FLUID LEVELS
Start with the engine oil level, radiator coolant level and brake fluid level. Check each these levels first thing in the morning while the engine is still off and not warm. Next you will want to check the transmission fluid level. Start your vehicle and let it warm up for a few minutes. The transmission fluid level must be checked with the engine running. Some Chrysler vehicles require you to put the transmission in neutral to get an accurate reading (refer to your owner's manual for more information). Remember to always set your emergency brake when checking your transmission fluid. If any of these levels are low, top them off immediately to prevent major damage and schedule an appointment with Harrell & Beverly Transmissions to have the fluid loss evaluated.

TIRE PRESSURES
Correct tire pressures are very important; it helps provide better gas mileage, it keeps the ride smooth and it maximizes vehicle handling. You will want to check the tire pressures and tire condition for your tow vehicle and trailer. If your tires are wearing thin, dry cracked, cut or damaged in any other way have them repaired or replaced immediately. Do not forget about the spare tires for your tow vehicle and for your trailer.

BELTS AND HOSES
Check the condition of your belts and hoses. Weak hoses and belts will fail under extreme vehicle operating conditions leaving you stranded on the side of the road. If your belts are dry cracked or crystallized it is time to have them replaced.

   



LIGHTS
Check the operation of the lights for your tow vehicle and your trailer. Have someone walk around the vehicle while you operate the head lights, turn signals, brake lights and running lights. If any are defective have them replaced before your next trip (you want people to see you and know what you are doing when towing). Spraying WD-40 or similar product into the pig tail wiring connector will help reduce corrosion due to submersion in water. Recommended tip: to reduce the possibility of tail and brake light fuse failure (electrical short due to water conductivity) disconnect the trailer wiring from the tow vehicle when launching and retrieving the boat. REMEMBER TO RECONNECT THE WIRING HARNESS TO THE TOW VEHICLE BEFORE LEAVING THE BOAT RAMP.

ROUTINE MAINTENANCE
Florida's summer heat and stop-and-go driving are brutal on your tow vehicle, reducing its longevity and performance. Add the weight of your trailer and you have a recipe for major problems if you don't take the necessary precautions. The following service intervals are recommended: service your transmission once a year or every 15,000 miles, service your engine every 3,000 miles, service your differential(s) every 30,000 miles, have your coolant system evaluated once a year (extended life coolant can be serviced every 50,000 to 100,000 miles), have your tires rotated every 5,000 miles, and clean the fuel injection system once a year. Some manufacturers say their transmissions could be serviced at intervals that range from 50,000 to 100,000 miles. They also want to sell you another vehicle as soon as possible. These recommended service intervals are assuming ideal driving conditions like not having any stop-n-go traffic, no hot weather and no towing.

SAFETY
Perform a safety inspection before each trip. Make sure that the pin securing the ball mount to the receiver is intact, the hitch coupler is secured, spring bar hinges are tight with the safety clips in place (load equalizer or weight distributing hitches), safety chains are properly attached and the electrical plug is properly installed.

PRACTICE TRAILER BACKING
Backing a trailer into tight places is easier than it looks, but it does take some practice. It's best to practice in a parking lot and in a vehicle that allows you to see the trailer through the rear window. Vans, trucks and campers that have obstructed rear views require more practice and the use of side mirrors. In either case, be patient, and make steering adjustments slowly and a little at a time.
Tip: The easiest way to remember which way the trailer turns when you turn your steering wheel is to place your hand on the BOTTOM of the steering wheel. Now, wherever you want the trailer to go, just move your hand in that direction.

WATCH YOUR TONGUE WEIGHT
How a trailer handles down the road depends upon tongue weight. Too much weight will cause the rear of the trailer to sway and make the tow vehicle difficult to control. The tongue weight should not exceed 200 pounds for trailer up to 2,000 pounds. Tongue weight for trailers over 2,000 pounds should be 10% to 15% of the trailer's loaded weight.

KEEP BEARINGS GREASED
Wheel bearings are the heart of trailers. They need to remain airtight and packed with fresh grease. Poorly greased bearings will overheat and deteriorate, creating serious problems if they fail. They should be inspected and repacked at least once a year, depending upon the amount of use. Lay your hand on your wheel hubs after traveling. If they feel unusually warm, you may have a problem. But why wait? Routine maintenance is good prevention.

GO WIDE ON TURNS
Be careful making sharp turns or sudden moves when trailering. The trailer tends to cut corners more sharply than the tow vehicle which can be dangerous when cutting corners close to curbs, other vehicles and road-side obstructions. Striking solid objects at an angle can cause tire damage, and more importantly, cause you to lose control momentarily. 

BE A WEIGHT WATCHER
When loading, balance the cargo with 60 percent of the weight near the front.

SECURE THE TRAILER
Keep the safety chains provided on most trailers fastened securely to the tow vehicle in case the hitch fails. Cross the chains under the trailer tongue and allow slack for turning. For additional security, padlock the trailer hitch to the tow vehicle. That will also prevent someone from stealing the trailer while you're away from the vehicle.

MAKE SURE YOUR VEHICLE HAS TOWING POWER
Just because a vehicle has the power to pull a loaded trailer down the road doesn't mean it has the guts to haul it up steep hills, or that brakes are capable of holding it on a steep incline. Follow manufacturers' towing guidelines and never exceed tow limits. Too much trailer weight can cause an accident, or pull the tow vehicle down a steep incline.

1. Don’t Leave The Shift Lever In Park (P) Without The Parking Brake On.
   If another vehicle were to even tap yours in the front or back while parked it could cause a part inside your transmission (the parking pawl) to break leaving your vehicle to roll down the street unattended.
   
   
2. Don’t Downshift To “Brake” At Traffic Lights.
   A forced downshift at high engine RPM causes excessive wear on transmission friction components (clutches and bands).
   
   
3. Don’t Place Shift Lever in Drive or Reverse when engine is at “Fast Idle”.
   This can cause abrupt transmission engagement leading to early failure of clutches, bands, gear sets, drive line components and engine or transmission mountings.
   
   
4. Don’t Drag Race.
   Unless your vehicle was specifically designed for that purpose it cannot sustain that form of abuse. You run the risk of damaging all drive line components.
   
   
5. Don’t Use Your Shift Lever Instead of Your Brake.
   Before reversing direction your car must be at a complete stop. Using the transmission to stop the vehicle will lead to premature transmission failure.
   
   
6. Don’t Rock Your Car in Sand or Snow.
   Dig it out or have it towed. Both are less expensive than the damage you may cause by quick shifting between Reverse (R) and Drive (D) over and over again. The excessive heat that is caused by such action can burn out a transmission in a very short period of time.
   
   
7. Don’t Drive Until The Engine Warms Up.
   For your transmission to perform properly, the fluid must be at operating temperature. Give it a few minutes and it will give you better and longer service.
   
   
8. Don’t Let Anyone Tow Your Vehicle With The Drive Wheels on the Ground.
   Rear wheel drive vehicles must be towed with the rear wheels off the ground. Front wheel drive with the front wheels in the air. All wheel or full time four-wheel drive vehicles should be flat towed (all four wheels off the ground) Not sure? Check your owner’s manual. Improper towing can cause serious damage!
   
   
9. Don’t Stop Suddenly.
   Like fast starts, sudden stops can damage drive train components like engine and transmission mounts. These can lead to transmission damage. After any sudden emergency stop, it would be wise to have your mounts checked.
   
   
10. Don’t Play Transmission “Doctor”.
    Over the counter additives that are supposed to stop leaks or make the transmission shift better many times contain chemicals that may cause worn seals to swell. This can interfere with the function of these operating rubber parts and lead to severe damage.
    
    
    

IF YOU THINK YOU HAVE A TRANSMISSION PROBLEM DO NOT DO THE FOLLOWING

1. Don’t Let Your Buddy, Or Any Unqualified Person, Try To Fix It In His Driveway.
   He will do more harm than good and cost you more in the long run.
   
   
2. Don’t Have Anyone Install A Used Transmission From A Junkyard Or Out Of Another
   Vehicle That Has Not Been Evaluated By A Professional.
   Transmission failure is partially a function of age and mileage. There is no way to tell if that used transmission has been abused or how many miles it really has on it. In addition, it may not be an exact match with yours leading to all types of control problems especially with today’s sophisticated electronic transmissions. How Many Times Would You Want To Pay Someone To Install One Of These Before Finding One That Will Last?
   
   
3. Don’t Be Misled By Terminology.
   Customers are many times led to believe that they are purchasing a “NEW” transmission when, in reality, it is either remanufactured, rebuilt, reconditioned,
   or repaired. While the transmission may be new to their vehicle it is, in most cases, not new. Brand new transmissions would cost outrageous amounts of money and are hardly ever installed by anyone, even new car dealers.
   
   
4. Don’t Go Back To The New Car Dealer unless the vehicle is under the manufacturer’s original warranty.
   Harrell & Beverly Transmissions can provide service under most “Extended
   Warranty Plans”. We can usually perform necessary repairs and services more quickly and with the peace of mind in knowing the work is being done by professionals who specialize in transmissions.
   
   
5. Don’t allow anyone to install a rebuilt or repaired transmission in your vehicle without first performing a diagnostic evaluation to determine if such an extensive operation is even necessary.
   
   
6. Don’t Shop For Prices Over The Phone.
   Many customers ask “How much for a transmission?” At that point most don’t even now if they need one. Would you want to pay for a transmission you don’t need? Prices quoted over the phone may be “low ball” amounts just to get you to come in, or they may not include everything you need, leading to unhappy surprises later on.
   
   
7. Don’t Trade Your Car In Just Because It Has A Transmission Problem.
   If the car is in good condition having the transmission repaired can be a much more cost effective solution than committing to the long-term investment in a replacement vehicle. After all, you know what you have now; you don’t always know what you’re going to get. Even if you decide to trade it in at a later date, a car with a properly functioning transmission will bring a lot more than one that has a problem. So the investment you make to repair it can easily bring you a good return.
   
   
8. Don’t Add Store Bought Transmission Fluid Additives.
   In many cases they do more harm than good. Always check with a transmission Professional before adding anything.
   
   
9. Don’t Let General Repair Mechanics Experiment With Your Transmission.
   Only Certified Transmission Technicians will have the equipment and capability to diagnose and repair your transmission properly the first time. A good general repair mechanic will recommend that you see a transmission professional.
   
   
10. Don’t Bring Your Transmission Problem To A “Fly By Night” Repair Shop.
    Get references. Check with Consumer Affairs and your local Chamber of Commerce. If you want to be assured of accurate diagnosis and top quality service bring it to a name you know and can trust, Harrell & Beverly Transmissions.