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By NAPA
Is your car not shifting gears like it used to? An automatic transmission makes driving much less complicated than the manual gear (stick shift) alternative. But that convenience comes at the price of complexity. When an automatic transmission equipped car won’t shift gears, there could be several potential issues. These issues can range from a simple fix to needing a complete transmission rebuild. Below is technical expertise on “Why is my automatic car not shifting gears?”
Low Transmission Fluid link hidden, please login to view
Your automatic transmission relies on hydraulic fluid pressure to operate. The pump pulls
link hidden, please login to view from the transmission pan reservoir to actuate different components. If the transmission fluid level gets low enough, the pump will be unable to push fluid where it needs to go. Even worse, the pump will pull air into the system, which could lead to a lack of lubrication that damages parts. If you are lucky, your vehicle has a transmission fluid dipstick so you can easily check the fluid level according to the instructions in the owner’s manual. If your vehicle does not have a transmission fluid dipstick but is “
link hidden, please login to view”, that doesn’t prevent you from checking the fluid level. In most cases, the fluid can be checked via a fill plug, but the transmission has to be at a certain temperature and the vehicle must be level. This isn’t an easy task, so it might be best to have your local link hidden, please login to view do it for you. Faulty Shift Solenoid
We just mentioned how an automatic transmission relies on pressurized fluid to operate, but that fluid also needs to be routed to where it is needed. In a modern, electronically controlled automatic transmission, shift solenoids control the flow of transmission fluid. If the shift solenoid is faulty, then the fluid won’t be routed to the desired shift actuator. In older non-electronically controlled transmissions, shifting was controlled by shift valves, but the idea is the same. Shift solenoids can wear out or get stuck, leading to a no-shift condition. Fixing a faulty shift solenoid usually requires removing the transmission fluid pan to access the transmission valve body.
Low Transmission Fluid Pressure
You should be seeing a pattern of how important hydraulic fluid is to the operation of an automatic transmission. If the transmission fluid level is fine, there may still be a problem with the fluid pressure. Low fluid pressure can be caused by a worn out pump, clogged fluid passages or a clogged transmission fluid filter. A lack of shifting car gears due to low fluid pressure usually means it is time for a
link hidden, please login to view. If the problem is with the pump itself, then you are probably looking at a transmission rebuild. Bad Transmission Control Module
Most modern automatic transmissions have an electronic
link hidden, please login to view (TCM). The control module takes input from various sensors, and decides how the transmission should react. Depending on where the control module is mounted, it can lead a very hard life. Extreme temperatures, vibrations, leaking fluids and sometimes even how the circuit board is built can all lead to failures of microchips and other electronic components. If the check engine light is on while you are having shifting problems, the TCM may be the issue. Broken Shift Cable
Each time you drive, the shifter is moved at least twice, once for driving and again for park. That movement adds up over the years. While an automatic transmission doesn’t have the complicated shifting mechanism of a manual transmission, there is usually a physical connection between the shifter and the transmission. Modern
link hidden, please login to view usually have plastic components that can break down over time. There may also be bushings that get worn out. The shift cable itself is usually metal and rarely breaks, but the pieces connecting it to the transmission can possibly fail. Shift Lock Engaged
If the car is not shifting into gear from park, then the issue might be the gear shift interlock. Most modern vehicles have a lockout on the automatic gear shifter that requires the brake pedal to be pressed first. If the brake pedal isn’t pressed, the shifter won’t move. It is possible that the brake pedal sensor doesn’t read that the pedal is pressed, or a break in the shift interlock circuit interrupts the connection. The shift lock can be
link hidden, please login to view. Worn Out Bands
Just like how brake pads can wear out, so can the friction materials inside the transmission like the bands. Transmission bands hold certain components in place, while others are allowed to rotate. When this happens, the transmission won’t go into certain gears. Unfortunately worn out bands usually mean a complete transmission overhaul. Material from the worn out bands can make their way into sensitive fluid passages, clogging them or causing accelerated wear
Failed Throttle Sensor
This one may seem odd, but gauging how much throttle input the driver is giving makes a big difference in how the transmission acts. Whether the input is from a
link hidden, please login to view or a cable, if the driver pushes down the gas pedal, the transmission needs to change gears. But if that input isn’t received, the transmission has no idea what the driver wants to do. If the transmission doesn’t know the driver is hitting the gas, it might not shift into the next gear. Even worse, on some older transmissions, if the transmission isn’t linked correctly to the throttle input, severe damage can be done. If your transmission isn’t shifting like it used to, simply head to your local
link hidden, please login to view center. Our team of ASE-certified technicians have the expertise and training to diagnose your automatic transmission issues. As a bonus, your repair is covered by our free 24-Month/24,000-Mile link hidden, please login to view (parts and labor on qualifying repairs and services), which spans across the entire nationwide NAPA Network, including 17,000+ NAPA Auto Care center locations. Photos courtesy of
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By Counterman
Applications are being accepted for the Federated Car Care Scholarship program.
Interested students should complete and submit their applications at
link hidden, please login to view by March 31. The Federated Car Care scholarships are funded by Fisher Auto Parts in memory of Art Fisher, founder of Federated Auto Parts and the Federated Car Care program. Qualified candidates should specify “Federated” on their application when applying online.
Administered by the University of the Aftermarket Foundation (
link hidden, please login to view), the scholarships will be awarded to employees and children of active Federated Car Care Center members attending a two- or four-year accredited college, an ASE/NATEF-certified post-secondary automotive, heavy-duty or collision technician training program or any licensed and accredited vocational school. Students graduating from high school in 2024 and heading to any of these post-secondary programs also are eligible. “It is a privilege for us to once again provide scholarship opportunities to the children and employees of Car Care members, assisting them in furthering their education,” said Bo Fisher, chairman and CEO of Fisher Auto Parts. “The University of the Aftermarket Foundation’s AutomotiveScholarships.com website streamlines the application process. We urge all interested candidates to submit their applications by March 31 and look forward to awarding Federated Car Care scholarships to another group of deserving young men and women for the 2024-25 academic year.”
Federated is one of more than 30 other organizations awarding scholarships on
link hidden, please login to view. As an added benefit for students who apply at this site, each completed application will be considered by every scholarship where the candidate meets the qualifications. The post
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By Counterman
new national survey by Atomik Research reveals 91% of American motorists say they’ve experienced a dead battery, but nearly two-thirds (65%) of motorists admit they don’t think about having their car battery checked until it’s too late.
To raise awareness of the importance of having a reliable car battery, Advance Auto Parts is giving away free DieHard batteries on National Battery Day, which is Sunday, Feb. 18.
Advance said it will surprise randomly selected customers with a free DieHard battery, including those getting their current battery tested, at participating stores nationwide.
As part of National Battery Day, Advance is partnering with Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield to encourage motorists to get their car batteries tested.
“Checking the performance of your car battery can prevent unfortunate and even unsafe events caused by dead batteries,” said Junior Word, Advance’s executive vice president, U.S. stores.
Additional data from the national Atomik survey commissioned by Advance in January underscores the need to remind motorists to get their car batteries checked:
Sixty-five percent of motorists say they’ve missed or been late to something due to a dead car battery; nearly 10% say they missed or were late to an important life event – such as a wedding, funeral or birth of a child. Only 2% of motorists indicate they’ve had their car battery checked before a cross-country road trip. Only 5% of motorists report having ever checked their car battery when there is a drop in temperature. The post
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By Advance Auto Parts
Advance Auto Parts Puts a Charge in American Motorists on National Battery Day With Free DieHard® Auto Batteries Giveaway and Complimentary Battery Testing Nationwide Feb. 18
02/14/2024 New survey reveals 91 percent of motorists have experienced a dead battery, but nearly two-thirds admit they don’t think about having their car battery checked until it’s too late
RALEIGH, N.C.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Advance Auto Parts (NYSE: AAP), a leading automotive aftermarket parts provider, is jump-starting motorists’ attention to the safety and reliability of their automobiles by giving away free DieHard® batteries on National Battery Day, Sunday, Feb. 18.
This press release features multimedia. View the full release here:
link hidden, please login to view Customers who visit their local Advance Auto Parts store on National Battery Day, Sunday, February 18, may be randomly selected to receive a free DieHard auto battery. (Photo: Business Wire)
A new national survey by Atomik Research reveals 91 percent of American motorists say they have experienced a dead battery, but nearly two-thirds (65 percent) of motorists admit they don’t think about having their car battery checked until it’s too late.
On National Battery Day, Sunday, Feb. 18, Advance will surprise randomly selected customers with a free DieHard® battery, including those getting their current battery tested, at participating stores nationwide. As part of National Battery Day, Advance is partnering with pro football star quarterback Baker Mayfield to encourage motorists to get their car batteries tested.
“Our team of automotive experts are committed to customer care and advancing the needs of today’s motorists, such as offering complimentary curbside battery testing and installation every day, including on National Battery Day, Sunday Feb. 18,” said Junior Word, Advance’s executive vice president, U.S. stores. “Checking the performance of your car battery can prevent unfortunate and even unsafe events caused by dead batteries.”
Additional data from the national Atomik survey commissioned by Advance in January further validates the need to remind motorists to get their car batteries checked:
65 percent of motorists say they have missed or been late to something due to a dead car battery, including nearly 10 percent say they missed or were late to an important life event – such as a wedding, funeral or birth of a child Only 2 percent of motorists indicate they have had their car battery checked before a cross‑country road trip Only 5 percent of motorists report having ever checked their car battery when there is a drop in temperature To learn more about Advance’s car care offerings, including DieHard®, or find a store location, visit
link hidden, please login to view. DieHard® is America’s most trusted auto battery* and part of Advance’s portfolio of owned brands. About Advance Auto Parts
Advance Auto Parts, Inc. is a leading automotive aftermarket parts provider that serves both professional installer and do-it-yourself customers. As of October 7, 2023, Advance operated 4,785 stores and 320 Worldpac branches primarily within the United States, with additional locations in Canada, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. The company also served 1,307 independently owned Carquest branded stores across these locations in addition to Mexico and various Caribbean islands. Additional information about Advance, including employment opportunities, customer services, and online shopping for parts, accessories and other offerings can be found at
link hidden, please login to view. Fleishman-Hillard, Inc. and Advance Auto Parts commissioned Atomik Research to conduct an online survey of 1,004 drivers throughout the United States. The sample consists of adults who own or regularly operate a gasoline-powered vehicle — hybrid and EV drivers were excluded from the sample. The margin of error is +/- 3 percentage points with a confidence level of 95 percent. Fieldwork took place between January 9 and January 11, 2024.
* Based on 2021 independent survey of nationally representative sample of 1,200+ drivers.
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By Counterman
BendPak recently introduced its patent-pending Octa-Flex concept, a new two-post lift design that features two sets of arms: triple-telescoping swing arms plus all-new integrated lift-assist arms.
Octa-Flex is the world’s first two-post lift series with eight fully adjustable, telescoping lift arms, according to the company.
The EV12DPS Octa-Flex prototype makes its global premiere in booth 4569W at NADA Expo in Las Vegas, Feb. 2-4.
Octa-Flex offers all the functionality of a traditional two-post lift, while enabling technicians to perform tasks such as tackle cab-off repairs without the help of additional component-handling equipment or a second tech.
While the primary lift arms hold the vehicle, the unique Octa-Flex lift-assist arms can be used to help safely and ergonomically lift and maneuver heavy vehicle components such as EV battery packs, drivetrains, tires and wheel assemblies with precision, ensuring seamless workflow while reducing the risk of workplace injuries, BendPak noted.
When they’re not needed, the powered lift-assist arms can be moved up out of the way, so the lift can be used as a standard two-post model.
“Octa-Flex lift-assist arms act like that second set of hands you wish you had when you need to remove a 1,200-pound EV battery or wrestle 100-pound wheels and tires off a truck,” said Jeff Kritzer, BendPak president and CEO. “Now you don’t have to ‘put your back into it’ or grab a buddy. Our Octa-Flex lifts will help technicians get more work done with less physical effort and strain.”
link hidden, please login to view The three-stage arms extend and retract further than any other thanks to a patent-pending design that enables the inner arm tubes to retract fully through the back of the arm assembly and even beyond the arm pin itself, providing unfettered access to a wide range of vehicle lifting points, according to BendPak.
Their lower profile and dropped-end pad receiver lets them access hard-to-reach lifting points with less chance of damage to vehicle side skirts, running boards or ground effects, even on low-slung sportscars or EVs.
The Octa-Flex concept also features BendPak’s patent-pending Automatic Swing Arm Restraint System (ASARS) to keep the primary lift arms in place.
ASARS provides twice as much holding grip as traditional systems, according to the company. Its 360 degrees of forged steel teeth secure the arms in place to withstand more than 2,000 pounds of side force that can be generated during vehicle service. The adaptive system requires minimal operator involvement to set and release, while providing maximum peace of mind.
A Clear-Floor Design
The Octa-Flex concept is a clear-floor design delivering unobstructed floor space for moving toolboxes, transmission jacks and other equipment under elevated vehicles. It is built to deliver long service life with single-piece columns for strength, ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene load bearings that never need lubrication, super-tall lift carriages to minimize stress on components and industrial-grade hydraulic cylinders, according to the company.
Designed for versatility, Octa-Flex Series lifts feature BendPak’s Bi-Metric reversible swing arms that enable the lift operator to set the lift in either symmetric or asymmetric configurations.
BendPak said it is committed to further enhancing the Octa-Flex concept in the coming months. Anticipated for fall 2024, the global launch will encompass models with rated capacities of both 10,000 and 12,000 pounds.
Learn more and check out the EV12DPS Octa-Flex prototype at NADA Expo booth 4569W at the Las Vegas Convention Center, Feb. 2-4, visit
link hidden, please login to view or call 805-933-9970. The post
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