3 Signs Your Mazda Needs Maintenance

Transmission problems can be troublesome, but there's very little a transmission service from your local Mazda dealership can't fix. Whether you have a low transmission fluid level or need your transmission fully rebuilt, our technicians are ready to take on the job. more 6 Signs Your Mazda Needs a Transmission Service From Your Mazda Dealership in Ellisville, MO 1. The Car Is Refusing to Switch Gears If your vehicle can't shift gears, then you might have dirt in your transmission fluid. A low transmission fluid can also cause this issue. Make sure you check your owner's manual and see how frequently it recommends visiting the dealership for a transmission flush so you can try to prevent this from happening. 2. The Car Has a Burning Smell Any kind of burning smell produced by or present in your car is concerning. There are many issues that can cause this aroma to arise, including overheated transmission fluid. The fluid is supposed to have a tart or sweet smell, but it can smell like it's burning if it's overheating. Overheating transmission fluid can't protect your car adequately, so the problem needs to be addressed promptly. 3. The Car Is Slipping Gears Timing is one of the most important parts of gear shifts. If the car doesn't shift at the right time, then the engine might rev too much when accelerating, and gear shifts might feel harsh while decelerating. This can make it feel like it's difficult to control your vehicle. 4. The Car Is Getting Loud in Neutral If your car starts making any new or loud noises at any point, then it's a sign to get it checked out. Noises that may occur when your transmission needs some attention include grinding and bumping sounds that happen while the car is in neutral. This can happen when your vehicle has low transmission fluid, but it can also happen because there's a more serious issue present. 5. The Car Is Shifting Roughly If your car is jolting, shaking, kicking, or grinding during gear shifts, then your vehicle needs a checkup. Any kind of new vibrations that occur while you're vehicle is shifting gears let you know there's something not quite right. 6. The Car Is Leaking Fluid Fluid leaks are typically easy to identify because you'll spot a pool of liquid near or under your car. When your transmission fluid is leaking, the fluid will probably be bright red, but it may be brown or close to black if it's contaminated or old. Come to Bommarito Mazda West County in Ellisville, MO, for all your transmission repair needs. We can also work on any other faulty component in your car.

Worn or damaged tires make driving stressful and dangerous because they increase your braking distance, potentially resulting in a blowout or a leak. As your West County Mazda dealership, we're here to bring awareness to tire health. Here's a few signs you need to visit us for new tires: more Sidewall Damage The tire sidewall is the section of the tire that's perpendicular to the road surface. it's made from a thinner and softer rubber than the tread, and it also lacks the tread's metal and polymer reinforcement. The softer rubber provides increased flexibility, but it also makes it more prone to potential damage. The sidewalls can become damaged by sharp objects like stones, nails, or other small debris thrown up from the road. A small leak in the sidewall can be difficult to spot, but it will cause the tire pressure to drop. If the pressure drops low enough, the tire will sag, exposing part of the sidewall to friction with the surface. The sidewall will suffer increased damage due to the lack of reinforcement, and your tire can fail. We'll examine your tires and repair them if possible. If a tire is severely damaged, we'll install a replacement. Overinflated Tires Overinflation is just as damaging to a tire as underinflation. Your tires have a set pressure, and the correct pressure is determined during your vehicle's design process. As you drive, friction with the surface causes the air inside a tire to heat up, increasing the tire's internal pressure. When your vehicle is at rest, the air will cool, and the tire pressure will return to normal. An overinflated tire has too much air, and this causes the tire rubber to stretch thinner than it should. The increased internal pressure when the excess air heats up, combined with the stretched rubber, makes a blowout more likely. This is a dangerous situation, particularly if a blowout happens when you're driving at high speed. We can easily correct your tire pressure, and we'll check the tire for damage. Tread Wear Bars Tread wear bars are raised rubber sections that are built into your tires. They run perpendicular to the tread and are almost invisible when your tread is in good condition. As your tread wears down, the wear bars will become more prominent and need to be monitored. You can get a rough idea of your tire condition by running your finger over the tread and wear bars. If the wear bars are lower than the tread, your tire is still in good condition. If you feel the wear bars are level with the tread, your tires are worn and will need replacement. We'll check your tires to confirm this diagnosis and replace and balance them if they're damaged. If your tires are worn, we encourage you to visit us today at Bommarito Mazda West County in Ellisville, MO.

Image via Shutterstock A car's battery plays a vital role in starting the engine and powering essential electronics. As batteries age, their ability to hold a charge diminishes over time, which can negatively impact your vehicle's performance and reliability. If you notice any of the following signs, it may be time for a new car battery from your local Mazda dealer. more 1. Slow Cranking One of the early signs of a weak battery is the engine taking longer than normal to turn over when starting. A good battery should crank the engine swiftly. Slow cranking means it's not supplying optimum power to the starter motor. 2. Dim Lights Over time, headlights, taillights, and dash lights may seem dimmer than before when switched on. This can indicate the battery is struggling to provide full voltage and brightness to lighting systems. 3. Strange Electrical Problems Beyond lighting issues, wavering power to other parts like the radio, windows, and mirrors may point to an aging battery that isn't maintaining stable current flow. Intermittent glitches could worsen and cause increasingly unpredictable problems on the road. 4. Shorter Than Normal Start Times Over multiple years, batteries steadily lose the capacity to hold a charge. You'll likely find your Mazda needs longer cranking periods each time before turning over. This is a sign the battery isn't storing enough reserve power for easy, reliable starting. 5. Battery Over 3 Years Old The typical lifespan of an automotive battery is 3-5 years. Even if there are no noticeable issues, after 3 years, its ability to perform is often compromised. Rather than risking sudden failure, consider proactively replacing batteries this old or older. 6. White/Green Deposits on Terminals Corrosion buildup at battery terminals in the form of white or green deposits indicates acid leaks from the battery that is in the process of failing. Corrosion prevents a good connection and power transfer, which can cause start issues. 7. Cold Weather Sensitivity Cold temperatures place extra demands on batteries and make underlying issues worse. If your Mazda has a hard time starting in winter, even with the proper maintenance, like testing and charging, the battery may have reached the end of its service life. 8. Professional Diagnosis The best way to confirm if your battery truly needs replacing is through a load test by an expert. Your local Mazda dealer can accurately diagnose battery health and install a new, high-quality replacement if required. 9. Battery is Leaking Fluid If battery overflow components are corroded or fluid is leaking from cracks, it's reached the end of its life expectancy and needs to be replaced. Don't wait until your battery has totally died to consider a replacement. Visit us today at Bommarito Mazda West County in Ellisville, MO, for an expert battery evaluation and an affordable new battery if needed. We promise professional service for all your Mazda battery needs.