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Transmission In Springfield, Missouri

How Do We Diagnose Transmission Problems?

Some Things Are Obvious

Some things are obvious. If your vehicle won’t budge even though you’ve put it in gear and pressed the accelerator, or if it goes into a different gear unexpectedly at an inappropriate time while you’re driving, it’s clear that you likely have a transmission issue. However, those observable signs can be triggered by various causes, things you can’t see from the driver’s seat. Also, some warning signals of car trouble may indicate multiple underlying causes so that the problem could be something other than the transmission. If you suspect a transmission problem, bring your vehicle to U.S. Automotive in Springfield, Missouri (Sunshine St. location). In business for nearly four decades, our technicians have a combined quarter-century of experience working on any make or model. That makes us your best local shop for transmission repair.

Diagnosing What Can’t Be Seen

Because our mechanics are knowledgeable and thorough, they take a comprehensive approach to ensure that a potential transmission issue is properly diagnosed. First, someone on our staff takes the time to discuss your car with you, noting your driver observations regarding hard shifts, grinding gears, or burning odors. Then we look underneath for any tell-tale signs of a transmission fluid leak. Further, we connect our diagnostic scanner to your automobile. This computerized device will generate trouble codes to represent several mechanical problems. If there is a transmission shifting problem or an engine control unit (ECU) malfunction in directing the transmission, we’ll be able to determine that. Once we know the exact trouble, we’ll discuss the issue and potential solutions with you. Each circumstance is unique. You may need no more than a transmission flush and transmission fluid exchange to breathe new life back into your car. A transmission rebuild may suffice if the damage isn’t widespread and you’re on a budget. However, if there’s extensive damage or if you’re ready to be done with the prospect of any transmission trouble for a while, you might opt for a transmission replacement.

Transmission Repair You Can Trust

It’s important to choose a transmission repair shop you can trust. Inaccurate diagnosis and shoddy repairs cause you to spend money, perhaps unnecessarily, while receiving questionable results that may not last. U.S. Automotive has earned a reputation for exemplary work backed by a 36-month/36,000 mile warranty, making us your local source for transmission repair.

Brake Repair In Springfield, Missouri

What To Do About Soft Brakes

Soft Is Good–Unless It’s Your Brakes

Soft is good–unless that cushy feeling is related to your vehicle’s brakes. A comforting pillow to cushion your head after a long day is wonderful, but a spongy feeling brake pedal incites fear. Will you be able to stop your car in time? Since that answer is uncertain, bring your vehicle to U.S. Automotive in Springfield, Missouri, at our Sunshine St. location, for brake repair at the first sign of trouble. You shouldn’t take a chance by driving with inadequate stopping power, and you don’t have to. Our experienced technicians are equipped to work on any make or model, treating every automobile as if it were their own.

What Should You Do?

Usually, a soft pedal points to a lack of sufficient brake fluid and hydraulic force. Your braking system works by sending the fluid through hoses, multiplying the force you apply to the pedal to the point that it can move braking components into place to slow and stop your car. The absence of the solid feel of the pedal under your foot means that something is preventing the pressure from remaining high enough. If you experience this event while driving, try pumping the brake pedal to see if you can build pressure. If so, once you feel the brakes taking hold, apply steady pressure to the pedal until your automobile stops. Don’t continue driving the vehicle. Have it towed to our facility for repairs. If you cannot build pressure, gradually engage the emergency (parking) brake to stop. Once we receive your car, we’ll check to see if the brake fluid level is low. A sudden drop in the amount of fluid on hand probably indicates another issue, so we’ll look for fluid leaks anywhere in the system, including along the brake lines, in the wheel cylinders, and around the brake calipers. Also, we’ll examine the master cylinder to see if it’s cracked or otherwise damaged. Any breach in the system can allow brake fluid to escape and air bubbles to enter, disrupting the building of hydraulic force. Regardless of the problem, we can repair your brakes and return your auto to the road safely.

Reliable Brake Repair Near You

Sudden problems such as a soft pedal can most often be prevented with routine brake inspections and timely brake services. Also, it’s important that you report any warning signs to your technician. These include grinding, squealing, burning smells, and extended stopping distances. At U.S. Automotive, we value our customers and provide reliable brake service to ensure that our neighbors can drive safely.

Engine Repair In Springfield, Missouri

What You Need to Know about Engine Knocking

Knock. Knock. It’s Not A Joke

If you have kids of a certain age or remember a lot about your own childhood, you’re probably familiar with the old “Knock. Knock.” jokes. While these corny sayings can bring a smile, there’s nothing entertaining about hearing your vehicle’s engine knocking as you motor down the road. Perhaps you wonder if your car will make it to your destination. Is there a major problem? Is your engine sustaining damage? U.S. Automotive in Springfield, Missouri (Sunshine St. location), knows all about your transportation’s engine regardless of which make or model you drive. Our professional technicians are happy to provide you with information about engine knocking and make any engine repairs your vehicle may need.

A Few Facts About Engine Knocking

Engine knocking can be caused by a myriad of underlying causes. Since there’s not a single cause, there is also not a sole answer as to how to stop it. If you’re lucky, the noise is only temporary as is the case if your vehicle is straining to maintain speed while climbing a steep hill. If this happens, simply let off the accelerator a bit to reduce the demand. After all, you don’t have to be the first one to reach the top of the mountain. More constant rapping from under the hood can point to other issues. Your engine works using internal combustion. Small, controlled explosions from ignition and compression of air and fuel move mechanical parts, producing power that’s converted to turn the wheels. The process is timed precisely via a timing belt or chain that allows pistons to rise and fall within the cylinders and valves to open and close. If you begin to notice a mild knock, you might try higher quality gasoline (premium) to see if this clears up the problem. Also, be sure your auto has a sufficient amount of oil. (It’s a good idea to get routine oil changes even in the absence of noise.) If it continues, bring your vehicle in for diagnostics and any needed repairs before expensive components sustain extensive damage. The problem could be related to timing, the camshaft, spark plugs, a bad valve, or other culprits. While you can probably drive the automobile locally to reach our shop, it’s a bad idea to drive long term. That could cause major trouble or even catastrophic engine failure (engine blow up).

Your Local Engine Repair Specialists

U.S. Automotive is home to your team of engine repair specialists. We can accurately diagnose the cause of your engine knock, and the repairs we make are covered by a 36-month/36,000 mile warranty. You can even take advantage of a financing option and the convenience of a loaner car.