By MTFSJ September 18, 2013
They treat you well and do a great job! ...read more
By MTFSJ September 18, 2013
I had them do a ton of work to an old VW we had for many years. They charged a small fortune and basically everything they fixed they messed up.....examples..asked them to replace all hoses, belts, radiator, timing belt. Car blew a radiator hose they failed to replace, overheated and then had a small head gasket leak. Then timing belt they replaced went 3k miles before breaking, another shop noted something was rubbing on belt. Bottom line...expensive and NOT worth it! ...read more
By Guest G. at Judy's Book June 11, 2013
Just had 1300$ in front end work done and two weeks later they won't warranty a part they just had said was good two weeks prior tht is no going bad ...read more
147 Million Gallons of Wasted Gas? It's a Drop in the Bucket. We waste millions of gallon of gas because of loose gas caps, underinflated tires, faulty thermostats, worn spark plugs, malfunctioning engine controls, poor wheel alignment and the list goes on. These are among the conditions that daily cost consumers millions of dollars in wasted fuel. For example as innocuous as an improperly tighten gas cap or one that's missing or defective, might seem minor factor, said Rich White of the car care Council. "But consider that 17 percent of the vehicle on highways has either misused or missing gas caps, causing 147,000,000 gallons of gas per year to vaporize into the atmosphere. (Service Tech Magazine, September 2000) Also on late model vehicle it can cause the check engine light to come on because of the new emission requirements. A leading automotive expert Chris Gerber, "Quotes that most drivers are unaware of the economic consequences of neglected maintenance." Even thou nearly 147 million gallons of gas out of the filler cap are literally a drop in the bucket of waste. Their many others that are far worst among them are. Under inflated tires, incorrect wheel alignment, these conditions which increase rolling resistance. Another factor is the braking brake not fully released; this can cost as much as a mile or two per gallon on a car that normally gets 20 miles per gallon. "Among other gas guzzlers" Is dirty oil this can eat up about a mile per gallon? A slipping automatic transmission can again eat up as much as 2 mile per gallon. Let's not forget the cooling system a mile per gallon and as much as two mpg for a cooling system thermostat that causes the engine to run too cold. Finally, there could be a malfunction of one or more components in the fuel system, Ignition system or emission control systems, especially critical in cold weather driving. The penalty for just one misfiring spark plug is two or three miles per gallon. Do your part and help reduce the cost of fuel and protect or environment. Here are a few tips on cutting fuel cost!! 1- Slow down. Even a five –mile-per-hour decrease in speed can effect gas mileage. 2- Keep tires properly inflated. Under-inflated tires can cut fuel economy by a half percent per pound of pressure below recommended levels. 3- Give your car a full tune-up. A poorly tuned engine can increase fuel use by up to 50 percent or more. 4- Don't let a vehicle idle for more than a minute. Idling can consume as much as a gallon of gas per hour. Idling also waste more fuel than restarting the engine. 5- Maintain a consistent speed. Accelerate gently, brake gradually and avoid hard stops. 6- Pare extra weight. The excess weight of car top carriers, trailers and other vehicle cause engines to work harder and burn more gas. If you have a trunk full of junk, empty it out for better fuel economy and remove bike racks and rooftop cargo carriers when not in use for better aerodynamics. 7- Travel during off-peak times to avoid rush hour if possible. 8- Keep your oil change properly Transolution is state of the art repair facility, we want to protect the precious environment we live in and helping the consumer to be educated in the importance of proper vehicle maintenance. Please do your part. Thanks for Listening!! Transolution 4500 Transolution lane , Mt 59804 406-721-6109 Chris Gerber President ...read more
By Transolution Auto Care January 17, 2011
There are several undisputable truths held throughout the world: Two plus two always equals four. The sun always rises in the east and sets in the west. What goes up must come down. And, it is almost always cheaper in the end to maintain your vehicle properly instead of investing in major repair bills or, in a worst-case scenario, a new vehicle. Not only does such affordable maintenance help to steer you clear of expensive major repairs, but such forethought protects you against every motorist's nightmare – either a breakdown on a busy freeway, during a long trip, or on a vacation far away from civilization. Basic maintenance includes taking your car into the shop for regular check-ups for your brakes, timing belt, transmission, sparkplugs, ignition system, fuel injectors or carburetor, belt and hose replacements. Now, such routine checks are not free, and you should be prepared to bring your vehicle in for check-ups several times throughout a year. However, the cost of these simple procedures dwindles in comparison to catastrophically expensive failures that leave you needing a new transmission, new motor or an entire brake system. The labor rate at a quality auto repair shop usually runs anywhere between $50 to $100 dollars per hour, depending on where you live. That means your labor bill alone could push up into the hundreds of dollars, and you haven't even bought your parts yet. In addition, new car prices continue to push up into the five-digit-figures, while it's almost impossible to find a solid used car for less than $5,000 to $10.000. Meanwhile, basic maintenance procedures, like oil changes (usually $30 to $50 for the complete procedure at most auto shops) and coolant system flushes, power steering flush, transmission flush are so quick and comparatively inexpensive that there is no reason not to treat your car right and keep it purring like it should. In fact, an oil change presents the perfect opportunity to take full inventory of your vehicle. Many good repair shops make a point of checking all of your vehicle's vital signs when you bring it in for its 3,000 mile black to gold transfusion. What steps can you take to properly maintain your vehicle and make sure you won't be heading into the repair shop or the dealership against your will? First, if you want to keep your current vehicle in solid working condition, carry out preventive maintenance with the help of a trusted mechanic. Also remember that there are different maintenance intervals. Routine Service This is a list of maintenance items that do not follow any specific mileage interval pattern, such as "monthly" or "as required" Normal Service This is a schedule of maintenance recommended at specific mileage intervals for vehicles used for general transportation. Server Service 1. Trips of 5 miles or less. 2. Trips of 10 miles or less and the outside temperature remain below 32 Fahrenheit. 3. Trailer Towing. 4. Operating in dusty, sandy or salty areas. 5. Extended idling conditions or low speed operation such as stop and go traffic. 6. Extended driving in excessive temperature conditions (above 50% at 90 Fahrenheit). 7. When vehicle is used for delivery services, police, taxi or other commercial applications. 8. Driving continuously in excess of normal highway speeds. Remember! Where you live has an affect on the type of maintenance you may need. It is much cheaper because major repairs are labor intensive and far more expensive than the cost of preventive maintenance. Motorists can easily double or even triple the life spans of their current cars simply by performing maintenance, practicing good driving habits, and avoiding the kinds of mistakes that send most cars to the junkyard. For example, drive gently during a new car's first 50 miles. Vary your speed for the first 1,000 miles of the car's life. Failure to do these could result in improper setting of the piston rings which leads to increased oil consumption throughout the life of the car. Also, have your mechanic change the oil promptly after the first 1,500 miles to eliminate bits of metal and grit found in a new engine. Consider those first miles a break-in period. In addition avoid sudden stops. Accelerating aggressively only to slam on the brakes at the next traffic light does not save time or money and waste fuel. It only causes needless wear on your engine, transmission, suspension and brakes and maybe the person sitting next to you. Anticipate traffic patterns to keep your speed as constant as possible. Since most lights on city streets have timed lights working in unison with each other, you're not going to beat them all unless you observe the speed limit. In the early days of automobiles, brakes were so unreliable that prudent drivers always shifted into lower gear when descending hills or approaching busy intersections. Today, brakes are very advanced and safe. They are also far less costly to repair than the engine or the transmission components. Use engine braking only when descending a long steep grade. At all other times use your brakes. When you first start your car, let it warm up a bit before moving. Most engine wear occurs in the first few moments after you start your vehicle -- when the cylinders need cold oil. To avoid trouble later, let your engine idle with your foot off the accelerator pedal for a minute or so. Once you are under way, drive slowly and avoid using your heater and other power-hungry accessories until the engine reaches its proper operating temperature, after approximately three or four minutes. Accelerating briskly with a cold engine can cause the engine's head gasket to fail. Premature use of accessories speeds wear of engine bearings, since they are not yet well oiled. Finally, never forget the most obvious and well publicized steps in car maintenance- changing the air and the oil and oil filter. For many motorists, oil maintenance means simply adding the occasional quart of 10W40. In fact, 10W30 offers far more protection against engine wear than 10W40. Manufactures now recommend 5W30 for some models. By the time you are a quart low, it is time for another oil change. Make sure your mechanic changes conventional motor oil once every three months or every 3,000 miles, whichever comes first. Also a little trick is to fill your oil filter with oil as much as possible before installing. This procedure prevents the engine from having little or no lubrication until the oil filter fills up before entering the main components of the engine. As for the filter, switch from a disposable pleated-paper air filter to a reuse able wetted-foam filter, if possible. K&N; manufactures such a product. The cost should run about $30 to $50. To lock out dirt, apply a thin layer of grease to the seal between the filter and the filter housing. Despite manufacturer's claims, the pleated paper filters neither reduce engine wear nor boost performance. In general, when you compare the odd $30 to $50 fine-tuning procedures to the cost of a major repair with expensive parts and labor, it's a no-brainer. Save yourself and your wallet a little heartache and stay on top of your basic maintenance. For more information and other money saving tips gave us a call or come by: TRANSOLUTION 4500 Transolution lane , Mt 59804 406-721-6109 ...read more
By Transolution Auto Care December 16, 2010
Take care of your car's seasonal services immediately and make plans to get ahead of the game next year. An early visit to your repair facility provides the opportunity to budget for unanticipated repairs. In domino fashion, failing to plan for maintenance can turn small problems into larger ones, putting a serious dent in your automotive budget. The penalties of procrastinating on vehicle maintenance range from a heater that runs cold to a battery that won't start the car. Take care of your car's seasonal services immediately and make plans to get ahead of the game next year. An early visit to your repair facility provides the opportunity to budget for unanticipated repairs. The Car Care Council offers the following checklist: Engine performanceA poorly maintained engine is hard to start in cold weather, if it starts at all. It may run rough and lose power. Have fuel, ignition and emission control systems checked, necessary components replaced and adjustments made. Every two years it is recommended that the fuel system is professional cleaned for increase performance and cleaner emission. Battery and electrical systemHow old is your battery? If it's three or more years old, it should be tested and replaced if necessary. Even a strong battery that can deliver full power at 80 degrees F. will have dropped to 65 percent of its output at freezing temperature and only 40 percent at zero degrees. Clean and tighten battery terminals, as loose or corroded connections can cause symptoms of a weak or dead battery. Having a electrical system analysis performed to insure that the charging and starting system can perform in the colder months ahead will gave peace of mind and keep your vehicle off the tow truck.. Oil and filterChange both as recommended in the owner's manual, generally at 3,000-mile intervals for severe conditions and cold weather operation, especially when most driving is stop-and-go traffic. Check the owner's manual for more information on severe service or refer to Car Care Council's Service Interval Schedule. VisibilityReplace old wiper blades and be sure your washers are working. Carry spare washer solvent in your vehicle. Cooling systemA vehicle's antifreeze should be changed annually, or as recommended in the owner's manual. Flush the cooling system every 24 months. The recommended mixture is 50/50 antifreeze and distilled water. Have the system pressure tested for leaks and check hoses and drive belt(s) for tension and condition. TiresInspect, balance, check inflation and rotate tires. Check inflation on the spare and make sure the jack is in place. Also make sure that you have a flash light handy for night time use. LightsCheck all lights and replace burned out bulbs. Check the hazard flashing lights for proper operation. Exhaust SystemHave the vehicle put on a lift for an inspection of the exhaust system. Leaking exhaust fumes can be deadly. For more information and to have a electrical system analysis, Contact Chris Gerber @ Transolution Auto Care Phone 721-6109 ...read more
By Transolution Auto Care October 20, 2010
Maintaining a healthy and functional automatic transmission is incredibly important to your car's overall health as well as your bank account's overall health. A faulty transmission can be one of the most expensive repairs for a car owner and learning how to do repairs yourself can be a well worthy in... ...read more
The transmission is the part of the car that allows the gears to change in order for the car to move faster. Without a functioning transmission, the car will not move. An automatic transmission switches gears by itself instead of requiring the driver to manually change them. The transmission can be re... ...read more
