Wallpaper* and Volvo have come together to take you deep into the heart of the Swedish design story. Our series of four short films present a visual journey through the country's best architecture, design and visual culture, as well as the very best of Volvo, past, present and future.
Thursday, October 30, 2014
The Journey Begins - Volvo
Wallpaper* and Volvo have come together to take you deep into the heart of the Swedish design story. Our series of four short films present a visual journey through the country's best architecture, design and visual culture, as well as the very best of Volvo, past, present and future.
Monday, October 27, 2014
Transmission Diagnostics And Repair: Why Is It So Important?
Your car is your lifeline. You use it to get to work, the grocery
store, the kids' schools, and all the other places that your busy life
needs requires visiting. If your car is damaged or otherwise in trouble,
it can set you back both financially and personally, requiring costly
repairs and leaving you out of luck with no way to get to where you need
to go. That's why it's so important to react quickly when you notice
that there is something wrong with your car. Like an injury to your own
body, if you ignore car troubles, they are just going to get worse.
Immediate treatment can save you valuable time and money, and can also give you the peace of mind that comes with a car in good repair.
Your car's transmission is, as the name suggests, the series of parts that transmits power from the engine, including speed change and control. In many ways, the transmission is the heart of your car, and as one of the most essential pieces, you should treat it that way! Transmission trouble can be dangerous, expensive and sudden, but you need not go through that. Diagnostics are important for multiple reasons, and they can prevent the crisis that results from major car damage.
Problematic Transmissions Can Cause a Chain Reaction
Remember, if something changes in your car or if something goes wrong, no matter how small, it could be a symptom of something much bigger and more dangerous. Damaged transmissions can have effects on the rest of the car, too. Since it is such a central piece of the car's inner workings, damage to it can damage the rest of the parts it affects, including the engine itself. It can also affect the differentials of the car - the spin of the wheels, which affects the car's drivability and safety in many aspects (think turning corners or controlling the car on uneven terrain). A damaged transmission is a liability to the car as a whole.
Because the transmission is so important, it is particularly crucial that you pursue a diagnostic test to get to the root of the problem should you suspect any issues or irregularities. The diagnostic will consist of a professional examination of your transmission with a report of any issues and an estimate of how much the repair will cost, and it's a great and convenient way to avoid worse problems in the future by consulting with a mechanic you can trust.
Professionals, with their years of training and experience, are best suited to the diagnostic process, which will inspect your transmission for faults and damage. This is applicable whether you have a manual transmission or an automatic one, and whether your car is American or an import. If you neglect the problems, they can become much worse, but having a diagnostic assessment performed can keep your repairs as inexpensive and simple as possible - and simple, inexpensive repairs means that you can get on with your life that much faster.
Immediate treatment can save you valuable time and money, and can also give you the peace of mind that comes with a car in good repair.
Your car's transmission is, as the name suggests, the series of parts that transmits power from the engine, including speed change and control. In many ways, the transmission is the heart of your car, and as one of the most essential pieces, you should treat it that way! Transmission trouble can be dangerous, expensive and sudden, but you need not go through that. Diagnostics are important for multiple reasons, and they can prevent the crisis that results from major car damage.
Problematic Transmissions Can Cause a Chain Reaction
Remember, if something changes in your car or if something goes wrong, no matter how small, it could be a symptom of something much bigger and more dangerous. Damaged transmissions can have effects on the rest of the car, too. Since it is such a central piece of the car's inner workings, damage to it can damage the rest of the parts it affects, including the engine itself. It can also affect the differentials of the car - the spin of the wheels, which affects the car's drivability and safety in many aspects (think turning corners or controlling the car on uneven terrain). A damaged transmission is a liability to the car as a whole.
Because the transmission is so important, it is particularly crucial that you pursue a diagnostic test to get to the root of the problem should you suspect any issues or irregularities. The diagnostic will consist of a professional examination of your transmission with a report of any issues and an estimate of how much the repair will cost, and it's a great and convenient way to avoid worse problems in the future by consulting with a mechanic you can trust.
Professionals, with their years of training and experience, are best suited to the diagnostic process, which will inspect your transmission for faults and damage. This is applicable whether you have a manual transmission or an automatic one, and whether your car is American or an import. If you neglect the problems, they can become much worse, but having a diagnostic assessment performed can keep your repairs as inexpensive and simple as possible - and simple, inexpensive repairs means that you can get on with your life that much faster.
If you live in Sarasota, Florida and are having transmission problems, bring your vehicle to Ralph's Transmissions or the best diagnostic and repair service available.
Friday, October 24, 2014
The Only BMW 507 Boat Appeared Again.
What a story. It was an experiment in the late 50s to make a speedboat with a BMW 507 engine and design. A unique beauty. But then the boat disappeared for decades, until a young guy heard of the boad, found and restored it.
The BMW 507 is a very rare BMW roadster, only around 250 cars have been produced in the 1950s. And this is the only BMW 507 boat.
Tuesday, October 21, 2014
How to Take Proper Care of Your Transmission
You probably already know that the automatic transmission of your
car is one of the most critical components that keeps your vehicle
moving forward. And something as intricate as that needs proper
maintenance in order for it to keep going for the long haul. Automatic
transmissions are a little more complex than its manual counterparts so
it needs a little more care than one might expect.
As you should already know automatics rely heavily on transmission fluid in order to keep it running strong. The fluid is critical in that it lubricates and cools the many various components that lie within your vehicle and it is important to maintain that fluid at a reasonable consistency. Old, dirty fluid can cause a number of problems including slipping gears, loss of acceleration, and of course failure. The last thing you want to have is a transmission failure that can cost a whole heap of money to repair let alone replace. The biggest reason why transmissions fail or develop problems is because owners forget to maintain it on a regular basis.
Heat is your worst enemy. Heat is the main cause for short car lifespans and I will explain why. Transmissions rely on fluid to keep it running smoothly. As I have said fluid is what lubricates and cools the many parts in your car. The harder your transmission works the more heat it produces and the more heat it is exposed to causes it to eventually develop problems. When fluid temperatures rise above 215 degrees Fahrenheit varnish forms; higher and seals harden, plates slip, seals and plates burn out, and carbon forms. If fluid temperature rises above 315 degrees Fahrenheit than expect your car to last less than 800 miles. If kept at 175 degrees Fahrenheit than your car will be able to drive over 100,000 miles. See how much difference that makes? Even a 20 degree drop from 220 to 200 degrees in fluid temperature can double the lifespan of your transmission! So of course this is why fluid is critical to the health of your transmission.
Probably one of the most common and most effective ways in prolonging your transmission is by getting a fluid change as recommended by the car manufacturer. Most automotive experts suggest getting a fluid change every 30,000 miles or 2 years, whichever comes first. It really all depends on your driving habits and the type of fluid used though. A fluid change can be done by yourself but it is recommended that you take it into a repair shop where the technicians are knowledgeable in car maintenance. The service is quite simple and consists of dropping the pan to remove the old fluid as well as to inspect for contaminants. The filter gets changed accordingly and fluid is then added to the proper levels. The main reason why you want to bring it into a repair shop is because the technicians will know if there is a problem with the transmission by looking at the old fluid. However a fluid change does not insure that ALL of the old fluid is removed. A lot of fluid can still remain in cooler lines and the torque converter which is why the next method explained is generally a better option.
Another common car maintenance routine is to get a transmission flush. A transmission flush is where all the fluid is removed and the system gets thoroughly cleaned. The process involves connecting a pump to the cooler lines to remove all the old fluid. New fluid is then replaced at the same time so that the old fluid is not able to contaminate the new fluid. A flush is much more effective than a change because ALL of the old fluid is replaced. This allows the new fluid to do a much better job at cooling and lubricating the transmission. Costs for a flush can run a little higher than a fluid change but many say it is well worth it for how much it helps to extend the life of the tranny.
If you are not sure how long or how many miles it has been since you have had a fluid change or a flush then a good way to know when to get your car serviced is by checking the fluid. Automotive experts recommend checking the fluid level and condition every month regardless of whether you are experiencing problems or not. You can find many detailed tutorials online about how to check the fluid but I will give you a quick synopsis about how it is done.
The process goes something like this. For most makes and models the car needs to be running in order to get accurate results. Usually the car is taken for a drive in order to warm up the engine and fluids. Transmission fluid actually expands quite a bit when it is warmed up so checking the fluid while the car is cold can have misleading results. Once the car is warmed up it should be put in park or neutral on a level surface and then the hood needs to be popped. Most cars have a fluid dipstick near the transmission; you can find where it is located in the owner manual. After you have found the dipstick you will want to remove it and wipe it on a clear paper towel or a rag of some kind. This will be where the color and condition is inspected. Normally fluid should be a bright, clear red. A dark red or light brown are okay colors if the fluid has been used for some time but darker colors can mean it needs to be serviced, especially if it is a dark brown. Colors closer to black may mean that your transmission has a problem. Also if the fluid smells burnt then this can also mean that it has problems. If there are metal shavings or large particles floating about then that may mean that the filter has failed to do its job or it may mean bigger problems. To check whether the fluid has oxidized wipe some of it on a paper towel, if it does not spread then this means it has oxidized. If the fluid shows any of those symptoms - dark colors such as brown or black, a burnt smell, large particles or metal shavings, or fluid oxidation -- then it means your car needs to be taken in to be serviced. If everything seems okay then at this point you will want to check the fluid levels. Simply re-insert the dipstick after wiping it down and then remove it again. The fluid should be somewhere between the two marks. If it is below the second mark then you will want to add the specified transmission fluid suggested in the owner manual in small quantities, checking periodically until the levels reach in between the two marks.
If you stay on top of maintenance procedures then your car will last much longer than average. It is vital to take care of your car unless you want to face expensive repairs or the purchase of an entirely new car later on. Be sure to properly maintain your car on a regular basis because it works tirelessly for you, the least you can do is to keep it in good running condition.
As you should already know automatics rely heavily on transmission fluid in order to keep it running strong. The fluid is critical in that it lubricates and cools the many various components that lie within your vehicle and it is important to maintain that fluid at a reasonable consistency. Old, dirty fluid can cause a number of problems including slipping gears, loss of acceleration, and of course failure. The last thing you want to have is a transmission failure that can cost a whole heap of money to repair let alone replace. The biggest reason why transmissions fail or develop problems is because owners forget to maintain it on a regular basis.
Heat is your worst enemy. Heat is the main cause for short car lifespans and I will explain why. Transmissions rely on fluid to keep it running smoothly. As I have said fluid is what lubricates and cools the many parts in your car. The harder your transmission works the more heat it produces and the more heat it is exposed to causes it to eventually develop problems. When fluid temperatures rise above 215 degrees Fahrenheit varnish forms; higher and seals harden, plates slip, seals and plates burn out, and carbon forms. If fluid temperature rises above 315 degrees Fahrenheit than expect your car to last less than 800 miles. If kept at 175 degrees Fahrenheit than your car will be able to drive over 100,000 miles. See how much difference that makes? Even a 20 degree drop from 220 to 200 degrees in fluid temperature can double the lifespan of your transmission! So of course this is why fluid is critical to the health of your transmission.
Probably one of the most common and most effective ways in prolonging your transmission is by getting a fluid change as recommended by the car manufacturer. Most automotive experts suggest getting a fluid change every 30,000 miles or 2 years, whichever comes first. It really all depends on your driving habits and the type of fluid used though. A fluid change can be done by yourself but it is recommended that you take it into a repair shop where the technicians are knowledgeable in car maintenance. The service is quite simple and consists of dropping the pan to remove the old fluid as well as to inspect for contaminants. The filter gets changed accordingly and fluid is then added to the proper levels. The main reason why you want to bring it into a repair shop is because the technicians will know if there is a problem with the transmission by looking at the old fluid. However a fluid change does not insure that ALL of the old fluid is removed. A lot of fluid can still remain in cooler lines and the torque converter which is why the next method explained is generally a better option.
Another common car maintenance routine is to get a transmission flush. A transmission flush is where all the fluid is removed and the system gets thoroughly cleaned. The process involves connecting a pump to the cooler lines to remove all the old fluid. New fluid is then replaced at the same time so that the old fluid is not able to contaminate the new fluid. A flush is much more effective than a change because ALL of the old fluid is replaced. This allows the new fluid to do a much better job at cooling and lubricating the transmission. Costs for a flush can run a little higher than a fluid change but many say it is well worth it for how much it helps to extend the life of the tranny.
If you are not sure how long or how many miles it has been since you have had a fluid change or a flush then a good way to know when to get your car serviced is by checking the fluid. Automotive experts recommend checking the fluid level and condition every month regardless of whether you are experiencing problems or not. You can find many detailed tutorials online about how to check the fluid but I will give you a quick synopsis about how it is done.
The process goes something like this. For most makes and models the car needs to be running in order to get accurate results. Usually the car is taken for a drive in order to warm up the engine and fluids. Transmission fluid actually expands quite a bit when it is warmed up so checking the fluid while the car is cold can have misleading results. Once the car is warmed up it should be put in park or neutral on a level surface and then the hood needs to be popped. Most cars have a fluid dipstick near the transmission; you can find where it is located in the owner manual. After you have found the dipstick you will want to remove it and wipe it on a clear paper towel or a rag of some kind. This will be where the color and condition is inspected. Normally fluid should be a bright, clear red. A dark red or light brown are okay colors if the fluid has been used for some time but darker colors can mean it needs to be serviced, especially if it is a dark brown. Colors closer to black may mean that your transmission has a problem. Also if the fluid smells burnt then this can also mean that it has problems. If there are metal shavings or large particles floating about then that may mean that the filter has failed to do its job or it may mean bigger problems. To check whether the fluid has oxidized wipe some of it on a paper towel, if it does not spread then this means it has oxidized. If the fluid shows any of those symptoms - dark colors such as brown or black, a burnt smell, large particles or metal shavings, or fluid oxidation -- then it means your car needs to be taken in to be serviced. If everything seems okay then at this point you will want to check the fluid levels. Simply re-insert the dipstick after wiping it down and then remove it again. The fluid should be somewhere between the two marks. If it is below the second mark then you will want to add the specified transmission fluid suggested in the owner manual in small quantities, checking periodically until the levels reach in between the two marks.
If you stay on top of maintenance procedures then your car will last much longer than average. It is vital to take care of your car unless you want to face expensive repairs or the purchase of an entirely new car later on. Be sure to properly maintain your car on a regular basis because it works tirelessly for you, the least you can do is to keep it in good running condition.
If you would like to learn more about the transmission flush you can visit http://transmission-flush.com
Saturday, October 18, 2014
Mercedes-Benz TV: With the S 500 PLUG-IN HYBRID through Copenhagen.
With the S 500 PLUG-IN HYBRID, the first certified three-litre luxury saloon in the world, Mercedes-Benz Reporter Torie encounters a whole new driving experience: silent, fully electric and locally emission-free.
Wednesday, October 15, 2014
Introducing Mobil 1 Extended Performance 0W-20
Check out the results as our Proof of Performance team puts new Mobil 1 Extended Performance 0W-20 to a gruelling 210,000-mile test. Now available, Mobil 1 Extended Performance 0W-20 advanced fully synthetic motor oil provides outstanding engine protection and performance for up to 15,000 miles between oil changes.
Sunday, October 12, 2014
Volvo Cars - High Performance Drive-E Powertrain Concept
This is the High Performance Drive-E Powertrain Concept – a triple-boost, 4-cylinder engine with no less than 450 horsepower.
The High Performance Drive-E Powertrain Concept highlights the versatility of our Drive-E Powertrains, which use advanced technologies to deliver a unique combination of performance and efficiency.
Developed in conjunction with Volvo Cars suppliers AVL, Denso and Volvo Polestar Racing, this latest development in the Drive-E program incorporates theories and technologies from racing applications to achieve powerful performance with near-instant response.
The High Performance Drive-E Powertrain Concept – the next step in our commitment to delivering driving pleasure through down-sizing.
Thursday, October 9, 2014
BMW Transmission Troubleshooting
If you have a BMW, it is extremely important to make sure it is
always running in top condition. Whether you have just purchased your
BMW or it is many years old, you must always pay close attention to your
car's behavior in the event of a mechanical issue. Because the
transmission is the heart of your vehicle, it is vital that you maintain
your transmission and repair it as needed. In response to the many
vehicles that were recalled by the company, a few key BMW transmission
issues are outlined below to help owners troubleshoot and better
understand what may be going on with their car.
One of the main problems that have been reported with the various BMW models is the excessive amount of play and rough shifting between the 2nd and 1st gears while decelerating. Similarly, some owners have reported a similar issue when quickly shifting from the 2nd to 3rd gears. It has been found that these problems may be the result of a defective solenoid, not the sensors or on-board computer as many people have assumed.
Meanwhile, another common problem with these BMW's is the failure of the on-board computer during gear changes or when the car is first started up. Although many websites suggest unplugging and a manual reset of the computer, these solutions are not recommended and owners should contact an authorized BMW transmission shop. Alternatively, if you are experiencing your transmission disengaging from a running gear into neutral or it does not shift out of a specific gear, you are most likely having a problem with your gear selection switch or your sensors.
By contacting a BMW transmission specialist, you will receive a comprehensive diagnosis and quickly resolve your problem. Rather than trying to identify and remedy your transmission on your own, it is best to consult a specialist. In addition, by contacting a certified BMW specialist when the problem first develops, you are more likely to save money on a more expensive repair down the road.
When you're searching for help with BMW transmission troubleshooting, the best thing you can do is contact a professional company. By identifying a company that specializes in transmissions will guarantee you quality service on any year or model car. In addition, you will be able to rest assured knowing that transmission replacements and transmission rebuilds are a routine job that will be completed efficiently. Once you have found a company that fits your needs, your BMW transmission troubles will be over.
One of the main problems that have been reported with the various BMW models is the excessive amount of play and rough shifting between the 2nd and 1st gears while decelerating. Similarly, some owners have reported a similar issue when quickly shifting from the 2nd to 3rd gears. It has been found that these problems may be the result of a defective solenoid, not the sensors or on-board computer as many people have assumed.
Meanwhile, another common problem with these BMW's is the failure of the on-board computer during gear changes or when the car is first started up. Although many websites suggest unplugging and a manual reset of the computer, these solutions are not recommended and owners should contact an authorized BMW transmission shop. Alternatively, if you are experiencing your transmission disengaging from a running gear into neutral or it does not shift out of a specific gear, you are most likely having a problem with your gear selection switch or your sensors.
By contacting a BMW transmission specialist, you will receive a comprehensive diagnosis and quickly resolve your problem. Rather than trying to identify and remedy your transmission on your own, it is best to consult a specialist. In addition, by contacting a certified BMW specialist when the problem first develops, you are more likely to save money on a more expensive repair down the road.
When you're searching for help with BMW transmission troubleshooting, the best thing you can do is contact a professional company. By identifying a company that specializes in transmissions will guarantee you quality service on any year or model car. In addition, you will be able to rest assured knowing that transmission replacements and transmission rebuilds are a routine job that will be completed efficiently. Once you have found a company that fits your needs, your BMW transmission troubles will be over.
For more information about a BMW transmission repair in NJ and other transmission services offered, or to speak with one of our transmission experts, call us at 201-880-6633 today!
Monday, October 6, 2014
2015 all-new VW Golf | Designing the Hot Hatchback
VW strives for perfection in the design of the 2015 all-new Golf. The Golf’s interior, exterior, and technology make it one of the most exciting hot hatches in 2015.
Friday, October 3, 2014
Mobil 1 Engine Protection Through 454,155 Miles
Kernersville, N.C. resident and former automotive mechanic Don Sawvel has been a loyal Mobil 1 user for more than 30 years. He made an interesting discovery when he took the valve cover off his 454,151-mile engine.
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