September marks the beginning of a new school year and, while students are getting acquainted with their new classmates, a new crop of teen drivers will be on the road in Galva. Early mornings, school buses, kids dashing through parking lots, and fall weather can provide plenty of challenges for a new driver… Luckily, our team at Nightingale Transmissions has some driving tips for beginners: Get enough sleep – Drowsy driving can be just as dangerous as intoxicated driving and, if you’re a night owl, getting up early can make a commute to school all the more challenging. Make sure to unwind and disconnect from video games, texting, web surfing or movies before you fall asleep. You’ll be better rested in the morning. Remember, if you are too tired, don’t drive. Watch out for school buses – It’s illegal in …… ( more )

Your vehicle’s transmission is tasked with keeping your engine running smoothly, properly distributing power to various components in a perfectly-synced manner. If your transmission fails, your engine will follow suit and you’ll be dealing with a breakdown. In order to avoid this precarious situation, you should be cognizant of your transmission’s health and be on the lookout for the following warning signs that the component might be in danger of failure in the near future: Noises when shifting gears. Any noise – rattles, hums, clunks, etc. – coming from your engine should be worrisome. Grinding sounds are the one to really be concerned with in terms of your transmission though. If you hear these types of noises when you shift gears be sure to have your transmission inspected ASAP. Leaking fluid. Your transmission’s fluid enables all of its moving parts …… ( more )

Let’s face it – flat tires happen. No matter how careful you may be, any car can succumb to an unexpected flat. But you can be prepared! Car manufacturers have made the tire change process simple so that virtually anyone can do it. And with our guide, you can be confident in your ability to change a flat tire! Before you head out for a long drive, or even your regular commute, check your spare tire. Flat tires can’t be replaced with flat spares! You can also look at your tires – if you see any worn spots or skimpy tread, invest in new tires. You can even stop by our shop for a full inspection before any big road trips! But even the most prepared drivers can encounter unexpected flats – not to fear! With this guide, you will …… ( more )

Regular maintenance on your car can be a hassle. But ignoring signs like leaking fluids, grinding, or shaking can mean bad news for your transmission, and nobody wants to get stuck on the side of the road with a smoking engine. Finding a trustworthy transmission repair center in McPherson County is half the battle. When you feel comfortable bringing your car in to get checked out, the more relief you’ll have on the road — and your bank account. Let’s say you’re on your way home from a long day on the job. All you want to do is pull in the driveway, enjoy a nice dinner with your family, and lounge around before you have to do it all over again. You shift into autopilot, cruising down the road just as you’ve done countless times before. But maybe the …… ( more )

Sometimes it’s hard to leave home and remember everything that we may need. Whether you are an avid road-tripper or just enjoy a nice Sunday drive every now and then, a stocked emergency road kit can be invaluable. Below is a list of must-haves to keep in your car, especially if you’ll be traveling off main roads or know there is severe weather coming: Flat tire kit or tire-puncture sealant – While the toolkit can fix a flat in a jiffy, spraying some tire sealant on a minor flat can help you make it safely to a mechanic. Road flares – Invaluable in case of emergency or trouble to flag other motorists down. Flashlight – A dependable and weatherproof flashlight will ensure that you at least have light during any kind of problems or disasters. Also, don’t forget extra batteries! …… ( more )

Whether the beautiful spring weather has you thinking about nature or Earth Day 2019 has inspired you to give back, it is easy to “go green” with your vehicle this spring! In a few easy steps, you can practice greener driving and car maintenance to help the environment, your car, and your wallet! Before you drive, you can do a few quick checks for a greener car: Remove any excess weight from your car. Having extra junk in your car weighs it down – get rid of it to increase your fuel economy! Check your tires. Low tire pressure means more of the tire contacts the road, increasing resistance and making the engine work harder to drive the car. When you stop for gas, don’t overfill your tank. Stop when the pump turns off – the gas needs room to …… ( more )

When saving money, your vehicle isn’t something to overlook — especially when it comes to filling up. Here are a gas saving few tips to make those trips to the pump a little less frequent: Properly Inflated Tires: If your tires aren’t in tip-top shape, you’re wasting around $2 every fill up. In fact, improperly inflated tires account for around 35 million gallons of wasted gas per year. It’s a good idea to have a tire gauge handy to check the air pressure in your tires. Knowing when to service them will save you money every time you fill up. Using Correct Motor Oil Grade: The packaging on many oil cartons look similar. And if you’re not careful, or if you take your vehicle to a quick oil change place, you might be stuck with the wrong kind. So check …… ( more )

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 )