Shifty Letters PRNDL (Transmission)
January 14, 2024
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
A Cool and Smooth Transmission in Chicago
October 22, 2023
When it comes to preventive maintenance on our vehicles, most of us Chicago drivers remember to get our oil changed. But services that occur at longer intervals like transmission service sometimes get overlooked. Yet transmission service is part of car care. A poorly maintained transmission wi... More
Not-So-Smooth Operator (Transmission Signs of Trouble)
March 26, 2023
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
Smooth Shifting in Chicago, Illinois: Transmission Service
December 4, 2022
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
Transmission Care in Chicago, Illinois
July 17, 2022
Do you have any plans around Chicago, Illinois, for the weekend? Maybe you and some friends are taking the boat up to the lake. Maybe you'll be having a lot of fun water skiing and doing a little fishing.You got the boat all ready. It's all gassed up. You packed lots of snacks and the cooler's s... More
Automotive Tips from Tuffy Chicago (Diversey Pkwy): A Broken or Damaged Timing Belt
March 6, 2022
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 Chicago.An old timing belt can lose a tooth in the belt allowing it to slip. The engine could stop or misfire. Timing bel... More
Fears and Gears (Signs of Automatic Transmission Problems)
February 27, 2022
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
Ask Tuffy Chicago (Diversey Pkwy): What Happens When a Serpentine Belt Breaks?
October 4, 2020
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
Combustion Choreography: Timing Belt Replacement at Tuffy Chicago (Diversey Pkwy) in Chicago
September 24, 2018
Have you ever seen a ballet performance? Have you wondered how all of those dancers manage to travel all over the stage jumping and twirling and never crash into each other? That's the job of a choreographer.Our auto engines are also highly choreographed. Pistons travel up and down inside cylinde... More
Good Timing: Proper Timing Belt Replacement Saves Money for Chicago Drivers
June 26, 2018
Knowing how their engine works can help Chicago 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 whi... More