Tips to Maintain the Electronic Throttle Unit in Your Car

Posted on | 19 Jan 2019 By Anita Gaal

Servicing the throttle unit is not a part of most maintenance routines, so it’s important to take steps to maintain the electronic throttle unit in your car. In this article, we will go over the function and importance of the electronic throttle unit, and tips to help maintain the electronic throttle unit in your car.

What is an electronic throttle unit and why does it need to be serviced?

A throttle body, or throttle unit, is an electronic device that operates the throttle valve. Modern cars have a drive-by-wire system that operates by pressing the accelerator pedal, which then sends a signal to the computer that controls and activates the throttle valve.

Making sure your electronic throttle unit is working well is extremely important because the throttle valve regulates air flow to the engine, and this process controls the engine RPMs. An electric motor inside the throttle unit serves to open and close the throttle valve. The throttle unit helps to maintain the speed of an idle engine, so making sure your electric throttle unit is in good shape is important for the performance and health of your engine.

In order to make sure your electronic throttle unit is well maintained, try to follow some of the tips below.

Keep An Eye on Idle Engine RPMs

Since the main function of the electronic throttle unit is to regulate the idle engine RPMs, it’s a good practice to make sure that the RPMs stay within a normal range. Usually, your engine should stay between 550 and 750 RPMs while idling. If your engine is running significantly above or below this range while you’re stopped, it might be a good idea to check your electronic throttle unit.

Check for Carbon Buildup

Most electronic throttle unit problems are related to the buildup of carbon around the unit and under the hood, so it’s always a good idea to check under the hood. You want to make sure that the electronic throttle unit isn’t being impeded because of carbon buildup, so being conscious of this problem will help you to maintain your electric throttle unit.

Make Sure the Electronic Throttle Unit is Cleaned During Service

Because the electronic throttle unit can fail due to a buildup of carbon or other solids, it’s important to make sure your electronic throttle unit is being cleaned during general service visits. Although many people avoid taking their car in for a tune-up, it’s important to make sure everything is clean and running smoothly. When you take your car in for a regular service or tune-up, ask your auto technician to check on the electronic throttle unit. If the electronic throttle unit is cleaned regularly, there is a less likely chance that it will need to be replaced.

Can I clean the electronic throttle unit myself?

Although the internet suggests you can clean the throttle unit yourself, it might not be a great idea. Some car manufacturers require a very specific procedure for cleaning the throttle unit, so it’s best to leave this job to a professional. If you don’t clean the throttle unit properly it could damage the unit, and it would be very expensive to replace the part completely. Because of this, we strongly suggest having any service to the throttle unit performed by a trusted and qualified technician.

Trust the Pros With Your Throttle

If your car is showing any signs of trouble with your electronic throttle unit, Euro Automotive can take care of it. In order to keep our clients safe, we clean and service electronic throttle units regularly. We take all of our client’s concerns very seriously and want to make sure that your engine is running without issue.

The team at Euro Automotive has years of experience with all European makes, and we can ensure that your electronic throttle unit will be inspected and cleaned. We understand the importance of having a car that runs well, which is why we pride ourselves on our attention to detail and honesty with all of our clients.

Our commitment to stellar customer service has impressed European car owners all over Texas, with many of our respected clients coming from Dallas, Garland, Arlington, and Fort Worth. We believe in providing the highest quality of service and repair to all of our clients, and we do everything we can to ensure your vehicle is running smoothly.

Symptoms Your Car’s Transaxle is Malfunctioning

Posted on | 2 Jan 2019 By Anita Gaal

Transaxles are used by both front-wheel and all-wheel-drive vehicles. Transaxles combine the transmission and differential into one inclusive assembly.

Transaxles are linked directly to the transmission system of a vehicle. Because the transaxle is a combination of both the transmission and the differential, it is important to make sure the transaxle is functioning properly. One of many good reasons to keep your eye out for symptoms of a malfunctioning transaxle is that the longer a problem goes unchecked, the more expensive it will be to fix. It is also good to keep an eye on the transaxle in order to ensure your car is performing properly. There are several problems that can point to a damaged or malfunctioning transaxle. In this article, we’ll go over some of the symptoms of a malfunctioning transaxle assembly.

Bumpy or Rough Shifting

If there is a rough shift between gears or if you have difficulty shifting from one gear to another, this may be a sign of transaxle malfunction. If you have this problem in addition to a bumpy or jerky feeling while shifting, it might be time to take your car to a skilled, trusted mechanic to make sure the transaxle is functioning properly.

Problems Shifting Gears

Experiencing slipped or missed gears can also indicate that the transaxle in your car is malfunctioning. This problem is more common in cars with a manual transmission than in cars with automatic transmissions, but if you experience this problem it is one of the symptoms associated with transaxle malfunction and failure.

Loud or Noisy Transmission

Another potential symptom of transaxle malfunctioning or failure is a loud or noisy transmission. This is characterized by a high-pitched whining noise, a combination of whining and grinding noises, or a strange gurgling noise. Some of these sounds are worse than others, but all are an indication that your transaxle is malfunctioning.

Unusual Burning Smell

A burning smell coming from your car should be alarming, no matter what the cause. If you notice a strong burning odor, it might be a warning sign that the transaxle in your car is malfunctioning or failing. In some cases, a burning smell occurs when a transmission overheats due to issues with the transmission fluid. Sometimes, the cause of a burning smell associated with the transmission or transaxle is simply due to an insufficient amount of transmission fluid.

Preventive Measures

If you are experiencing any of these issues, your transaxle might be in trouble. Since the transaxle assembly is an essential part of your car, it’s important to address any issues that might indicate a problem with the transaxle assembly. One way to ensure your that your transaxle isn’t at risk of malfunctioning is to change the transmission fluid every 6,000 miles. Doing so will reduce the possibility of a transaxle failure due to an insufficient amount of transmission fluid. Unfortunately, if you experience any other symptoms of your transaxle malfunctioning you should stop driving immediately, and bring your car in for service.

Euro Automotive

If your car is showing any symptoms of a malfunctioning transaxle, bring your car into Euro Automotive. In order to keep our client’s vehicles running smoothly, we diligently address any issues arising from a malfunctioning transaxle assembly.

The team at Euro Automotive has years of experience with all European vehicles, and we can ensure that your transaxle assembly is in great condition. We understand the importance of having a car that runs well, which is why we pride ourselves on keeping your vehicle running well. Our commitment to stellar customer service has earned us the loyalty of European car owners all over Texas, with many of our clients coming from Dallas, Garland, Arlington, and Fort Worth.

We believe in providing the highest quality of service and repair to all of our clients, and we do everything we can to ensure your vehicle is running smoothly, whether you need a major repair or basic maintenance. If you’re concerned about your transaxle assembly, or if you’ve experienced any of the symptoms explained above, contact us as soon as possible. Call or stop by to schedule an appointment so we can get your car running the way it should be.