FAQ & Expert Tips on Transmissions

FAQ

Take a few moments to read over the answers we’ve provided to some of the commonly asked questions. 

I like the look of those big tires and want to add them to my truck. How does tire size effect my transmissions?

Oversized tires added to a vehicle without having the differential regeared can cause damage to your transmission. Check out this article from Transmission Digest.

Transmissions & Oversized Tires

How should I pick a good transmission shop?

Talk with others that have had transmission repairs performed. Word of mouth is the best endorsement or try your local dealership. If you must pick from the phone book call the BBB and get a consumer report.

What are the questions I should be asking?

The most important thing to remember when you’re on the hunt for prices is not to be afraid to ask questions. “Do you replace the torque converter? Do you replace all the clutches, seals, gaskets, and the filter? Do you update the valve body and replace worn valves in the pump?” Several 2007 and newer vehicles come with an oil bathed computer in the transmission and it should be included in the price. If it is optional, you might want to find a shop that knows better. Whatever question you have on your mind, ask it!

A good transmissions shop will be open and forthcoming about whatever you want to know. It can be difficult to know what questions you need to ask, as well as average transmission replacement labor costs and relevant factors, which is why this cost guide is an effective tool to review before heading to the shop.

Make sure to look for an average cost that also has a good warranty. This is better than searching for the absolute lowest price with just a 3- to 12-month warranty. The longer and better the warranty, the better the build. If a shop doesn’t want to answer the questions you have or simply seems dodgy, immediately move on to the next shop.

What should I be on the lookout for?

If you ever are told by a so-called “transmission expert” that they need your money in advance, find someone who’s more professional. In a scenario like this, they likely don’t have the proper tools or experience. 

Also, be on the lookout for shops that offer a relatively low price, then say electrical and hard parts are not included. This is a technique to get you inside and start the transmission rebuild, after which they’ll say your transmission is in bad shape and will cost even more money.

Finally, also keep an eye out for shops that refuse to give you a price or tell you what’s wrong before they take out the transmission. This means you’ll have an overpriced transmission rebuild cost and you’ll have no option but to pay for the work already done, even if you don’t agree with the price. In other words, it’s always possible to have reputable transmission experts provide you an in-depth overview of what you can expect after the initial diagnostic. This way, there won’t be any surprises!

My transmission only has 41,000 miles on it. Sometimes it won’t work right and other times it works fine for days before it acts up again. Does this really mean I need to have a new transmission to fix it?

Not necessarily, sometimes an electronic component can intermittently fail and cause a problem, but when you restart your vehicle again it can reset itself until the next time the problem occurs. When you talk to a repair facility ask them if they can scan and diagnose fault codes. This procedure is used to determine if the transmission just needs a minor repair or a complete rebuild.

When I called to get a price, they told me there was no way of knowing what it would cost until they check it out. Is that true?

No. Although it is not possible to give an exact figure, most transmission repair facilities have built enough units just like yours to have a pretty good idea of the cost. Due to different sales techniques some repair facilities do not give prices over the phone.

I took my car to a place to have my transmission looked at because they were cheaper than other places I called. Now that they have my car they want me to authorize them to take the transmission out and get a better idea of the problem and cost even though they already gave me a price. Should I let them?

Be very careful here. Once you give them the OK to remove your transmission, you are obligated to pay for all labor hours, diagnostic time, and towing even, if you can’t afford their new higher quote and want to pick up the vehicle. It is always best when signing a repair order to make sure that this phrase is put on it. “Diagnose and call before removing or repairing transmission.” This could save you a lot of headaches later.

I took my truck to a transmission shop and they gave me a wide price range $1100.00 to $1900.00, but they think my price will be at the low end because it only has 78,000 miles on it. Is this wide range normal?

Be cautious of the wide price range and be ready for the higher end of the scale. Today’s transmissions are very expensive; they operate with the use of solenoids, sensors, and computers. If you have an overdrive transmission it is more likely than not to see $1900.00 on a final invoice. Be cautious of the very low price as well: remember, you get what you pay for. Approximately 90% of today’s transmission installations are over $1500p.

Most transmission repair facilities are of good nature and honest, just because they give a price range or no price at all does not make them dishonest. It is up to you to do the research and gather as much information as possible to make the best decision you can, including a second opinion. It is always best to get any repair quote in writing. Remember, today’s transmissions are very complicated and take extensive knowledge to rebuild, this makes them very expensive. So if you get a quote that sounds too good to be true it possibly is.