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An automatic transmission is your car’s beating heart. Standard on most new cars, it allows gears to speed up without you making adjustments. Day after day it carries you from zero to 60 and back again—all you have to do is hit the pedals. There’s only one thing it can’t do for itself: maintenance. Every transmission has different needs, but they typically need to be serviced every 50,000 miles. A regular service schedule will keep your car running and help you avoid the high cost of a new transmission. Check your owner’s manual for the recommended service schedule.

Hit the brakes. Hear anything? You shouldn’t. Braking noise indicates a problem. Screeching, grinding or pulsating noises can indicate worn brake pads or damaged components. Noise doesn’t always occur when braking, either; a persistent squealing while driving down the road is a warning from your worn brake pads. Visit your service mechanic immediately to keep your brakes safe and responsive.

What’s that in the gas station window? A hot dog? A special on Cokes? You can’t help yourself. It’s a long ride ahead, so you grab a few and hit the road. Enjoy them, but make sure wrappers and bottles are disposed of properly. Environmental concerns aside, trash can migrate under your feet and interfere with pedals and brakes. The back seat is usually enough to guard against this, but just to be safe, stow trash in a plastic bag. There are enough surprises on the road—make sure there are none in your car!

Your windshield is a marvel of strength. Whether you know it or not, stones and debris hit it every time you drive—and usually nothing happens. But you can’t get lucky every day, and occasionally a stone will make a star-like crack in the glass. It might not look like much, but it’s a serious problem. The crack can grow across your entire windshield. Left unattended, even the tiniest nick can invisibly weaken the windshield structure, which puts you in danger during a crash. Crack repair kits can be purchased at any auto parts store, but play it safe and visit your dealer, who’ll confirm the extent of the damage and fix it correctly. Should you need a new windshield, your dealer will replace it to factory standard, allowing you to hit the road with confidence.

If you are worried about your fuel economy, then take a moment to read this article that appeared in the Philadelphia Inquirer on June 24, 2011. There are ways to be more fuel efficient and you might not even know it. Do you have any suggestions or ideas on how you have saved on gas and kept your fuel economy at premium levels?

If you're ever involved in a collision, the choice of a collision repair shop is critical to assuring your warranty remains intact. Many insurance companies will suggest repair shops that agree with the insurers method of repair, not the manufacturers recommended procedures. Aftermarket replacement parts, which are in many cases substandard and suggested for use by insurance companies, may void the warranty on your vehicle. There is one sure way to maintain your vehicle warranty in case of an accident: by insisting qualified and trained Toyota collision experts restore your vehicle to pre-accident condition. Our collision repair centers, Ardmore Auto Body and Paul Bros. Auto Body, have been repairing Toyota's since 1969 and provide a lifetime warranty on workmanship. We work for you, not the insurance company. Please feel free to contact us for a FREE estimate the next time your vehicle is in need of collision repair. www.ArdmoreAutoBody.com www.PaulBrosAutoBody.com

When your car squeaks, groans or squeals, it's asking for help. Ignoring those noises can cost big bucks later, so it's best to check them now and fix any problems while they're still small. Here are three common car noises, the problems they signal and what it could cost to fix them: THE SQUEAK: If you hear a high-pitched squeak when you hit the brakes, your brake pads may need replacing. Pads clamp onto discs called rotors to stop the car. Repeated clamping wears down the soft metallic compound they're made of. That can expose t he rotor to the metal brake pad frame. Normally, pads last anywhere from 9,000 to 40,000 miles, but when they wear down, you'll have to buy new ones and repair the rotors by having a mechanic "machine" or shave off metal to create a better braking surface. That all costs around $200 per axle depending on the car. If you ignore a squeak for too long, you'll hear grinding. "If you don't get it fixed, it could damage the rotors to the point where you'd have to replace those rather than just machine them, said Michael Calkins, who oversees certification of car repair garages for AAA. New rotors and pads can cost more than $400 per axle depending on the car. If the squeaking stops after you brake a few times, it's probably just rust on the rotors, a common problem that isn't serious. A squeak also can happen if the rotors move the pads around. For $50 or less, a mechanic can install clips or silicone to hold the pads in place. THE SQUEAL: A high-pitched squeal when you start the car, or a squeak every few seconds while it's running, may mean a belt is loose or needs to be replaced. Belts turn water pumps, air conditioning compressors and alternators that recharge the battery. A loose belt can be tightened by a mechanic for $20 to $50. Replacing a worn-out belt or the pulleys that hold it in place costs around $200. Ignoring the noise will hurt your wallet. A worn belt can break and damage the engine. Belts should be checked twice a year and replaced at around 60,000 miles, mechanics say. THE GROAN: A low-pitched groan can mean problems with your bearings, which cut friction between fixed and moving parts throughout your car. The problematic bearing could be in the wheels, water pump or alternator.  On a front-wheel-drive car, it can also signal that something is wrong with the joints that turn the wheels. Catch them early and the problems are a couple hundred dollars. But if an alternator bearing fails, that can lead to a chain of damaging events, including a disabled water pump, which would stop pumping coolant into your engine. The resulting damage could cost you thousands of dollars to fix. It's a good idea to have a mechanic listen to your car at least every six months. "It'll complain to you audibly when it needs certain things," said Calkins.

Ethanol is a grain alcohol that’s been used in blended gasoline for decades. This renewable resource, produced by American workers, helps reduce carbon emissions and break our country’s dependence on foreign oil. So why haven’t you heard much about ethanol until now? Because in the past few years, car manufacturers have developed engines that accept higher percentages of ethanol than ever before. In the future, we can look forward to cheaper and greener cars that rely totally on ethanol. For now, every major automaker approves the use of ethanol “flex” fuels, which are available everywhere. So do you part for the environment, even as you gas up.

For most of us, recycling is a fact of life. Reusing paper, plastic, cans, and bottles is an essential part of protecting the Earth. But did you know that your motor oil can be recycled too? And it’s just as easy? Yes, two gallons of used motor oil will generate enough electricity to power the average household for an entire day. It can also be used to make new, clean, synthetic motor oil that’s healthier for the environment. Perhaps most importantly, recycled oil stays out of the water supply. So if you change your own oil, save it and bring it to your dealer. They’ll make sure it keeps working for a clean, healthy future.

The only noise your car should make is a rich, satisfying roar as it carries you down the road. Anything else means there’s a problem. Head straight to your dealer mechanic at the first sign of strange noises. Here are some common sounds, and the problems usually associated with them: Clunking/thumping: Defective universal joint, prop shaft or rear differential. Heavy knocking/pounding from engine/drivetrain: Worn crankshaft bearings, bad connecting rod, or loose bolts in the gearbox torque converter. Engine pinging: Low quality fuel. Easily fixed by switching to a higher octane fuel, or check ignition timing. Metallic screeching/scraping: Worn brake pads. Squealing: Loose fan belt or compressor belts. Thudding/thumping: Loose pulleys or exhaust pipe. Low - pitched rumble: Wheel-bearing wear. Increasing engine ticks: Bad lubrication due to low or dirty oil. Whining: Differential or transmission wear. Do your best to describe the problem to your mechanic. The clearer your description, the easier it will be for him to fix your car quickly and cheaply.

The average car battery lasts 3-5 years. But extreme weather can send it to an early grave, and if you take many short trips, the battery won’t recharge properly. We all know the importance of carrying good jumper cables, but to avoid being stranded it’s important to take preventative action. Clean your battery twice a year with terminal connector spray, which will fight corrosion and keep it operating at maximum efficiency. Ask your dealer mechanic to check surface voltage and alternator output at every maintenance visit, and when it’s time for the battery to be replaced, make sure your new battery stays encased in its insulation jacket. Be kind to your battery; it keeps you rolling!

Winter’s here—the season for saving money and staying warm. But cold weather can be brutal to your car’s health. If you visit your dealer for some routine maintenance, you’ll cruise with confidence when the sun comes out. Here are some things your expert dealer mechanic will check: Does your car need a bath? Rock salt build-up will corrode your car’s paint job, wheel wells, etc. Your dealer’s wash service uses mild detergent that’s specially selected for your car, guaranteeing that brand-new look. Your battery and fluids. Make sure your battery is strong against the chill, and you have enough wiper fluid to wash away debris. Wipers. Now that you’re using your wipers more than ever, make sure those blades are in top shape. Brakes. Winter driving can be an adventure, so make sure you’re able to stop on a dime. Are your filters clean? Change dirty, moist air filters to maximize your heating efficiency and keep your car smelling fresh. Let your dealer winterize your car now, and when summer comes you’ll have more cash to play with when you hit the open road.