Dartford
Dartford, situated in the county of Kent, is a bustling town known for its strategic location near the River Thames. With a population of approximately 107,000, it is a vibrant hub for both commuters and locals alike.
The most popular cars in Dartford
When it comes to car ownership in Dartford, the data reveals some interesting trends. The Ford Fiesta takes the top spot as the most popular car in the town, favored by Dartford residents for its reliability and fuel efficiency. Following closely behind are the Volkswagen Golf, Vauxhall Corsa, BMW 3 Series, and the Audi A3.
In addition to these popular choices, Dartford residents also show a preference for SUVs and crossover vehicles, such as the Nissan Qashqai and the Range Rover Evoque. This reflects the town's diverse needs, from urban commuting to weekend adventures exploring the picturesque countryside.
Vehicle numbers in Dartford
Dartford boasts a significant number of licensed vehicles, with approximately 70,000 cars registered in the town. This high number reflects the town's reliance on private transportation and the need for efficient and reliable car maintenance services.
Postcodes and suburbs in Dartford
Dartford is divided into several postcodes and suburbs, each with its own unique charm. Some notable areas include DA1 (Dartford town center, Crayford, and Barnes Cray), DA2 (Dartford Heath, Joydens Wood, and Wilmington), DA4 (Farningham, Eynsford, and South Darenth), and DA9 (Greenhithe and Stone). These diverse neighborhoods contribute to the vibrant automotive landscape of Dartford.
As a car maintenance platform catering to the needs of Dartford residents, we understand the importance of providing top-notch services to keep their beloved vehicles running smoothly. Whether it's regular servicing, MOT testing, or repairs, our platform connects car owners with trusted professionals who are well-versed in the specific requirements of Dartford's automotive landscape.
What does Automatic Transmission Fluid (ATF) do?
Automatic Transmission Fluid (ATF) provides the lubrication to the moving parts, wear and corrosion protection and is there to transfer the mechanical power of the automatic transmission. This is why regular servicing of an automatic transmission is vital to change this fluid (and its filter where fitted) in line with manufacturers recommendation. Failure to do this can result in many issues, such as transmission overheat, solenoid failure, jerky gear changes and even total gearbox failure.
What is an Automatic Transmission Fluid Flush?
A transmission fluid flush is a process in which the fluid in an automatic transmission is flushed out of the transmission (gearbox) and replaced with new Automatic Transmission Fluid (AFT). The flushing process, when done correctly, replaces nearly 100% of the old fluid with new fluid, including fluid in the torque converter and oil cooler lines.
How often should I have my automatic transmission fluid flushed?
Most manufacturers recommend replacing transmission fluid every 30,000 to 60,000 miles. If you tow anything, or do mostly city driving with more frequent changes of gears, it may be wise to change your ATF even more often.
What happens during an automatic transmission service?
There are many different processes required depending on the manufacturer, some of which may include all the following or just some:
Mechanics will raise the vehicle and increase the gearbox temperature if required by the procedures.
The gearbox drain plug will be removed, or a syphon pump inserted down the filler tube.
If the vehicle has a filter, the sump is likely to be removed so the filter can be accessed.
The parts will then be cleaned before a new filter is installed and the sump refitted with a new gasket or sealing compound.
The gearbox will then be refilled with the correct ATF for the gearbox and application in accordance with the manufacturer's procedure.
In some cases the refilling operation requires diagnostic input as well as manual.
Once refilled to the correct level and run through its selection routine, the vehicle will be test driven before returning it to the owner.
What are the symptoms of requiring an Automatic Transmission Fluid Flush & replacement?
Usually, there a few signs you can look for:
Transmission grinding or strange noises
Problems changing or selecting Gears
Slipping gears
Failure to change up or down smoothly
Jolts or a delay as you change from Park to Drive
Transmission overheat warnings
Transmission Control Unit warning lights