It is inevitable that the sun will rise and set each day - so too is the inevitability of clutch wear if you drive a vehicle with a manual transmission. Unlike the sun, however, you have a lot of control over how fast that wear occurs. Here’s some information on riding the clutch, and why you should stop doing it!

What is “riding the clutch”? - Let’s start by defining exactly what we’re talking about here. “Riding the clutch” is one of many phrases in automotive slang, which circumnavigates the explanation of something sort of complicated. Any time your clutch pedal hangs out in the purgatory between fully depressed and fully released, except for the purposes of shifting or acceleration, you’re riding the clutch. Avoid using the clutch pedal to manage speed as much as possible. If you’re sitting at a stoplight or a stop sign, you might catch yourself letting the clutch out halfway to keep the car at a standstill instead of using the brake, or taking advantage of the clutch to drive slowly.

Our fleet truck customers do not need to spend valuable time in the shop with transmission issues due that could have been avoided by servicing their fleet vehicles based on their owner's manual recommendations!  Especially if it is simply changing a clogged filter, changing fluids or clutch issues!  Our transmission technicians here at Blue Lakes Auto Repair in Twin Falls believe that service = saving high repair bills!   Therefore, we believe in a proactive approach!

Four-wheel and all-wheel drive vehicles are becoming very popular. While they have some practical advantages they do require different maintenance techniques. Your vehicle has to be ready to take on the challenges of your driving style or terrain in the area and in order to keep those service bills down and avoid any costly repairs it's important to be pro-active. Here is everything you need to know about your four-wheel-drive truck as well as some of the things our technicians at Blue Lakes Auto Repair in Twin Falls, ID check every time you visit our shop to ensure we take care of any issue you might have.

Your vehicle configuration determines how it should be properly towed to avoid transmission damage. Specifically, it matters if your vehicle is front-wheel drive or rear-wheel drive and whether it’s an automatic or a manual. From the professionals at Blue Lakes Auto Repair in Twin Falls, ID, here’s how to tow your vehicle:

Your vehicle configuration determines how it should be properly towed to avoid transmission damage. Specifically, it matters if your vehicle is front-wheel drive or rear-wheel drive and whether it’s an automatic or a manual. From the professionals at Blue Lakes Auto Repair in Twin Falls, ID, here’s how to tow your vehicle:

While transmissions are extremely complicated and it takes a professional hand to work on one, taking care of the one you have isn’t difficult. At Blue Lakes Auto Repair in Twin Falls, ID, we understand the importance of caring for your transmission properly, so that it stays in good condition for as long as possible.

The hydraulic system in your transmission is responsible for telling the mechanical components what to do, and when to do it. In order to better understand how your transmission works, it’s important to understand the mechanical components of it.

The differentials on your Ford, Chevrolet, or Dodge diesel pickup are some of the hardest working components on your truck. At Blue Lakes Auto Repair in Twin Falls, ID, our technicians are experts in maintaining, repairing, and replacing differentials, keeping your truck working reliable just as much as you do.

Automatic transmissions aren’t easily understood outside of specialists like those at Blue Lakes Auto Repair in Twin Falls, ID. While it would be impossible to teach you enough to make you a transmission expert in a series of articles, what we can do is give you the fundamental knowledge you need to have a good idea of what your transmission is doing, and how it works.

Manual transmissions aren’t necessarily simple, but they’re much easier to understand in concept than their automatic counterparts. You’re probably aware there are gears in manual transmissions - but there’s a little more to it than that. Here are some of the major components you’ll find in a manual transmission.

Shafts - There are three main shafts inside a manual transmission. There’s an input shaft where engine power is transferred via the clutch, and that drives the layshaft, also known as the countershaft. The countershaft has different sized gears to achieve various gear ratios. Corresponding gears on the countershaft connect to the output shaft. The output shaft is connected to the driveshaft, which powers the differential. 

Transmission trouble codes are particularly annoying to the average driver. You might know what a misfire is, but what does it mean when you get a code for a failed governor pressure solenoid? Fortunately, Blue Lakes Auto Repair in Twin Falls, ID is here to help.

At Blue Lakes Auto Repair in Twin Falls, ID, we’ve witnessed our fair share of burnt out and broken clutches. While clutch failure is an inevitability, there are a variety of ways to make sure yours lasts as long as possible.

At Blue Lakes Auto Repair, there’s a reason we’re the top rated truck repair center in Twin Falls, ID; we do it all. While many shops shy away from the more complicated aspects of truck repair, we have the tools and people to get the job done.

For all your transmission repair and maintenance needs, trust the specialists with the knowledge and ability necessary to keep your car, truck, or SUV reliably on the road. At Blue Lakes Auto Repair in Twin Falls, ID, we prioritize quality over everything. A huge aspect of that goal is keeping up with the technology of the modern era.

Though transmissions are generally reliable, there are a great number of issues that can develop with one. From Blue Lakes Auto Repair in Twin Falls, ID, here’s a general overview of the types of problems your transmission may develop, all of which we service and repair.

Once you have an idea of how the major components of your transmission operate, it’s time to bring them all together. In its most complex terms, a truck’s automatic transmission takes a lot to understand. However, at Blue Lakes Auto Repair in Twin Falls, ID, we like to keep things simple when we can. We want you to understand exactly what's going on with your car, truck, or SUV. Here’s a rundown of how everything works together.

Once you have an idea of how the major components of your transmission operate, it’s time to bring them all together. In its most complex terms, a truck’s automatic transmission takes a lot to understand. However, at Blue Lakes Auto Repair in Twin Falls, ID, we like to keep things simple when we can. We want you to understand exactly what's going on with your car, truck or SUV. Here’s a rundown of how everything works together.

Transmission slippage can be caused by a variety of factors that are sometimes difficult to pin down. From Blue Lakes Auto Repair in Twin Falls, ID, here’s a rundown of the more common issues that may cause a transmission to slip.

Worn/Burnt Clutches - Your truck’s transmission is packed with clutches that allow it to engage or disengage. If they’ve become worn or damaged, they won’t work properly, and your transmission will slip. Typically, there are other issues at hand that result in damaged clutches, and the clutches themselves require the entire transmission to be broken down in order for them to be replaced. Most of the time, a rebuild or replacement will be in order.

Transmission slippage can be caused by a variety of factors that are sometimes difficult to pin down. From Blue Lakes Auto Repair in Twin Falls, ID, here’s a rundown of the more common issues that may cause a transmission to slip. Our highly trained technicians are ready to get you going with a top transmission.

Transmission slippage can be caused by a variety of factors that are sometimes difficult to pin down. From Blue Lakes Auto Repair in Twin Falls, ID, here’s a rundown of the more common issues that may cause a transmission to slip. Our highly trained technicians are ready to get you going with a top transmission.