One of the biggest decisions a car owner has to make is when they have to contemplate whether or not to get their vehicle's transmission repaired. Transmissions are one of the most important and complex systems on any vehicle; operation of the vehicle is dependent on the transmission. Once it goes, as a general rule, the car goes.
However, with the variety of transmission services available in today's marketplace, the decision to repair or even replace your transmission may be preferable to replacing your vehicle. The decision should be based on whether or not the value of the car is substantially larger than the price of the repair, the availability of funds to make the repair versus buying a new car, and whether warranty is an issue. Most new cars come with a long term, drive train warranty.
Not all transmission repairs are blindingly expensive. There are a few things you might want to check before you even talk to a servicer. Make sure your fluid levels are correct. If your transmission fluid is low, it may make your car shift roughly. Check for leaks. Is your car dripping fluid? Is your transmission filter clogged and in need of replacement?
If you decide that you need to take your transmission in for repair, here are a few things to do before choosing a servicer for the work.
Check around and do your homework. This will be one of the biggest repairs you ever have done, so take the time to have it done right. Look on the internet for information and reviews on local transmission repair shops. Check to see if they are certified ASE repairers. Check customer reviews for statements on good or bad service. Remember that a person who had a great experience is far less likely to post a review than one with a bad experience. A few bad reviews might be acceptable. Far more suspicious is a shop that has no reviews at all.
Check with your family and friends and see if anyone can recommend a servicer. The people you trust are generally more reliable than people posting on the internet.
When you talk to a servicer, make sure you try to do the following things. Get a worst-case estimate and get it in writing. Ask what the warranty is. A three-year warranty is a good standard. Check that the garage has the equipment to repair your specific vehicle. And if you feel you're being pressured, or that your questions aren't being addressed, feel free to leave and go someplace else.
For transmission work, your servicer should be certified with the Automatic Transmission Rebuilders Association (ATRA) or the Automatic Transmission Service Group (ATSG) or a similar transmission technical support association.
Check with your dealership to see if the original warranty on the transmission is still in effect. Later model vehicles usually have quite a long warranty period on transmission and drive train.
Don't be afraid to shop around. If you're paying for the repair, you have the right to get the best services and price possible.
Author Resource:-
Roger Ubik has extensive experience auto repair industry in Austin, TX and is passionate about informing consumers. There are many automobile repair shops available. Finding the right mechanic is crucial to a successful outcome.
![[Valid RSS feed]](http://www.articlemarketinghome.com/images/icon_Rss.png "XML Feed For RSS"){kind=icon}
Category Rss Feed
Print This Article
Add To Favorites