Not-So-Smooth Operator (Transmission Signs of Trouble)
March 30, 2025
You are heading down a flat, newly paved street when all of a sudden you feel it. Your vehicle jumps a little bit when you're accelerating and changing gears. You know it's not the surface of the road because it's smooth as silk. So what did you just feel? That kind of jumpingor grinding or sl... More
Transmission Service at TLC Custom Exhaust Brakes & Tires in Royal Oak
March 3, 2024
Let's talk about transmission service. It can be easy for Royal Oak drivers to forget about getting their transmission serviced because it doesn't need it very often. It's easier for people in Michigan to remember to change the engine oil - you know, every 3,000 miles or 5,000 kilometers. But pro... More
Shifty Letters PRNDL (Transmission)
December 24, 2023
You probably figured out those shifty letters. They're what you see on your automatic transmission shifter and stand for Park, Reverse, Neutral, Drive and Low. Your automatic transmission is one of the great automotive inventions; here are some ways you can keep yours working well. Maintain you... More
Smooth Shifting in Royal Oak, Michigan: Transmission Service
July 30, 2023
So you have some exciting plans for the weekend. You're going to take some of your friends out on the boat for some water skiing. Of course, you've gotten the boat all ready. And you haven't forgotten about your tow vehicle. You've gassed it up and even vacuumed it out. However, there is somethi... More
Good Timing: Proper Timing Belt Replacement Saves Money for Royal Oak Drivers
July 12, 2022
Knowing how their engine works can help Royal Oak drivers make informed decisions about auto care and prevent repairs to their vehicles. This is especially true when it comes to timing belts.An engine's power is generated in the cylinders. Inside the cylinder is a piston that moves up and down w... More
Automotive Tips from TLC Custom Exhaust Brakes & Tires: Knowing When Your Timing Belt Should Be Replaced
February 27, 2022
The timing belt in your engine controls the opening and closing of the intake and exhaust valves. Royal Oak drivers need to replace it on a schedule to avoid failure.Timing belts are very difficult to get to, requiring quite a bit of labor to access. Timing belt replacement is one of the more exp... More
Fears and Gears (Signs of Automatic Transmission Problems)
December 5, 2021
Automatic transmissions rule. The old days of shifting your own gears are a thing of the past for most drivers. But automatic transmission trouble can be a big inconvenience for any driver if it comes at the wrong time in the wrong place. Here are some signs to look out for that may mean you ar... More
Timing Belt Service to Save Big Bucks in Royal Oak
November 7, 2021
Your engine is like a finely choreographed dance. All the parts have to work together. If the timing is off at the ballet, dancers crash into each other and fall down. It the timing is off in your engine, it may not run at all. One of the most intricate dances in your engine has to do with the c... More
Automotive Tips from TLC Custom Exhaust Brakes & Tires: A Broken or Damaged Timing Belt
July 25, 2021
The timing belt rotates the cam shafts which open and close the valves that allow air, fuel, and exhaust to flow through the engine as it powers your car when you drive around Royal Oak.An old timing belt can lose a tooth in the belt allowing it to slip. The engine could stop or misfire. Timing b... More
Ask TLC Custom Exhaust Brakes & Tires: What Happens When a Serpentine Belt Breaks?
October 20, 2019
The serpentine belt is aptly named since it snakes around under your hood. It may lack its namesake's fangs, but it sure packs a wallop when it breaks.The serpentine belt powers a lot of engine systems. It runs the alternator, which charges the battery; the water pump (on some vehicles), which co... More