There’s a huge appeal to buying a used car from a private party seller. Bypass the dealership, the hidden fees, the markups, the hassle, and save yourself some money in the process. But what’s the risk? Have you found a deal or a dud?

Nobody wants to put an engine or transmission in their car. However, when that time comes, it’s important to make an informed decision - here are some things to consider when installing a used engine or transmission, from Tom Quirk Automotive in Albuquerque, NM.

It can be very alarming to hear unusual sounds coming from your vehicle. If you are hearing any humming, whining, or even clunking noises emitting from under your vehicle, it is most likely a transmission issue. Luckily, these noises can help you pinpoint what issue you may be having with your transmission. Some of these issues are minor and can be easily taken care of, but some of them are much more major and may require special attention and service. Read on to see just what your transmission problem may be.

Your transmission’s shift points are exactly what you think they are - the points at which your transmission shifts. From the transmission experts at Tom Quirk Automotive in Albuquerque, NM, here’s what you need to know about them.

At Tom Quirk Automotive in Albuquerque, our priority is keeping your transmission shifting smooth and running strong for years to come. While proper maintenance, driving habits, and a myriad of other conditions affect the life and reliability of a transmission, there are also ways to increase the overall efficiency of your unit, even above stock performance.

If you drive a car, truck, or SUV with a manual transmission, the pressure plate is an integral part of your vehicle. From Tom Quirk Automotive in Albuquerque, here’s what you need to know.

At Tom Quirk Automotive in Albuquerque, NM, transmissions are our specialty. We know exactly how they work and exactly how to maintain and repair one. You know you have a transmission, and you know it’s important, but what does it actually do? Here’s the simple answer to a complicated question.

The term “overdrive” is one you are most likely familiar with. What is overdrive though, really, and why is it important? Tom Quirk Automotive in Albuquerque, NM has the answer.

At Tom Quirk Automotive in Albuquerque, our goal is to keep your car, truck, or SUV shifting and riding as smoothly as it did the day it rolled off the lot. A big part of that is the mounting hardware that keeps the moving parts in your drivetrain running smooth.

Sometimes your car, truck, or SUV stops performing quite like it used to. At Tom Quirk Automotive in Albuquerque, we can fix that. A simple but common issue on vehicles equipped with a manual transmission is shifter bushing issues. Your shifter has a bushing on the end of it, where it connects to the actual transmission. Its purpose is to provide tight, smooth shifting. 

You’ve probably heard the term “transmission flush” before at some point in your automotive experience. But what exactly does it mean to have your transmission flushed, and why does it matter? Tom Quirk Automotive in Albuquerque, NM has the answers.

You’ve probably heard the term “transmission flush” before at some point in your automotive experience. But what exactly does it mean to have your transmission flushed, and why does it matter? Tom Quirk Automotive in Albuquerque, NM has the answers.

“Transfer case” is a term you may have heard in discussions about transmissions. But what is it, and what does it do? Tom Quirk Automotive in Albuquerque wants to keep you up to date and knowledgeable in your vehicle. Different aspects of your vehicle provide different issues and solutions.

At Tom Quirk Automotive in Albuquerque, we understand the importance of keeping up with and understanding the latest in automotive technology. Gone are the days when fluids and vacuum lines were all that controlled the function of your engine and transmission, and we’ve moved into an era where computer control reigns supreme.

You may occasionally hear the term “transaxle” used in place of “transmission” for your car or SUV. Is there a difference, and if so, what is it? Tom Quirk Automotive in Albuquerque is here to help.

You’ve heard the term “slipping transmission” before, and you know it’s nothing good. What exactly does a transmission slip feel like, and how much of a problem is it if your transmission is slipping? At Tom Quirk Automotive in Albuquerque, NM, our expert technicians have diagnosed and repaired every type of transmission issue in the book. Here’s a short explanation of transmission slippage, and what action you should take to get rid of it.

The condition of your transmission fluid can tell you a lot about the condition of the transmission itself. At Tom Quirk Automotive in Albuquerque, NM, we want to help you be aware of what to look for and what we look for when servicing your transmission. 

Your drivetrain is where most of the process of moving your vehicle occurs. The drivetrain includes all the parts powered by the engine to turn the wheels, including the transmission, axles, or driveshafts that combine efforts to propel your car forward (or backward, when you’re in reverse.) At Tom Quirk Automotive in Albuquerque, NM, our drivetrain specialists are well equipped to keep your car, truck, or SUV reliably on the road and running smoothly along.

Leaky transmissions can be a pain. Not only do they make a mess on the underside of your car, and in your driveway, but the transmission fluid is expensive and inconvenient to deal with. At from Tom Quirk Automotive in Albuquerque, NM we want you to be an informed driver so here’s some information about where transmission leaks start, and how to end them.

At Tom Quirk Automotive in Albuquerque, NM, we’ve seen and diagnosed every warning light in the book. Many people ignore their check engine light, and while it isn’t advised, often get away with it. Transmission warning lights are different, however. Here's what it means and what you should do when it comes on.