JOIN US AT SANFORD'S ALIVE AFTER FIVE
Thursday June 12, 2008 from 5PM - 8PM - Downtown Sanford

Please join us on Thursday June 12, 2008 for Alive After Five in downtown Sanford. This month's theme is "Summer-Q Blues and Bar-Be-Q" Come by and enjoy live music, art and fun. We will have a booth with displays, free snacks and candy. We would love for you to stop by and say hello and check out all of the other participants!

The Alive After Five event allows visitors to enjoy a taste food, drinks and live entertainers on the second Thursday of every month. A small fee of $5 allows you to sample food and beverages at all of the different spots. The event is from 5-8 PM on 1st Street & Palmetto Avenue, in beautiful downtown Sanford. For more information check out www.sanfordinfo.com or call 407-302-2586.

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HOW TO PROPERLY CHECK YOUR TRANSMISSION FLUID LEVEL
Preventative maintenance is the key to keeping your vehicle working great
by Lloyd L. Beverly, ASE Master Technician

An important part of keeping your vehicle working great is checking your vehicle's fluid levels. From the radiator cooling system level all the way to the washer fluid level, all systems are crucial to the correct operation of your automobile. With that thought in mind, you might be asking yourself, "How do I check my transmission fluid level?" Checking your transmission fluid level is not as hard as you may think, however, you do need a basic understanding of how the transmission operates and if your manufacturer has provided you the means necessary to check the fluid level. Always consult your owner's manual when in doubt.

Most automatic transmissions can have their fluid level checked, but there is a rapidly increasing trend of automakers taking the conventional methods of checking the transmission fluid level away. Most automatic transmissions have a fill pipe with a dipstick to ensure the proper transmission fluid level is present. When this is the case, here are a few tips on how to make sure you are properly checking your automatic transmission fluid level.

1. On almost all vehicles, make sure the engine has run for at least 5 minutes; place the gear selector in either Park or Neutral with the engine running. Always set the emergency brake and place a wheel stop or chog in front of and behind a wheel.

2. Remove the transmission dipstick and wipe any fluid off. Reinsert the dipstick and remove it once again. There are a few different styles of dipsticks. The basic idea of them all is the same. You want to make sure the transmission fluid is with in the acceptable range, sometimes referred to as in the "hash marks". If it is at the upper or lower end or anywhere in between, then the level is acceptable. One piece of advice, all transmissions are different and sometimes fluid levels can be slightly above or below the acceptable ranges and in most cases this is normal.

3. If your fluid level is low and you would like to add fluid, again consult your owner's manual first to identify the proper fluid type. Once you have the correct fluid, insert a funnel into the fill pipe. It is recommended to add fluid 1 pint at a time so you won't overfill the transmission. After each pint is installed, work the transmission back and forth between Drive and Reverse to work out any air pockets. Then repeat step 2 until the proper fluid level is achieved.

Knowing the transmission fluid level is important. Knowing the condition of the fluid is equally as important. Transmission fluid should be red in color with no parched or burnt odor. As transmission fluid loses its lubrication properties and friction modifiers, it tends to become brown in color. A transmission tune up service should be completed every 15,000 miles or once a year, whichever comes first.

Our goal at Harrell & Beverly Transmissions is to give our customers the best information possible so they can make the best decisions possible. If you have any questions then give us a call at 407-322-8415 to set up an appointment or check us out on the web at www.harrellandbeverly.com