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 repairs.
Today’s automatic transmissions 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. Engine problems now can have a dramatic effect on how the transmission operates.
All of which boils down to one, inescapable conclusion: Sure, transmission work can be expensive… but, dollar for dollar, it’s one of the best values around.
Why can't you give me a price over the phone?
30-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 unusual 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 which transmission is in your car, and which version of that transmission it is. Then they have to identify the specific problem, and isolate whether it’s in the transmission or the 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 costs to repair it. There’s just no way to do all that over the phone.
Where should I have my transmission serviced?
If you look through any newspaper, you’ve probably seen ads from your local quick lube center or convenience store, offering transmission fluid exchange services. And in many cases, these store offer to service your transmission for much less than a real transmission repair shop will.
So is there any reason you should take your car to a transmission shop for service?
Yeah, there is. In fact, there are a few.
Probably the most important reason to take your car to a transmission shop for service is because a service is supposed to be more than draining the oil. Service time is when little problems are supposed be found and fixed… before they become big problems. An experienced transmission technician knows how to identify problems that show up during a road test or appear in the pan. And he’ll be able to make the recommendations necessary to keep those problems in check.
A lube technician may be able to change oil, but chances are he won’t be able to identify and take care of those little problems. Another consideration is whether the shop is aware of the technical nuances that can make or break your transmission. Are they using the right fluid? And what about the filter? Many of them look similar, but using the wrong one can destroy your transmission. Even something that should be as simple as installing the filter often requires more knowledge than many lube techs bring to the shop. There are hundreds — even thousands — of instances of transmission damage being caused by an improperly installed filter. And afterward, it’ll be up to you to prove what cause your transmission to fail.
Is that really worth saving a few dollars on the service?
How can I be sure I can trust this shop?
There are a number of ways you can learn if a repair shop is trustworthy or not. One way is to ask for references from people who have been there before. Another is to check with the Bureau Of Automotive Repair or Better Business Bureau to see whether they have any records of misconduct by the shop.
In the case of a transmission shop, you can also ask for recommendations from your general repair shop: They’ll usually know a nearby transmission shop they can recommend.
What kind of payments do you accept?
Visa, Mastercard, Debit, Discover, American Express, Cashiers Check, Cash