Here are a few tips on keeping your car engine and gearbox healthy, whether your car is high or low mileage. Quicksearch Low Mileage Units.
Engine Tips
All cars can have the ability to breakdown, even if your car has high or low mileage. Nothing may last forever; any car will eventually start giving you problems whether low mileage or high. Here at Engineandgearboxes.co.uk, we have the expertise to test engines out prior to sale to ensure you receive the upmost quality. While some cars may provide you with a few hundred thousands miles of trouble free driving, others can break down even when it has done low mileage. Why is this you wonder?
1) Sometimes, problems start after an accident.
2) It could be a factory defect.
3) Design flaw.
4) Driving short trips without letting the engine warm up fully can your car a shorter life.
5) Corrosion – if you park your car for a few months where there is high humidity, later it may have more problems than a vehicle driven on daily basis.
6) Lack of maintenance is one of the most reasons for a car to break down.
So, what is the most important thing to keep your engine in a good shape, is it keeping the mileage low?
1) This is nothing new; a regular oil change is the most important factor to keeping your car in good order. Do it more often than the manufacturer’s suggestion.
2) Avoid overheating the engine.
3) Change the spark plugs, air filter, timing belt and other items from maintenance schedule may save you from costly repairs.
4) Fix any small problem right away before it causes a serious damage.
Checking an Automatic Gearbox.
First, check the fluid level and condition. With the engine idling, and transmission in “Park” (some car may have different procedure, refer to owner’s manual) remove the automatic transmission dipstick and wipe it out with the clean cloth. Then insert it back and pull out again. Check the fluid level, low level may indicate a transmission leak. Look at the fluid very closely. It helps to drip the fluid on a white paper to be able to see fluid condition. The fluid on the paper should be clean and transparent, without any metal filings or black flakes. New fluid usually comes red. Over the time after use it becomes more brownish, but it shouldn’t be black. Try to smell the fluid, it should not have a burnt smell. Keep in mind, however, that some modern cars simply don’t have the transmission dipstick and require special procedure performed in a garage to check the fluid level.
Checking Manual Gearboxes.
Now, (with caution – safety first!), shift the transmission lever into neutral. Apply the parking brake. With the engine idling, press the clutch pedal all the way, hold it down, and listen for noises. Then release the pedal and listen for noises again. There should be no loud noises at either position. Try to drive the vehicle at different speeds in all gears, one by one. Every gear should shift smoothly and easily without any noises or jerks. While driving at the second or third gear, try to press down sharply on the accelerator pedal for an instance. The clutch should not slip. If you feel any slipping (e.g. the engine rpm increases but the speed remains the same), the clutch most likely needs to be replaced. Try to drive with acceleration and deceleration – there should be no grinding, whining or humming noise under any condition. All the gears should shift easily and noiselessly.
Find out more about our Reconditioned Units here.
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