Preventative maintenance is important for keeping your vehicle safely on the road, but just as important is safe driving practices! Every day, about 100 people die in car crashes, and 90% of all crashes are caused by driver error. Being distracted behind the wheel is dangerous, to yourself, your vehicle, and others. So put down that tube of lipstick and lock up your cell phone. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the top 10 distractions to drivers are: 1. Cell phones – Wireless devices are the number one culprit for distracted driving. Over 25% of all crashes involve cell phone use. From phone calls to texts, smart phones to tablets, these devices are a hazard. 2. Passengers – Talking to or interacting with passengers can pull your focus, especially young children. Ask your passengers to respect your role …… ( more )

Cold weather can cause problems for your vehicle, especially your transmission. Problems that you may not have noticed during the summer can start showing themselves as the temperatures drop across Kansas. If your transmission starts slipping when it’s cold outside, it could be a sign of a few problems. Low Transmission Fluid. Transmission fluid acts as a lubricant inside the transmission. If there is a leak or the levels are too low, the transmission can slip as a result. Because oil expands when it is warm, you may have been able to get by without problems during the summer. You should not simply top off the transmission fluid when it is low. Doing so could mask a leak. A fluid top off may temporarily solve the problem, but it leaves you at risk for problems down the road if the …… ( more )

Late-December usually has several of the busiest travel days of the year. When you add that level of traffic volume with the element of unpredictable weather/road conditions like we tend to get here in Kansas, your holiday trips can get stressful in a hurry. Before you embark upon your holiday trek this year, it’s a good idea to have your vehicle inspected by an ASE-certified technician to ensure it’s running at an optimal level and you won’t encounter any unexpected/unwanted breakdowns while you’re on the road. Once you’ve taken care of that, here are some tips on how to avoid, or at least better negotiate, traffic the next little while: Plan Ahead. If your holiday plans can be flexible, take advantage of that flexibility and avoid the busier days and the busiest times for traffic congestion. Rush hour is typically …… ( more )

The transmission is one of the most important parts of your vehicle, keeping you running smoothly on the roads in Kansas. When something goes wrong, it is often frustrating and expensive. Ignoring or missing a warning sign for transmission problems can lead to significant damage and costly repairs. As you drive on the roads in Galva, pay attention to subtle (yet obvious) changes to your vehicle’s performance. These are signs that tell you it’s time to bring your vehicle into Nightingale Transmissions for an inspection or service. Look for these warning signs of transmission problems: Shifting delay. When your vehicle takes too long between gears, it may indicate an issue with the transmission. This will often happen shifting from neutral to reverse or drive gears. The car should adjust and catch the gear nearly immediately. If not, stop into our …… ( more )

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 )

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 engine. 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 damage, transmission failure, and expensive repairs. A Transmission flush will clear all this contaminates …… ( more )

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 )

The automatic transmission is perhaps the most complicated part in a vehicle—and the second most expensive to replace, next to an engine. Here are some thoughts to keep in mind when it comes to your transmission maintenance from Nightingale Transmissions: What Causes Transmission Problems? At their core, transmission problems stem from overheating. This can occur when towing a heavy load, rocking the vehicle in the snow, having continuous stop-and-go traffic in hot weather, and other activities that make the transmission’s work more difficult. At these higher temperatures, the transmission fluid loses its lubricating qualities, which will eventually result in premature failure—and an expensive repair or replacement! Ways to Prevent Damage. What’s the good news in all this? Well, taking care of your transmission isn’t difficult at all. In fact, just taking a few extra steps can go a long way …… ( more )

When it comes to cars, engines get all the attention and praise but it’s really your transmission that takes that energy and puts the wheels in motion. An angry transmission can mean major, costly repairs that will put a damper on your summer plans. Let’s look at the 5 Secrets of a Contented Transmission: 1. Check your Transmission every 1,000 miles if you drive an automatic or 3,000 miles for manuals. Find your transmission fluid dipstick using your owner’s manual. Remove the dipstick, wipe it clean with a rag or towel, then reinsert and remove it again. You’re checking for correct levels, color and smell. Levels will be indicated by marking on the dipstick. Low fluid levels can indicate seal leakage or even malfunctions in your transmission. If you drive an automatic, your transmission fluid should be bright red; if …… ( more )

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 )