As you stock up on sunscreen and prep for fun in the sun, Mr. Transmission Milex Complete Auto Care has a handy list of road trip tips to follow to stay safe this summer. And we’re here to make sure your car is ready for high temperatures.   Road Trip Tips Memorial Day weekend kicks off the summer season as schools let out for summer and workloads lighten. At least 44% of people plan to travel more than once this summer, and 79% are gearing up to take a road trip, according to a survey conducted by The Vacationer, a vacation resource.   Road trips can be an exciting and memorable experience, but they can quickly become a nightmare if you aren’t prepared. Whether you're planning a short weekend getaway or a cross-country adventure, you should do a few things to prepare for the trip and travel safel ... read more

Is one of your dashboard lights on but you are not sure what is wrong with your vehicle? Bring your vehicle to your local Mr. Transmission Milex Complete Auto Care for our Computer Diagnostic Service.   What is Computer Diagnostics?Computer Diagnostics is when our mechanics connect our state-of-the-art equipment to your vehicle to scan your vehicle’s computer to help find any internal issues that are happening within your car. A car diagnostic can tell a mechanic information about different parts of the vehicle such as: ignition timing issues, fuel injector performance, engine rpm levels, levels of buildup in the combustion engine, air and coolant temperature, whether the ignition coils are firing, and more. Once the diagnostic test is completed, the computer codes each data point that needs to be fixed, so that mechanics can look at a specific area of your vehicle for the possible problem. Com ... read more

The start of summer is fast approaching, and Milex Complete Auto Care can help you have fun in the sun by getting your car ready for warmer temperatures. Warm weather, hot roads, long car trips, and humidity can damage your vehicle if it isn’t prepared to take the heat. Temperatures this summer are predicted to soar across much of the country, Weather.com reported. While the northeast will be cooler than last year, the northern and central Rockies into the northern and central Plains will be particularly sweltering. Hot temperatures aren’t preventing Americans from hitting the road for vacations. Americans were forecasted to take 700 million trips last summer, according to research by the American Automobile Association. Although that number was down nea ... read more

If you head out to start your morning commute and your car refuses to reverse out of the garage, Mr. Transmission has the solution to get your day moving in the right direction again.   Putting your car in reverse to back out of a parking space is something we do every day without much thought. When your car decides backing up is for the birds, it can be a shock and a major inconvenience. If your car refuses to back up, the likely culprit is a problem with your transmission. The transmission is your car’s gearbox. The modern car transmission is made up of five or six gear sets that control the amount of power the car has without impacting the speed. Changing gears at the correct time improves fuel consumption and ensures your engine does not get strained while you are driving.   In cars with automatic transmissions, a built-in torque converter will automatically shift gears and transfer power to the wheels to enable acceleration. Drivers with manual transmissions ch ... read more

If you have ever been driving around town and noticed the sensation of your car shaking, there are some steps you can take before making a pit stop at a repair shop.   Your car requires a lot of parts to run efficiently. A single car has more than 30,000 parts, and it’s normal for some parts to wear down over time. Regular maintenance is key to ensuring your car runs smoothly and gets you from Point A to Point B. Many experts recommend getting your vehicle serviced every six months but use the owner’s manual in your car as a guide, according to the American Automobile Association.   Shaking is often one of the first clues that your car requires attention. However, there are a wide variety of reasons your car could be shakin ... read more

What People Should Know About Brake Systems   Brakes are the unsung hero of the car. Stepping on the accelerator and moving down the road is the fun part and gets all the glory, but even more important is the ability to stop or slow down. Effective braking is something we take for granted—until it’s too late. Thankfully, brakes are good about giving warning signs when they are wearing, indicating that it’s time for a refresh. Understanding how different types of braking systems work is a good foundation for knowing when it’s time. Each braking system comprises different parts that work together to brake safely.   How Do Braking Systems Work? When you press the brake pedal, you activate a cylinder, which sends brake fluid to your brake calipers, to engage your brake pads. The brake pads apply pressure to your rotors. The resulting friction is what slows ... read more

The Importance of Changing Transmission Fluid The transmission is one of the key components of a car’s engine. Whether automatic or manual, the transmission’s important duty is for shifting gears, giving the engine power and the appropriate level to drive at a given speed. An automatic transmission shifts automatically for you as you accelerate or de-accelerate, while a manual transmission relies on the driver to shift. Because of its integral role in the operation of your vehicle, replacing or repairing a transmission is an expensive proposition. To avoid finding yourself on the bad end of a big bill, changing the transmission at appropriate intervals is essential.   What is Transmission Fluid? Transmission fluid is, in part, a lubricant that makes the parts inside your transmission move smoothly. If you have an au ... read more

Summer of Gridlock: More Driving Around Town Means More Wear and Tear Many aspects of American society are re-opening. Droves of workers are returning from working remotely to working in offices or at job sites. People are taking vacations and visiting family and friends. But many of those people who are out and about again to commute to work are avoiding mass transportation, and the impact of that is substantial in many ways. Traffic expert and former New York City Traffic Commissioner Sam Schwartz—who coined the term “gridlock”—predicts an unprecedented level of traffic. Significant numbers of commuters in metro areas will choose to drive instead of take buses and trains where they could be too close for comfort with other passengers. Gas prices are low right now, adding addi ... read more

Preparing Cars for a Summer Road Trip Now that summer is here, many people are finalizing their plans for a vacation.  Whether it be a trip to a beach, mountains, campsite or visiting family, people are planning a getaway from the cabin fever that has gripped the country. Even as much of America has “re-opened,” travelers are wise to exercise a high level of care and safety. You may be wary of air travel and opt instead to drive to your destination. Even absent a pandemic, being in the confined space of an airplane with many people emitting many different germs and viruses is an easy way to catch something unpleasant at best and dangerous at worst. It Just Makes Sense If you are opting to drive, you’re not alone. A recent survey by the Out of Home Advertising Association of America (OAAA), r ... read more

What Happens If I Don’t Drive My Car? If you haven’t been driving your car as much recently, you’re not alone. A large majority of Americans have been under “stay at home” restrictions for several weeks, and a majority support the orders continuing for the near future to fight the spread of COVID-19. While people are staying at home, the “need” to drive a vehicle has evaporated for more people who aren’t employees of an essential business. However, just because you’re supposed to stay home, doesn’t mean that your vehicle should be left in your garage or driveway for days, if not weeks, without moving. Driving your car for several miles is a great way to keep it healthy and running well. A short drive will wake up all aspects of your vehicle, including the engine, brakes ... read more