Avoid Safety Hazards on Wet Roads |  | 
Road Surface Grip: Check Your Car’s Tire Tread Wear and PressureTires with deep tread will handle water on the road; but if your tires are worn and the tread is thin, then you could experience hydroplane where the tires actually ride on a film of water – out of contact with the pavement. This causes a condition that is much like driving on ice or snow covered roads, increasing the likelihood that you’ll lose control or have difficulty stopping . Be sure your tire tread is at least 1/16-inch. Checking tire tread is easy. Using an ordinary penny, insert it between the treads of the tire. You likely have sufficient tread if you cannot see all of Lincoln’s head. Otherwise, you will want to replace the worn tires before doing any driving on wet road surfaces. When you examine your tire’s tread, also check for irregular tread wear patterns which would indicate that either your wheels need to be realigned or your tires need rotation. Having proper air pressure in all your tires is also important, and you should check it frequently. A simple tire pressure gauge stored in your car will let you do that. You’ll get the most accurate reading if your tires are cold, so wait a few hours after they were last driven if possible. Check your vehicle’s owner manual to find out the correct pressure. And don’t forget to check your spare tire! Road Visibility: Check Your Car’s WindshieldMost driving decisions depend upon good visibility. So a windshield free of streaking and smearing – inside and out and on both the driver’s and passenger’s side – is important to your driving safety. It’s important to keep your windshield wiper fluid reservoir full so you’ll never have to worry about whether you can quickly clear your windshield while driving if necessary. Often, the cause of this streaking/smearing is worn windshield wiper blades – something that is simple and quick to correct. Examine your wiper blades frequently for signs of wear and tear. Keep in mind, extremes in temperature as well as frequent use can cause worn blades. Replacement wiper blades are inexpensive and easy to install in just a minute or two. So be sure to change them at the first sign of wearing so you are not caught in a rain storm struggling with poor visibility that will endanger you and your passengers. Here at Broadway Transmission & More in Red Lion, PA, we don’t service tires or windshield wipers, but any of our experienced technicians can refer you to a reliable service provider in the York County, PA area.
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The east coast has had its share of rain recently, and the ice and snow of winter are not far off. So we urge you to take all the precautions possible to avoid the safety hazards that wet roads bring.
Automatic Transmission Fluid: Why is it Important? | |
What is Automatic Transmission Fluid?It is the specially formulated oil within your automatic transmission system that allows the transmission to function. It contains a number of chemical additives that are needed to help the components of your transmission withstand high heat and mechanically stressful operating conditions in your car, truck, SUV or van. What does Auto Transmission Fluid do?This fluid serves several critical purposes in your automobile. It lubricates, cleans and cools the transmission. At the same time, it has function purposes including transmitting pressure and force within the system. Moreover, it continuously protects your vehicle’s transmission by preventing build-up of particles that would eventually bring the transmission to its knees. Automatic Transmission Fluid Maintenance
Here at the Broadway Transmission & More shop, our experienced transmission technicians are ready to answer your questions, provide the best recommendations for your particular car, truck, SUV or van and help you keep your vehicle’s automatic or manual transmission working properly, whether you are located in York or Lancaster counties in PA or Baltimore County, MD. Contact us at your convenience and/or make an appointment for service anytime.
Replacing Your Vehicle is Not Always Wise | |
It’s no secret: Most competent auto technicians advise that the key to keeping vehicles running well today and in the future is routine maintenance. Your certified technician can help you avoid the following conditions which may cause further damage to your car if ignored…
To make this work, however, you must be willing to follow your vehicle’s regular maintenance schedule. It should be outlined in your owner’s manual, or you can certainly ask your local, certified automotive technician. Whether it is regular oil changes, inspection and replacement of tires, belts and hoses as needed, replacing brakes and even service or replacement of your vehicle’s transmission, the service bills you’ll incur are minimal compared to the monthly payments on a new vehicle. It just makes good sense: Maintaining your present vehicle should add to your financial prosperity during this stressful economic time. Your Car’s Safety Depends On the Brakes | |
Detecting a Brake Problemyou will need to be alert to recognize the symptoms of brake problems. For example, if you hear abnormal sounds when you apply the brake, particularly a squealing or grinding noise, then your brakes might be worn to the point that they should be checked. Other warning signs include…
How About Anti-Locking Braking Systems (ABS)?If your car has an anti-lock braking system (ABS) and the ABS light on your instrument panel is illuminated, then your braking system could have an excess accumulation of metal particles resulting from braking. Some vehicles’ ABS systems will automatically shut down if this occurs, leaving you with braking but no antilock brake function to stabilize the car during hard braking.We recommend that you report this to your technician as soon as possible. How to Keep Your Car's Brakes HealthyOnce brakes start to show signs of wear, they will continue to worsen and could eventually fail completely if not handled. So it is important to have your car’s braking system thoroughly inspected by a certified technician sooner rather than later. Typically, the technician would test drive the vehicle to check for potential braking problems and would also check the following:
Prevent Problems With Brake InspectionEven if you are not detecting any of the typical signs of brake wear, it is advisable to have a regular inspection of your braking system done by a certified technician to assure that your brakes are dependable. This service will usually include:
Your certified technician will be able to tell you what type of brakes you have, how they can be adjusted, if/when your brakes should be replaced. If you are having your car’s transmission serviced by the experienced technicians here at Broadway Transmission & More in York County, PA, feel free to consult us also about any braking issues you might have.
Flooded Roads: The Danger to Your Drivetrain | |
We have all heard about the dangers to our safety of we drive through flooded streets. However, it is not just our personal safety that is at risk. Driving through standing water can also damage your vehicle’s drivetrain and engine. What causes the damage?Even a small amount of water entering the vent on your car’s transmission will combine with the transmission fluid, reducing its ability to lubricate and increasing the likelihood of damaged components from overheating. Water can also damage other drivetrain components like transfer cases and differentials. Does this always happen?Of course, it is possible that water did not enter the transmission and no damage will result. However, if there is damage, it will not occur overnight; and the degree of damage depends upon the depth of the water and the distance driven. This might lead you to believe that the drive through high water had no ill effect on your vehicle. What can I do about it?But to be sure to avoid big headaches and expensive repairs in the weeks or months following, you should have your transmission fluid checked by a trusted transmission technician. At a minimum, it will provide you with peace of mind; and it could help you avoid transmission failure. Don’t have a transmission technician on speed dial? Why not contact our shop here in Red Lion, PA? The technicians here at Broadway Transmission and More are well trained and use state-of-the-art equipment to see that your vehicle is properly diagnosed and serviced.
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If you have a vehicle with an automatic transmission, then you should know about automatic transmission fluid.
We are all making sacrifices in the current financial climate, and we’re looking for ways to cut costs. 
When it comes to the safety of your car, truck, SUV or van, there is likely nothing more important than the braking system. As time passes, your car’s brakes suffer wear and tear.
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