Shifty Letters PRNDL (Transmission)

July 16, 2023

You probably figured out those shifty letters. They're what you see on your automatic transmission shifter and stand for Park, Reverse, Neutral, Drive and Low. Your automatic transmission is one of the great automotive inventions; here are some ways you can keep yours working well. Maintain you... More

Transmission Service at Tuffy Tire & Auto Service Columbus in Columbus

June 25, 2023

Let's talk about transmission service. It can be easy for Columbus drivers to forget about getting their transmission serviced because it doesn't need it very often. It's easier for people in Ohio to remember to change the engine oil - you know, every 3,000 miles or 5,000 kilometers. But proper t... More

Combustion Choreography: Timing Belt Replacement at Tuffy Tire & Auto Service Columbus in Columbus

April 30, 2023

Have you ever seen a ballet performance? Have you wondered how all of those dancers manage to travel all over the stage jumping and twirling and never crash into each other? That's the job of a choreographer.Our auto engines are also highly choreographed. Pistons travel up and down inside cylinde... More

Not-So-Smooth Operator (Transmission Signs of Trouble)

January 29, 2023

You are heading down a flat, newly paved street when all of a sudden you feel it. Your vehicle jumps a little bit when you're accelerating and changing gears. You know it's not the surface of the road because it's smooth as silk. So what did you just feel? That kind of jumpingor grinding or sl... More

Fears and Gears (Signs of Automatic Transmission Problems)

May 22, 2022

Automatic transmissions rule. The old days of shifting your own gears are a thing of the past for most drivers. But automatic transmission trouble can be a big inconvenience for any driver if it comes at the wrong time in the wrong place. Here are some signs to look out for that may mean you ar... More

Automotive Tips from Tuffy Tire & Auto Service Columbus: A Broken or Damaged Timing Belt

January 1, 2020

The timing belt rotates the cam shafts which open and close the valves that allow air, fuel, and exhaust to flow through the engine as it powers your car when you drive around Columbus.An old timing belt can lose a tooth in the belt allowing it to slip. The engine could stop or misfire. Timing be... More

Automotive Tips from Tuffy Tire & Auto Service Columbus: Timing Belt Overview

December 8, 2019

In your engine, valves over each combustion chamber open to allow fresh air in, close during the combustion event, and then other valves open to let out the exhaust. All of this happens over and over thousands of times a minute when you are driving around Columbus. The timing belts important job ... More

Ask Tuffy Tire & Auto Service Columbus: What Happens When a Serpentine Belt Breaks?

April 28, 2019

The serpentine belt is aptly named since it snakes around under your hood. It may lack its namesake's fangs, but it sure packs a wallop when it breaks.The serpentine belt powers a lot of engine systems. It runs the alternator, which charges the battery; the water pump (on some vehicles), which co... More

Transmission Care in Columbus, Ohio

January 21, 2019

Do you have any plans around Columbus, Ohio, for the weekend? Maybe you and some friends are taking the boat up to the lake. Maybe you'll be having a lot of fun water skiing and doing a little fishing.You got the boat all ready. It's all gassed up. You packed lots of snacks and the cooler... More

Good Timing: Proper Timing Belt Replacement Saves Money for Columbus Drivers

November 25, 2018

Knowing how their engine works can help Columbus drivers make informed decisions about auto care and prevent repairs to their vehicles. This is especially true when it comes to timing belts.An engine's power is generated in the cylinders. Inside the cylinder is a piston that moves up and down wh... More