No car owner wants to hear that the problem the car is having is in the transmission. Transmissions are one of the most expensive parts that a car owner might have to replace – if the car is old enough, it sometimes makes more sense to replace the car entirely than to replace the transmission. But I’ve found that there are ways to save when you need transmission work! Not only are there ways to save money on a new or rebuilt transmission, there are also ways to locate transmission problems and have them fixed before they become too serious. This blog is designed to help you take better care of your transmission, and avoid paying too much for transmission repairs.
Buying a used engine may seem like a strange idea to many auto nuts. After all, who wants to install something that's already been used (and potentially abused) by somebody else? However, if you follow these simple performance enhancing maintenance tips, you can boost your used engine's abilities and make it worth the investment.
Improve Gas Mileage with a Quick Tuneup
Immediately after installing your used engine, you should take it into a professional mechanic and get it tuned up. Why should you tune up your engine? Because a tune up can actually improve your gas mileage by an average of 4%, which can save you about $0.08 per gallon.
The math here is quite simple. Let's say your used engine has an efficiency rating of about 16 mpg when you install it. A 4% efficiency improvement would add 4 mpg to your engine, giving it a much more attractive 20 mpg rating.
Extend Life of Transmission
Transmissions are perhaps the most vital and expensive part of your engine: without it, a car simply can't run. Adding life to your used engine's transmission can be as simple as following these basic steps:
It may be a wise idea to immediately take your car to a repair shop and have your transmission inspected after you install a used engine. They can spot any minor issues and fix them before they become major problems.
Install a Cold Air Intake Kit
Cold air intake kits are perhaps the most under utilized and under appreciated way to boost a used engine's performance. These kits work by drawing in outside air, cooling it and pumping it directly into your engine.
How does this help your engine? By creating a higher oxygen density. More oxygen creates easier combustion and increases your engine's efficiency by more fully igniting fuel with each stroke.
Add an Aftermarket Exhaust System
Who doesn't love adding a dual exhaust system to their car? There's just something so satisfying about the grind and roar they produce. However, you may be better off skipping the dualie and installing an aftermarket exhaust system.
Why? Because these exhaust systems have wider pipes, which opens your engine up to smoother breathing. Smoother breathing creates more power and efficiency, though results will vary depending on the engine.
As you can see, a few simple tweaks and enhancements can turn your used engine into a much more streamlined and efficient engine. So, next time you're thinking about adding a new engine to your car, it may be worth your time to check out some high-quality used engines from a retailer like Auto & Truck Used Parts instead.
Share11 February 2015
