Treat Your Car!

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car gifts

With the Holidays now officially in High Gear, people in Kansas and throughout the country are in full-on SHOP MODE, buying gifts for friends, family, coworkers and so on. During the Season of Giving, don’t forget to pick something up for your family vehicle! Here are some gift ideas for your van, truck or car that will make it (and you!) a happy camper this winter: Blind Spot MirrorThese devices are designed to increase the range of your view from your rearview mirrors to more easily spot vehicles in your blind spot. Add these mirrors to your vehicle for an extra safety boost. Emergency KitIf your vehicle isn’t already equipped with one, now is the perfect time to purchase or build an auto emergency kit. Put one together for your own vehicle or for a loved one to keep them …… ( more )

Is it Safe to go on a Road Trip with a Slipping Transmission?

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We do not recommend driving with a slipping transmission. A slipping transmission can be a serious problem.

If you suspect a problem with your vehicle’s transmission, bring it into Nightingale Transmissions for an inspection right away. Without an inspection, you may not know how much danger your vehicle is in on a road trip. We do not recommend driving with a slipping transmission. A slipping transmission can be a serious problem. Signs of a Slipping Transmission You may suspect your vehicle has a slipping transmission if it does not change gears smoothly. You may even hear noises, like a clunk or thud, when the vehicle changes gears. If you notice grinding when changing gears, bring your vehicle in for an inspection. Causes of Transmission Issues A common cause of slipping transmission is low transmission fluid. You can check the fluid level using the dipstick or bring your vehicle into Nightingale Transmissions. If the fluid is low, it likely …… ( more )

What’s Your Favorite Car From a Scary Movie ?

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car

During the Halloween season, thrill lovers gather around the television set to enjoy scary movies! And while you can expect a fair amount of screaming, faux blood, and weapons, have you ever noticed a certain car or cars? Some classic thrillers and mystery movies feature equally thrilling vehicles. Here are a few of our favorites: Alfred Hitchcock’s classic, The Birds, featured spooky flying predators (foul fowl, if you pardon the pun)… but it also featured the heroine’s escape vehicle – an Aston Martin DB 2/4! Who you gonna call? Ghostbusters, naturally. The team of haunt hunting heroes transformed a Cadillac into their ECTO-1. In the movie Christine, the car is the star! A 1958 Plymouth Fury holds the leading role in Stephen King’s thriller. The Car features an evil Lincoln Continental out for blood. This is the one time when …… ( more )

Why You Need A Transmission Flush

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transmission flush

The problem with transmission fluid is that you can’t always tell when it is dirty just by looking at it. Transmission fluid is often a bright red or green color. When you look into the fluid while your car is parked, it may seem clean and clear. But hidden underneath is dust and debris waiting to mix in and flow through your transmission. That’s why you need to have a transmission flush performed every now and then. Just like the motor oil and other fluids in your vehicle, transmission fluid wears down over time. It collects contaminants, breaks down, and needs replaced periodically in order for it to be effective. When the fluid becomes contaminated, it carries the debris through the engine as your car operates. Over time, this can wear down the components in your vehicle, leading to extensive …… ( more )

Safe Driving Tips

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safe driving

Safe driving tips may seem old-fashioned or just for new drivers. Yet by avoiding accidents and tickets, you can keep your insurance rates low, not to mention avoid the costs and headaches of dealing with the aftermath. – Keep your vehicle in good repair. Routine maintenance prevents problems before they start. A poorly maintained vehicle is an accident waiting to happen. – Wear your seat belt! It’s proven that seat belts save lives. Make sure that your children are in proper child seats or booster seats, depending on their age and your local and state laws. – Drive at the speed limit. Speeding is an obvious danger but driving too slowly is also dangerous since cars behind you may not realize until it’s too late that you’re driving well under the speed limit. – Maintain a safe distance between your …… ( more )

Three Ways to Avoid Unwanted Auto Repairs

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It can be a very uncomfortable feeling for most people when they don’t fully understand the recommendations being given out by potentially-unscrupulous auto repair shops. Here are three signs that the repairs you’re being pitched aren’t necessary and the steps you can take to avoid situations like these: #1) The repair shop tries to sell you something that you are certain you don’t need. What To Do: Make sure you understand every repair item that is recommended and take the time to at least try to understand if you do not. A reputable and trustworthy auto repair shop will always take the necessary time to explain, in as much detail as you need, for you to feel comfortable with your decision. If you’re not comfortable with something, insist on having the auto repair shop show you the items they’re recommending …… ( more )

Transmission Flush Is It Really Necessary?

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A transmission flush is one of the more talked about items with customers and there are alot of misconceptions surrounding them. Typical questions include “What Is A Transmission Flush?”, “Why can’t you just top off the transmission fluid?” “Is a flush absolutely necessary?” Just like any other component of a car, you transmission needs regular maintenance in order for it and your car to continue to run smoothly. Here are some facts around what a transmission flush is, what it does and why you may need one. What is a Transmission Flush? This involves connecting your transmission and the fluid in it to a machine which totally flushes the transmission fluid out the of the vehicle using a solution. Once your transmission is clean and void of fluid, the transmission is filled with new clean fluid. Compare this to a …… ( more )

Eight Things To Keep In Your Car Glove Box Compartment

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Road trip with friends? Weekend at the lake? No matter what your plans are this summer, it’s likely that you’ll spend a lot of it in your vehicle driving from all over Kansas and beyond. In addition to your regular year-around car safety must-haves in your car, below is a list of other helpful items every summertime road warrior should find handy.   Spare sunglasses – It’s hard enough to focus on the road during long road trips, but when the blinding sun bears down on your all day through your windows, it can become miserable. Keep a backup pair of sunglasses in your glove box, preferably polarized to help reduce glare. Quarters – Always keep a roll of quarters in your glove box for unexpected tolls, ice cream stops, and parking meters. You never know when you may need …… ( more )

Transmission Fluid FAQ

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What is transmission fluid? Transmission fluid flows inside your transmission. It functions as a lubricant for the moving parts in the system while keeping it cool. Over time, the fluid becomes thick and viscous, no longer able to perform it’s function efficiently. When should I replace it? How often? The manufacturer’s recommended maintenance schedule will tell you when and how often to replace the transmission fluid. Regular transmission flushes help to clean out old, corrosive fluid and replace it with fresh transmission fluid. This helps your transmission perform efficiently and helps prevent damage to the transmission system. Manufacturer recommendations range from every 30,000 to 100,000 miles. Check your owner’s manual, or call our transmission experts at 620.654.3445, to find the service interval for your vehicle. Changing the transmission fluid more frequently does no harm. In fact, fixing it right away at the …… ( more )

Avoid Auto Repair Scams

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We’ve heard from both old and young people in our community who have been ripped off by shady shops. We don’t want this to happen to anyone! Which is why we’re offering 5 tips to avoid auto repair scams. If you don’t understand, ask questions.Qualified and ethical shops, like ours, want you to understand the condition of your vehicle so you can make educated decisions. The advisors should answer any and all of your questions in a clear way you can understand – no technical mumbo jumbo. Avoid cheap parts.Our shop recommends parts based on original manufacturer specifications. Cutting corners with “cheap” parts may save a few dollars now, but can lead to damage, breakdowns, and more repairs over the life of your vehicle. Look for experienced technicians.Cheap prices usually mean cheap parts, cheap labor, or both. Inexperienced technicians do …… ( more )