3 Things to Never Do When Your Car Overheats

An overheating car could be caused by a variety of reasons. It could be a broken radiator, a kinked radiator hose, a faulty thermostat, and maybe even a lack of coolant. There are many more reasons as well. No matter what the cause, if you are ever in a similar situation, there are three major things you should never do when your car is overheating.

Do Not Continue Driving if Your Car is Overheating

When you first notice that your vehicle is overheating, it is crucial to pull over and stop the car immediately. An overheating car should never be driven. This can be very dangerous. Wait until your car is entirely cooled down before starting the engine again.

Never Check Radiator Fluid Levels in an Overheated Car

Checking your fluid levels in your radiator when the car is overheating is simply asking for trouble. It can be extremely dangerous. There is a lot of pressure built up beneath the radiator cap. Boiling hot fluids and steam can shoot out at high speeds, potentially burning and injuring anyone in its path. Determine whether or not you are on an inline for accurate fluid readings. If the car is not level, the fluids cannot be level.

Never Use Cold Water on a Hot Engine

When a car’s engine has overheated, do not put cold water in the vehicle. Not only can this damage the engine block and cause it to crack, it can lead to other severe auto damages and costly repairs. Let a car cool down completely, as mentioned earlier, before tending to an overheated engine.

For more information about what to not do when your car overheats, call our professional auto repair technicians at Strange’s Garage. We can give you advice on car repair, DIY maintenance tips, free estimates, and more. Visit our engine repair webpage at https://www.strangesgarage.com/engine-repair-indianapolis.php, or call us directly at 317-244-2121 for information about car and engine repair in Indianapolis, IN.

Rebuilt Engines and their Advantages

In today’s economy, it is not always possible to go out and purchase a brand new car because your engine has given out in your old one. Brand new car engines and vehicles are expensive, and require a lot of upfront cash that many families simply do not have. Fortunately, when a car engine breaks beyond repair, there are other options other than purchasing a new car or engine. Continue reading to learn about these options and car engine repair.

Rebuilding Car Engines

Rebuilding car engines is becoming more and more popular due to its various benefits. Many people disregard buying a rebuilt engine, simply because they are used. The truth is that a rebuilt engine could be exactly what you need when it comes to auto engine repair. This is because car engines are just like furniture or clothes when it comes to resale potential. Yes, they are not brand new and may have a few scratches and tears, but they can be restored and still provide you with their intended purpose. If you have an older car and the engine goes out, it is more lucrative to purchase a re-manufactured engine, rather than scraping your savings to buy a new car or new engine. Rebuilt engines are tremendously advantageous, and are highly recommended for many reasons.

Re-Manufactured Engines

When a shop re-manufactures a car engine, they basically dismantle it, inspect it, replace its parts, clean it thoroughly, and repair the entire engine. Typical restorations can include replacing timing belts, reforming piston-cylinders, lubricating and smoothing all bearings, and more. These engine rebuilds are always performed by certified mechanics, so long as they are purchased from a reputable retailer. These retailers should be able to offer warranties and guarantees on their parts and services as well. This way you know you are getting a good product.

Second hand engines are mostly beneficial because of the significant price reductions. A re-manufactured car engine that is fully functional can be bought for more than half the price of new car engine. Another advantage of purchasing a rebuilt engine is that they still meet the OEM specifications and can perform better and run smoother than before.

To learn more about rebuilding engines and car engine repair in Indianapolis, IN, call Strange’s Garage at 317-244-2121. We are highly experienced and qualified mechanics that can walk you through everything you need to know about replacing or repairing your car engine. We offer free estimates, towing services, auto repair, and more. Be sure to check out our Indianapolis IN Engine Repair webpage for more information about repairing car engines today!

Transmission Service versus Transmission Repair

It can be confusing sometimes to know who to refer to when talking about transmission service. One has to know when and if it is time to have their transmissions looked at. This typically depends on the owners’ manual and the amount of miles on the vehicle. Many of the newer vehicles on the market today do not even have a listing for any preventive maintenance service for their transmissions.

Transmission Service

Typically, a transmission service is understood to be a “maintenance” service to ensure a longer lasting life expectancy for your vehicle’s transmission. It typically involves removing the transmission pan and changing the fluid, filter, and sometimes a new gasket for the pan. The filter in the transmission is there to keep the fluid clean, but over time, the filter can become filled with sediment and particles from the slow wear of the bands, clutches, and gear-to-gear contact. If a person uses their vehicle to haul or pull heavy loads, it is

Transmission Service Indiana

Transmission Service, Maintenance, and Repair in Indianapolis, Indiana

critical to the life of the transmission to keep the fluid and filter clean. Just because a vehicle is running and shifting normal does not mean that it is in good working condition. It is important to maintain a transmission just like an engine. Similar to the importance of keeping the oil and filter changed regularly on an engine, a transmission, even though it does not need to be done as often, also needs these components changed regularly.

Transmission Repair

Most dealers will suggest that you have your fluid and filter changed in your transmission at 50,000 to 60,000 mile intervals. If a person waits until the transmission is slipping, not shifting, or emits a burned fluid smell, they may have waited too long. This is when it could be time for a transmission “repair”. When a vehicle’s transmission is slipping, slamming into gear, making noise, shimmies, or has other driving issues, it is crucial that the vehicle not be driven until it is looked at by a licensed technician.
Internal failures on most late-model electronic transmissions can be very expensive to repair. Driving the impaired vehicle creates more damage that results in higher repair costs. A complete transmission overhaul can easily cost $2500 – $5000 in today’s market, with some luxury cars costing even more to repair. When you consider that the cost of a typical transmission maintenance services averages near $85 to $150, you can see that preventive auto maintenance is the more lucrative choice for car maintenance and service.

Strange’s Garage

So don’t wait for your vehicle to start showing signs of transmission problems. Be pro-active and schedule an appointment to have your transmission fluid and filter changed soon. You will save a lot of money in the long run. For more information on car and auto maintenance and repair services, call us at 317-244-2121. We are licensed and professional auto technicians with over 30 years of experience repairing transmissions. Feel free to visit our Indiana Transmission Service and Repair website for more information on our auto transmission services as well!

Written By: Stephen King-Lead Technician, Strange’s Garage, 317-244-2121