shoes, excess dust in the brake drums, bent or distorted brake backing plates, damaged brake linings, and many others. Since it’s impossible for you to tell, on your own, what, exactly, the squealing represents, just assume it means something’s wrong and take your vehicle in for brake service!

Sometimes, brakes may make an unpleasant scraping sound. This frequently occurs when you’re traveling along at lower speeds and is thus easier to hear than certain other types of brake noise. Usually, that scraping sound means that you have worn and/or damaged brake pads. It could also indicate an issue with the wheel bearings. Scraping sounds are some of the most dangerous sounds you can hear, since they can often indicate brakes that are near failure. If you ignore the problem for too long, you could find yourself unable to stop when you need to, which can obviously be incredibly dangerous. If you hear a scraping sound, do not delay in seeking brake service for your vehicle.

You may also notice a rattling noise. Rattling sounds may or may not be something to be concerned about; it really depends on when you hear these sounds. If you hear that rattling sound when you let off the pedal, don’t panic; this is normal. If the rattling noise occurs while you’ve got your foot on the pedal, however, a problem could exist. Of course, it’s better to be safe than sorry, so if you’re unsure about when the rattling sound is occurring or about whether or not it could indicate a problem, take your vehicle in for brake service.

In fact, anytime you hear a strange noise—whether it’s emanating from the brakes or anywhere else in your vehicle—it’s best to see a mechanic. New sounds don’t start happening without reason, and that reason is usually a problem with your car.

The post Sounds That Could Mean You Need Brake Service in Seattle appeared first on Mr. Clutch.

How much fixing your clutch will cost is dependent upon a number of factors. These include the exact problem with the clutch and how damaged it is. Whether just the clutch itself or the entire transmission is damaged will also play a large role in determining cost. Also keep in mind that repairing a clutch is generally cheaper than replacing the clutch entirely.

If you do have to replace the clutch, however, the clutch that you choose to replace it with will have a large effect on price. In this instance, though, it is often better to go with a quality name brand clutch, like Rhino or Exedy. Performance clutches can also be an excellent investment. Keep in mind that quality items may cost you more upfront, but will last you for longer periods of time.

The post What Costs are Involved in a Clutch/Transmission Repair in a Isuzu Rodeo? appeared first on Mr. Clutch.

In terms of time, an experienced mechanic can usually replace a Honda clutch in as little as four to eight hours. For those who are less experienced, however, the job can take as long as ten hours or more. Obviously, the first thing you have to decide is whether or not you want to take your car somewhere or to invest the time and do the job yourself. A word to the wise, however—clutch replacements are not easy, and those with only a small, general knowledge of cars should not attempt to replace the clutch themselves. Only if you are truly experienced with vehicle repairs and clutches in general should you even attempt such a feat. Even then, you are taking a risk that could be eliminated by going to a reputable, experienced professional mechanic.

If you do decide to tackle the job yourself, be aware that there are clutch replacement kits you can buy from many places. These kits generally contain all the pieces you need, with the exception of the actual clutch itself, to get the job done These are a very cost efficient way to tackle this tough job, though again, doing it yourself is not really recommended unless you’re a professional mechanic.

For those who take the less risky path and use an auto mechanic, there are some things you can do to lower the cost of your clutch replacement. First and foremost, be very selective in terms of the mechanic that you choose. Do your research to find mechanics in your area that are known for doing quality jobs as fairly affordable prices. Keep in mind that quality should always be more of a concern than price. If you pay next to nothing but have a poor job done, you’re just going to have to spend even more money and time later on down the line.

Also, make sure that you don’t just go with the first mechanic you come across. Instead, take the time to get price quotes from a wide variety of different mechanics. That way, you can see what your options are and choose the most cost efficient one, still keeping in mind that a job well done is worth more money and is a smarter investment. Also note that the older your car is, the more expensive your replacement job is likely to be and, in some cases, it may actually be cheaper to just buy a new vehicle.

The post What is the Estimated Cost and Time for a Honda Clutch Replacement appeared first on Mr. Clutch.

One giveaway of a faulty transmission is unexplained leakage. Unfortunately, when it’s your transmission that’s leaking, this often goes unnoticed due to the fact that the leakage usually pools underneath the car where you don’t see it. If you have a feeling that something is awry with your transmission, don’t be afraid to crawl under your car and look for wetness, pools of liquid, or drips. Leaked transmission fluid is a big indicator that something is wrong. This fluid generally has a pink to orange color but, in the case of a damaged transmission, can take on a burnt appearance, turning the color much darker. If you’re unable to tell whether or not the leak is coming from the transmission and if it’s actually transmission fluid that you’re seeing, you should still visit a mechanic. Whether that puddle you see is actually transmission fluid or not matters little; any kind of leakage indicates a problem with your vehicle and renders a visit to the auto mechanic in order.

If you’re experiencing bumpy rides with your Jeep, you could have a transmission problem on your hands. Unexplained jerking, stopping, or jumping of the vehicle is usually caused by your transmission slipping while trying to go from ne gear to another. This is one of the most common signs of transmission failure and one of the most noticeable, so if you experience this, you can be almost certain that it’s a transmission problem you’re facing. Another dead giveaway is a long pause when going from one gear to another. Shifting gears should be smooth and instant, but if it’s taking your transmission a while to get from one gear to the other, this is indicative of a problem. Some people continue driving their Jeeps even when this issue crops up, but this is a big mistake, one that can lead to further damage of your vehicle.

When you notice any of these signs, the first thing to do is to stop driving your vehicle regularly. Any driving you do will only serve to make matters worse. Limit driving or don’t drive at all until you can get to a mechanic and nip the problem in the bud.

The post How to Know It’s Time for a Jeep Transmission Repair appeared first on Mr. Clutch.

Finding a trustworthy mechanic is more difficult than it might seem at first glance. After all, it’s natural to assume that anyone operating a real business would be honest and forthright. Unfortunately, this is not always the case. Just because a shop looks good on the inside and the mechanics seem capable and well-trained doesn’t mean that they actually are. You can’t just go on face value; you have to delve deeper if your Nissan is going to get the attention it needs to keep running for years to come.

One good way to find an honest mechanic is to simply ask your friends! If you know someone who has had transmission problems in the past and who got them remedied, ask that person for a recommendation. Those who have been satisfied with repair services in the past can point you in the direction of good mechanics. Those who have been swindled can also provide a valuable service by letting you know which auto repair shops to steer clear of.

If you don’t have friends who have been in this predicament or if you just want to go the extra mile in finding a mechanic, take the time to go online. Most businesses are featured on pages where past and current customers can write reviews. Through these reviews, you can learn about the shop’s pricing, whether or not past customers feel they were treated fairly, the quality of the work that they do, and about their level of customer service. Remember that any good company can get a few bad reviews—you can’t please everyone all the time—but overwhelmingly negative reviews or a lot of complaints about the same thing are usually a good indicator of a shady shop.

You can also visit the company website of any shop you are thinking of using. While you must understand that information here will, of course, be written in such a way to paint the shop in the best possible light, this is a good place to learn about pricing, payment plans and financing options, how long the company has been in business, and other basic facts. Whenever possible, go with a repair shop that has highly credentialed mechanics and that has been in operation for at least a few years. A long history usually means the shop is doing something right!

The post Why You Should Get Your Nissan Transmission Repair at a Trusted Auto Repair Shop appeared first on Mr. Clutch.

You can begin your search just by going online to search for mechanics in your area or even by paging through the local phone book. Just make a list of all of your options, being especially on the lookout for shops that specialize in transmission and related issues. Once you’ve got your list all set up, it’s normal to feel a little overwhelmed. If you live in a medium to large city, you likely have quite a few choices to choose from. Don’t worry, however, because the next thing to do is to start narrowing down that list.

Start by looking into each mechanic on your list. Visit their websites if applicable, call  and ask for a rate quote on a transmission repair, or even stop by the shop to visit it and meet the staff. You can also go online and read reviews written by past or current clients of a particular mechanic or shop. If you find anything in the reviews that makes you uncomfortable, if the quoted price is too high, or if you just don’t like something about a particular mechanic, feel free to cross them off your list. Ideally, you’ll want to get your list down to a few (two to four or so) final choices.

With your final choices in hand, it’s time to get serious. Touch base with each of those choices and ask if you can bring your vehicle in for a free assessment, in which you’ll learn what’s wrong with the transmission, what should be done to fix it, and, of course, how much the job will cost. Most shops and mechanics do offer a free assessment, but if you run into one who wants to charge, run for the hills. This is a good sign that money, not your satisfaction or doing a quality job, is that person or company’s main concern.

Once you have your opinions and rate quotes (hopefully all of the opinions match up!), you can sit down and compare shops, prices, and other information to make your final, informed decision. If you are faced with a lot of dissenting opinions on just what is wrong with your transmission, it’s best to get a few more opinions and see what the most common consensus is. All that matters in the end is that you put in the work to get your transmission properly repaired and running strong for you for many years to come.

The post How to Find the Best Mechanic for your Dodge Transmission Repair appeared first on Mr. Clutch.

One of the first things that will happen when your transmission has been properly repaired is that those annoying “Check Engine” and “Transmission Overdrive” lights should go away. This should ease your worries about your car, and help you pay better attention to driving and to what’s going on on the road. If the lights don’t go away, then you’ll want to take your car back to the mechanic who did the replacement to find out why, as this could indicate an issue with the repair.

A properly repaired transmission should also stop leaking transmission fluid. Transmission fluid can be dangerous to pets and small children and can cause slipping, so it’s best to get leaks taken care of as soon as you spot them. A truly repaired transmission should no longer leave puddles under your vehicle. Keep in mind, however, that leakage can be attributed to many different car issues, not just transmission problems, so leakage that occurs soon after your transmission repair may not mean that the repair didn’t do the job.

When your transmission has been fixed, you should also find that you have better control over your drive wheels. Oftentimes, a faulty transmission can lead to sloppy, slipping, hard to manage drive wheels, but everything should return to normal once your transmission has been fixed. Likewise, you should also be able to get more power to the drive wheels, allowing you to clip along easily at a speed that is comfortable for you.

Fixing your transmission should also give you back the usage of any gears that you may have been unable to use while your transmission was having problems. You should never drive without all of your gears in working order, so if this problem occurs in the future, take it to your repairman right away.

A fixed transmission should also mean a much easier time shifting into gear. You won’t have to pull so hard or jerk the gear stick to get it to do what you want. Plus, there should be no delay in your shifting. Getting a transmission fixed can remedy so many problems, some of which you won’t even notice until you see how much better driving is with a newly refurbished transmission. Never wait to act on transmission problems; visit a mechanic at the first sign of trouble.

The post The Benefits of a Transmission Repair appeared first on Mr. Clutch.

First  of all, always pay attention when you’re shifting into gear. Does your car have a hard time doing so? Perhaps you have to harshly jerk on the gear stick in order to put your car into gear, or maybe your car does some jerking and sputtering of its own instead. Or maybe your car just takes a minute to shift into gear, as if not reacting to what you have done. All of these are signs that something could be wrong with your transmission and warrant a trip to the mechanic.

In between shifting from one gear to the next, you also need to be mindful of what your vehicle is doing. If you notice your revolutions per minute (RPM) suddenly jumping up for no good reason during this time, transmission issues may be on the horizon. Keep in mind, however, that this can also be a sign of other problems and that it can’t be difficult to determine what the issue is on your own.

Sometimes, some of your gears just stop working altogether. Far too often, people ignore this; after all, they can usually still get by with the missing gears. However, ignoring the problem can only further damage the transmission and perhaps even other vital parts of your car, like the engine! If you can’t use even one of your gears or even if the gear only works sometimes, you need to see your mechanic.

Fluid leakage is yet another possible indicator of transmission trouble. Of course, if the fluid is not coming from the transmission area, then the leakage is likely indicative of a different problem, but still one that should be checked out. Surprisingly, issues with your drive wheels can also be due to a faulty transmission. Slipping tires or not being able to give your drive wheels the oomph you want can indicate transmission failure.

And, of course, if your “Check Engine” or “Transmission Overdrive” lights come on, then you know you need to heed their warning and get some help with your vehicle. Make sure you take your car to a qualified mechanic, one who has experience working with transmissions. Also, if you plan to fix your transmission, don’t just go with the first mechanic you find. Shop around a bit to find the best price so you don’t pay out the nose.

The post Warning Signs That It’s Time for a Honda Transmission Repair appeared first on Mr. Clutch.