Tag Archives: Responsible

Cars

How To Perform A Transmission Flush On Your Vehicle

transmission fluid draining Setta Sornnoi/Shutterstock

Your automobile’s transmission is a crucial a part of its anatomy. It’s chargeable for taking the uncooked energy created by the engine and scaling it down to varied driving conditions. The transmission is what makes it attainable to drive at totally different speeds, take off from a cease, and decelerate when it is time to decelerate. But the transmission is not only a magic field that does all of that by itself. Transmissions work utilizing a selected sort of hydraulic fluid. This pressurized fluid helps actuate valves contained in the transmission, transfer gears, and lubricate all transferring elements. While transmission fluid is sturdy and long-lasting, it is topic to degradation over time and can ultimately lose its means to assist your transmission operate correctly.

Because transmission fluid breaks down over time, it have to be changed periodically. Most producers present particular schedules for transmission fluid flushes and replacements. A transmission flush is a comparatively easy process, however the steps can range relying in your automobile’s make and mannequin. There’s additionally a distinction between a transmission flush and a transmission fluid change.

Generally, a flush entails draining the transmission fluid, connecting a machine or different equipment to the transmission cooler traces to purge any remaining previous fluid, after which refilling the system with recent fluid. However, some autos require further steps, like changing the transmission fluid filter and putting in a brand new pan gasket. A transmission fluid change, then again, is an easy drain and fill process. Typically, a drain and fill is all you may have to do, as flushes are extra time-consuming and require extra gear. That stated, there are methods to carry out a flush at residence for those who’re a assured DIYer. Let’s dive in and take a deeper have a look at transmission flushes and learn how to carry out them.

How to flush an automated transmission

person removing automatic transmission filter Setta Sornnoi/Shutterstock

Flushing your transmission is a reasonably simple job. However, the process can differ barely from automobile to automobile and relying in your transmission sort. For automatic transmissions, together with continuously variable transmissions (CVTs), the steps are comparatively comparable.

  1. Lift the car off the bottom.

  2. Remove the transmission fluid drain plug or take away the pan and permit the previous fluid to empty (you may must take away the pan it doesn’t matter what for those who plan to switch the filter).

  3. Remove the previous filter and exchange it whereas the pan is off.

  4. Clean the previous gasket materials and the drain pan mating floor earlier than putting in a brand new gasket.

  5. Torque the pan bolts to their correct specification.

  6. Replace the drain plug if relevant.

  7. Lower the automobile and take away the transmission fluid dipstick.

  8. Measure the quantity of fluid that you simply drained from the transmission, and add that very same quantity of clean fluid to the transmission by way of the dipstick tube.

  9. Locate your automobile’s transmission cooler traces.

  10. Attach one finish of a hose to the outlet or return line and place the opposite finish in a bucket or drain pan.

  11. Start the engine.

  12. Allow the brand new fluid to empty into your bucket (that is the flushing process that can filter out any grime and gunk from the transmission).

  13. Continue including extra fluid to the transmission till the liquid leaving the return hose appears to be like vibrant purple and clear.

  14. Turn off the engine and reconnect the return line.

  15. Start the engine and test your transmission fluid degree utilizing the dipstick.

  16. Add extra fluid till the extent is inside the applicable vary.

  17. Test drive your automobile.

How to flush a sealed transmission

pump for a transmission flush Setta Sornnoi/Shutterstock

A sealed transmission doesn’t have a dipstick, which means you possibly can’t test the fluid degree or fill the transmission with new fluid from the engine bay. Instead, these transmissions sometimes have a drain gap and a fill gap positioned immediately on the transmission. Flushing a sealed transmission is considerably extra advanced than flushing an unsealed one. You’ll want a pump, which you will discover at most auto elements shops, a chunk of hose, and a transparent container.

  1. Check your car restore handbook to find out your automobile’s total transmission fluid capability.

  2. Remove the transmission drain plug and permit the fluid to empty into a transparent container.

  3. When the fluid stops draining, exchange the drain plug.

  4. Measure the quantity of fluid that drained out of the pan.

  5. Locate the fill plug and use your pump so as to add the identical quantity of recent fluid that you simply beforehand drained.

  6. Locate the transmission cooler hoses and disconnect the return line.

  7. Attach a chunk of hose to the return line and place the opposite finish in your clear container.

  8. Start the engine and drain one quart into the container.

  9. Stop the engine and use your pump so as to add one quart to the transmission.

  10. Repeat this process till you’ve got drained and added the utmost fluid capability in your automobile (at that time, the fluid leaving the return hose ought to be purple and clear).

  11. Replace the fill plug.

  12. Take your car for a check drive.

How to flush a handbook transmission

person installing transmission pan Setta Sornnoi/Shutterstock

Manual transmissions differ from automated transmissions in that they are much easier and simpler to keep up. These transmissions wouldn’t have filters or cooler traces, which means you possibly can’t flush them in the identical sense that you would be able to flush an automated transmission. Instead, in the case of servicing a handbook transmission, you may mainly simply be performing a drain and fill. Manual transmissions might be sealed or unsealed, which means you might want a pump to finish the process. You can decide whether or not your automobile has a sealed transmission by checking the engine bay for a transmission fluid dipstick. Follow the process under to switch the fluid in your handbook transmission.

  1. Lift the automobile off the bottom.

  2. Remove the transmission drain plug or the pan and permit the fluid to empty.

  3. Replace the plug or pan (for those who eliminated the pan, you may want to switch the gasket and retorque the bolts to their correct specification).

  4. If your transmission is sealed, measure the fluid that you simply drained and pump the identical quantity of unpolluted fluid in via the fill gap.

  5. If your transmission is unsealed, decrease the automobile and fill the transmission with the suitable quantity of fluid.

  6. Start the engine and let it run whilst you proceed to test the fluid degree.

  7. Add extra fluid if essential.

  8. Take your automobile for a check drive.

When do you should carry out a transmission flush?

person checking transmission fluid dipstick Setta Sornnoi/Shutterstock

Your automobile’s producer offers a upkeep schedule for routine companies, together with transmission fluid flushes. The intervals will depend upon numerous elements, together with your car’s make and mannequin, the kind of transmission it makes use of, and the kind of fluid. You can discover this info in your proprietor’s handbook, your restore handbook, or by contacting your native dealership. However, most vehicles want a transmission fluid service each 30,000 to 100,000 miles.

Outside of standard transmission service, you might want to switch your fluid for those who expertise any signs of transmission injury. Some of the most typical indicators that your transmission fluid is unhealthy embrace an overheating transmission, dashboard warning lights, jerky or irregular shifting, and stalling points. Over time, transmission fluid can accumulate particles and steel shavings. It’s important that you simply exchange the fluid repeatedly to avoid damage and preserve your transmission shifting easily. The finest technique to shield your transmission is to observe your producer’s directions and sustain with a routine upkeep schedule.

Motorsport

Legendary Lamborghini Designer Marcello Gandini Has Died

Marcello Gandini, legendary designer answerable for quite a few Italian vehicles, has died, in response to RaiNews, Italy’s state-owned information outlet. He was 85 years outdated.

Gandini was best-known for his work with Lamborghini, the place he was answerable for designing poster vehicles just like the Miura, the Countach, and the Diablo. He was additionally the designer behind icons just like the Lancia Stratos, the Bugatti EB110, and the Fiat X1/9.

The Turin-born designer created his most well-known designs whereas working at Italian design home Bertone from the mid-Nineteen Sixties till 1980, penning the strains for vehicles just like the Alfa Romeo Montreal, the Maserati Khamsin, the unique Volkswagen Polo, and the Ferrari 308 GT4.

Gandini branched out and away from Bertone later in his profession, working independently with automakers like Citroën to develop the favored BX and Renault to design the now-iconic 5 Turbo hatchback. Other notable Gandini designs embrace the unique BMW 5 Series, the Lamborghini Espada, and the Cizeta-Moroder V16T.

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Even later in life Gandini continued to pursue design. He labored with TaTa Motors in 2017 to create the TaMo Racemo, a sportscar idea proven on the Geneva Motor Show. He additionally concerned himself within the industrial and furnishings design areas. In January, Gandini was awarded an honorary diploma in mechanical engineering by the Polytechnic Institute of Turin. 

A funeral chapel is being organized in Gandini’s Almese design studio, set to be held Thursday from 3:00 P.M. to 7:00 P.M., and Friday 10:00 A.M to 12:00 P.M. native time, in response to RaiNews. The funeral itself is anticipated to be held on Friday night or Saturday.

 
News

France: FFM Motorcycle Discovery Days Is Back For 2023

The French Motorcycling Federation (FFM) is responsible for all things two wheels in France. The FFM takes care of heritage initiatives such as shows, museums, and events, as well as motorsports activities like track days and racing. It can be described as the guardian of motorcycle culture in France. Apart from providing activities for today’s riders, the organization is also focused on nurturing the next generation of two-wheeler enthusiasts.

For the past two years, the FFM has been organizing Motorcycle Discovery Days to introduce young people to the world of motorcycles. The event aims to make motorsports, particularly motorcycle racing, more accessible to aspiring enthusiasts. Just like other sports such as cycling, football, or tennis, the FFM believes that young people should have the opportunity to get involved in motorcycle racing too.

France: FFM Motorcycle Discovery Days Is Back For 2023

The FFM Motorcycle Discovery Days are designed for youngsters aged six and above. The event provides an opportunity for them to learn about and experience different motorcycle disciplines, including motocross, enduro, trials, and road racing. Professional trainers, teachers, and coaches are present to ensure the safety and enjoyment of all participants.

In an official press release, Sebastien Poirier expressed his excitement for the 2023 Motorcycle Discovery Days, stating that the event represents a unifying national initiative to develop motorcycle sport. It allows the sport to be more accessible to the public and contributes to its democratization. Many structures and opportunities will be available for young people to discover the world of motorcycling in a safe environment.

The 2023 FFM Motorcycle Discovery Days will take place from September 9 to 10, 2023, in 70 locations across France. This allows people from various regions to participate in grassroots motorsports without having to travel long distances. For more details and information about the 2023 Motorcycle Discovery Days, you can visit the FFM’s official webpage linked below.

France: FFM Motorcycle Discovery Days Is Back For 2023
Volkswagen

Volkswagen Group Releases Third Responsible Raw Materials Report

The latest Responsible Raw Materials Report from Volkswagen Group focuses on making adjustments to management systems and processes in compliance with the Supply Chain Due Diligence Act, which became effective on January 1, 2023. It also introduces the Responsible Supply Chain System (ReSC) and places emphasis on the newly implemented Human Rights Focus System (HRFS). The HRFS is designed to identify high-risk areas related to human rights violations and environmental issues, allowing for swift and appropriate action. Additionally, Dr. Kerstin Waltenberg has been appointed as the Human Rights Officer to monitor compliance with human rights due diligence.

“The Responsible Raw Materials Report not only showcases our progress in terms of transparency and risk management in the raw material supply chains, but also highlights the challenges we face. We go above and beyond our legal obligations,” says Dirk Große-Loheide, Member of the Brand Board of Management of Volkswagen responsible for Procurement and member of the Extended Executive Committee. “We take the procurement of raw materials sustainably very seriously and continuously collaborate with indirect suppliers in upstream supply chains, which pose the greatest challenge. Our Raw Material Management System plays a crucial role in this, implementing specific measures to identify and mitigate risks in these supply chains.” Dirk Große-Loheide adds, “With the Responsible Raw Materials Report, the Volkswagen Group, together with its brands Audi, Porsche, Scania, and MAN, documents our efforts and demonstrates that sustainable procurement is achievable. This report may also serve as an inspiration to others.”

In 2022, a major focus was on maintaining close cooperation with battery suppliers and their suppliers, from the mining stage to the production of battery cells. The aim was to increase transparency in complex supply chains and conduct audits to ensure responsible sourcing of raw materials. With the establishment of the new battery company PowerCo SE and the first battery cell factory at the Salzgitter site, Volkswagen engaged in deeper dialogue with relevant stakeholders to address human rights and environmental risks, and advocate for the certification of specific mines.

As a significant step in this direction, Volkswagen joined the “Initiative for Responsible Mining Assurance (IRMA)” in March 2022. The company has committed to gradually implementing the IRMA standards in its battery supply chains. IRMA is a coalition of NGOs, unions, affected local communities, investors, mine operators, and raw material customers, all working towards improving conditions in industrial mining.

Furthermore, Volkswagen’s involvement in sustainable supply chains has been expanded through its membership in the Leather Working Group (LWG), an initiative for the responsible procurement of leather, and the election of MAN Bus & Truck to the advisory council of The Copper Mark.

Since 2021, Volkswagen Group has been the first automotive company to publicly and voluntarily report on its Group-wide efforts to mitigate human rights and environmental risks in high-risk supply chains. The report follows the “Due Diligence Guidance for Responsible Business Conduct” from the OECD, which outlines five steps for responsible due diligence, and complies with the requirements of the “OECD Due Diligence Guidance for Responsible Supply Chains of Minerals from Conflict-Affected and High-Risk Areas.”

The report provides detailed information on Volkswagen’s methodology and activities regarding the Raw Material Management System for responsible sourcing of raw materials. It covers 16 high-risk raw materials, including lithium and cobalt used in batteries.

Since 2019, all relevant direct business partners of the Volkswagen Group are subject to mandatory sustainability ranking, which assesses environmental and social standards in addition to criteria such as cost and quality. Since 2020, the group has required full disclosure of the supply chain down to the mining stage for all new contracts related to battery raw materials.