There are 2 key things we would like to share with you:
1. The 7 most frequent questions we get from customers.
2. There are also 7 critical factors that we wish every customer would understand before trusting their vehicle to any repair facility.
The 7 Most Frequent Customer Questions
…and the answers!
1. Do most transmission problems require a new or rebuilt transmission?
Absolutely not. In fact, only one-half (or less) of vehicles with transmission problems actually need a new or rebuilt transmission? Many can simply be repaired by correctly identifying the problem and repairing only what is needed.
2. What seems to be the major cause of transmission problems?
To almost everyone’s surprise, it is the electrical components, both inside and outside your transmission, that cause the majority of transmission problems…not the actual transmission itself? Accurate diagnosis, with the proper diagnostic equipment can almost always pinpoint the problem.
3. Are there choices I can make in repairing my transmission?
Absolutely! Even if the transmission needs to be replaced or rebuilt, there are at least three choices that every customer should be given… repair, recondition, or replace. Most repair shops offer just one!
4. Is there a choice of warranties?
Yes, there are many choices that should be offered. You should be able to choose between a local and national warranty AND you should be able to choose the length of time/mileage of the warranty. But remember, longer and more comprehensive warranties will cost more than shorter, limited warranties.
5. Can I get a price for transmission repair over the phone?
When someone gives you a price over the phone, it’s really just a guess? No one can know exactly what is wrong with your transmission without seeing it first-hand. It’s clearly unrealistic to expect a price given over the phone to be real…either it’s going to be too high because it just needs an external repair or it’s going to be too low because no one can know exactly how you want your vehicle repaired or which warranty is right for you. Make sure your repair shop wants to see your vehicle first.
6. Should price be the most important factor in transmission repair?
Again, surprisingly, in many cases, the least expensive transmission repair can become the most expensive transmission repair over the long term. Since the cost of parts is a major component of the overall price, “least expensive” generally means fewer parts. Any shop can simply repair or replace the obviously broken parts…but, if cost is the only concern, what do you think happens to all those parts that are seriously worn but not yet broken? If these parts are not replaced while the transmission is already disassembled, it is likely they may cause problems in the foreseeable future.
7. Can I get a “final price” on my transmission repair quickly?
No, you cannot. Unfortunately every transmission repair is unique because it’s not always the same parts that have become damaged. In fact, a reputable repair shop will likely invest 5 to 8 hours labor to develop your “final price” There are between 600 and 800 parts inside most transmissions. In order to determine exactly which parts need to be repaired or replaced, the transmission must be removed from the vehicle, disassembled, and inspected. In most cases, you will commit to somewhere around $400 just to find out exactly what is wrong and how much it will cost. (Of course the $400+ should be credited to the repair.)
Are there certain things I should look for in a repair facility before I trust my vehicle to them?
Absolutely yes! In fact. there are 7 critical things we would recommend that every customer look for before taking their vehicle anywhere.
The 7 critical things you should look for
before trusting your vehicle to any repair facility…
1. Look for a repair center that offers a free diagnostic check that includes a state-of-the-art computer analysis and road test. Finding out if you have a transmission problem should not cost you a penny. Beware of any repair center who wants to charge for initial diagnostics.
2. Look for a repair center that provides national customer service with an 800 telephone number. Not that most customers will ever need national service, but many times customers may have a difference of opinion with the owner of the shop. If there is national customer service, you can go around the independent shop owner to be heard.
3. Look for a repair center that can offer you different types of warranties. Warranties can be local or national and can run from 6,000miles/6 months to lifetime. Even though many repair shops say they offer “national” warranties, make sure they can show you their participating network of dealers.
4. Look for a repair center that will make life easier for you. Any transmission repair is an ordeal and, at the beginning, no one can tell you exactly how long it will take. Make sure the repair center offers free local towing, subsidized rental cars, available financing on approved credit, etc. In auto repair, little things can make all the difference.
5. Look for a center with state-of-the-art diagnostic equipment. Because of the complexity of today’s transmissions, it takes very sophisticated equipment to accurately diagnosis the problem. Problems may come from the vehicle’s computer, the transmission’s computer, the electronic controls on the transmission, the internal components of the transmission, or from many other areas. It takes sophisticated, expensive equipment to effectively determine the cause of the problem.
6. Look for a center that is genuinely committed to technician training. Again, the complexity of today’s transmissions requires that all technicians are trained and updated regularly. Every year or so, the major auto manufacturers update and improve their vehicle’s transmissions. The technicians should fully understand all changes. In addition, in each geographic area, there is usually one repair facility that most other repair facilities go to when they need help. If possible, look for that center.
7. Look for a repair center that has been part of the community for a long time. Repair centers seem to come and go, but those centers with a long history serving the community are usually your best bet.
