Transmission repair can cause a lot of anxiety for most people, so let’s see if we can clear up some of the more
common questions and misconceptions about transmission repair.
Why does transmission repair cost so much??
There’s no doubt about it: Transmission repairs can be expensive. But it’s not so much money when you consider
what’s involved in the repair.
Today’s automatic transmission consist of hundreds of individual components. During a major repair, each one is removed, cleaned and inspected to exacting tolerances. Any worn or damaged parts are repaired or replaced.
Then each part is put together into one of many subassemblies. Each subassembly must be adjusted, and tested for proper operation. Then the subassemblies must be assembled into the transmission case, where the adjustment and testing procedure begins all over again.
Finally, once the transmission is completely assembled, it has to be reinstalled.
If that’s not enough to justify the cost, there’s something else to consider: Virtually all of today’s automatic transmissions are computer controlled. Which means that the transmission’s ability to operate depends on much more than the condition of the transmission itself.
Why can't you give me a price over the phone?
Twenty or so years ago, there were only maybe a dozen different transmissions on the road.
Every transmission repair shop had a good stock of rebuilt units on hand. There were almost no updates necessary, and even if something failed, most shops had a good supply of used parts on hand to replace it.
Today, there are more than ten times that many transmissions in use, with new ones showing up all the time. Many of those transmissions have several different variations or calibrations, with as many as a dozen modifications necessary.
What’s more, today’s transmissions are computer controlled, which means even though your transmission may not be working properly, there’s a good chance the root cause of the problem doesn’t have anything to do with the transmission itself.
To provide you with an accurate assessment of your transmission’s condition and give you an honest estimate for repairs, technicians must perform a series of rigorous tests. They must identify the transmission in your car, then they have to identify the specific problem, and isolate whether it is in the transmission or computer system.
Finally they have to determine the likely causes for the problem, based on a logical diagnostic process.
Once they have that information, the shop is able to give you a more accurate explanation of your car’s condition, and put together an accurate estimate of the cost to repair it. There’s just no way to do it accurately over the phone.
Is it important to have regular transmission services like a fluid and filter change?
Yes. Your transmission pan and filter are where all the debris like friction, metal and brass end up. Some people
would have you believe you can service your transmission simply by pumping out the old fluid and pumping in the new
and that this procedure should clean your transmission and filter.
Your old transmission fluid is dirty and used up, this is why you should have your transmission serviced on a regular schedule. Would you change your engine oil without changing your oil filter?
Secondly, by removing the transmission pan and filter, our technicians get a better look at the condition of your transmission, possibly preventing the major cost of an overhaul.
My "Check Engine" light is on ... what could it mean?
It could mean a number of things, including transmission problems. The best thing to do is to bring it in to our
shop and let us do a complete 22 point diagnostic, which includes electronic analysis. Once this is completed we
will be able to tell you why your check engine light is coming on.
If it is a mechanical problem, we can recommend a quality service facility to have your vehicle repaired. If it’s transmission related, we can tell you what needs to be done to repair your vehicle’s transmission. And the best thing of all is this whole analysis is totally FREE.
