Back to all

It Pays to Take Care of Your Transmission at Tuffy Grand Rapids (Fuller Ave)

October 29, 2023

If you've been paying attention, you've noticed that vehicle engines are getting more and more powerful in Grand Rapids. At the same time, they are getting better and better fuel economy. I've gotta tell 'ya, most of that's because of technological advances in transmissions. To get a better understanding of why that is, let's talk bicycles.

You've probably seen plenty of cyclists on Grand Rapids roads. Perhaps you ride yourself. Then you know that a cyclist's cadence is the number of times per minute he or she pedals. The ideal pedal speed is the zone where they can most efficiently generate power over a sustained period of time. The experienced MI cyclist uses her gears to keep her pedal speed in the ideal zone whether she's climbing a hill, cruising on a flat stretch or killing a downhill.

Think of it this way: if you have a 1-speed bike, you really have to pump hard to get up to speed. Your top speed is limited by how fast as you can pedal. And if you're climbing a steep MI hill – forget about it.

Now let's add a couple of gears: one lower and another one higher. With the lower first gear, you can get up to your ideal pedal speed more quickly. When you shift to second, your pedal speed drops below ideal for a while as you work to get back to peak efficiency. Same thing happens when you shift to third, but now you can go much faster than you could with a 1-speed bike using the same effort. Add more gears and you can see that it's much easier to maintain ideal pedal speed. The result, quicker starts, better hill climbing, higher top speed and, most of all, a lot less fatigue for the Grand Rapids rider.

Like a cyclist on a bike, every vehicle engine has an ideal engine speed called its power band. When an engine is running in that zone, it can make power very efficiently. It's the vehicle transmission's job to keep the engine in the power band over a wide range of operating conditions. Today 5 or 6 speed automatic transmissions are pretty much the minimum, and 7 and 8 speeds are fairly common in Grand Rapids.

Obviously these sophisticated transmissions are very expensive. In fact, next to your vehicle engine, your transmission is the most expensive component in your vehicle, so it pays to take good care of it. Your manufacturer has a recommended service interval for changing your old, contaminated transmission fluid. Servicing your transmission on schedule at Tuffy Grand Rapids (Fuller Ave) keeps it operating at its best and can prevent costly damage. Ask your friendly and knowledgeable Tuffy Grand Rapids (Fuller Ave) advisor if it's time for transmission service. Come see why smart Grand Rapids drivers trust their transmissions to Tuffy Grand Rapids (Fuller Ave).

Give us a call.

Tuffy Grand Rapids (Fuller Ave)
1121 Fuller Ave. NE
Grand Rapids, MI 49503
616.458.8091
http://www.tuffyfullerave.com

Need Service?

Request a Quote

More articles from Tuffy Grand Rapids (Fuller Ave.)

How Your Check Engine Light Works

April 28, 2024

Have you ever had an experience like this in Grand Rapids, MI? You drive through the one of those automatic car washes. When you get to the end, where the dryer is blowing, your Check Engine light starts flashing!You fear the worst, but within a block or two, the light stops flashing, but stays o... More

Treat Your Vehicle to Good Tires at Tuffy Grand Rapids (Fuller Ave)

April 21, 2024

When we shop for shoes, most of us know that we can get two pairs of cheap shoes or one good pair for about the same price. And since the two cheap pairs wear out in about the same time as the good pair, there really is no difference in cost. If you like having a closet full of shoes to match yo... More

Know Your Towing Limits in Grand Rapids

April 14, 2024

Some Grand Rapids drivers figure that anything they can attach to their trailer hitch can be towed by their vehicle. Nope. If you're going to do any towing around Grand Rapids, you should be aware of safety issues, MI towing laws and potential liability.Understanding tow ratings is important for ... More