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.
As time passes, systems and components will wear out due to age or damage, affecting vehicle performance. As your Mazda dealership, we'd like you to know a few signs you need to visit us for Mazda maintenance. more 3 Signs You Need To Visit Your Mazda Dealership for Mazda Maintenance Screeching or Grinding Brakes Healthy brakes don't make any sound when they work. If you hear screeching or grinding noises each time you hit the brakes, your brake pads need replacement. The brake pads fit into the calipers, and when you hit the brakes, the calipers are forced against the wheel rotors. Each pad has a material covering that generates friction against its rotor, and this friction forces it to stop. The friction material covering gradually wears down, revealing a spike inside the pad. The spike scratches against the rotor, producing a screeching noise as a warning the pad needs replacement. If the pad isn't replaced, the coating will wear off, and the metal under the covering will scour the rotor surface, producing a grinding noise. We can replace your pads within minutes and repair any rotor damage. Starting Problems When you hit the start button, your Mazda engine should come to life within seconds. If your engine struggles to start, the most common cause is a weak battery. Starting problems can also be caused by a worn starter or a failing alternator. These three components work together to start your vehicle. The starter cranks the engine, the battery provides the electricity to power the starter, and the alternator ensures the battery always has sufficient charge. The battery steadily weakens as time passes, as the chemicals that allow it to store electricity break down. The alternator has a longer lifespan but produces less electricity as it ages, reducing battery recharging. The starter solenoid can fail, preventing the starter from receiving the electrical charge needed to crank the engine. Our technicians will repair or replace the damaged component. Low Tire Pressure Your Mazda has a Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) that uses sensors to monitor the pressure in each tire. Tire pressure can drop due to a leak or changes in the external air pressure. On average, tires will lose 1 to 2 PSI monthly as the pressure inside them equalizes with the outside air. Low tire pressure causes the tire sidewalls to droop, exposing them to damage from surface friction. Underinflated tires produce more resistance, which increases braking distance and decreases braking efficiency. You'll also use more fuel due to the increased drag caused by this resistance. We'll correct your tire pressure and check if the tires are damaged and need replacement. If your Mazda isn't working as perfectly as it should, contact us today at Bommarito Mazda West County in Ellisville, MO.
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.
