Whether an automobile’s transmission is manual or automatic, it is one of the most complicated parts of any vehicle. The system is built of many moving parts, not one solid piece that can be easily removed and repaired. Other systems also overlap with the transmission. This makes transmission auto repair more expensive than most other car parts, with labor being a large part of the cost.
Drivers can keep problems to a minimum by scheduling transmission inspections on a regular basis at a transmission shop like Reliable Auto Repair.
As with any part of a vehicle, this routine maintenance is critical to preventing larger issues and bigger repair bills from occurring down the line. For example, a car’s transmission needs continual lubrication from transmission fluid. The fluid helps with normal oxidation as well as wear and tear. A transmission fluid change is part of any car’s regularly scheduled maintenance. During a routine transmission flush, old fluid is replaced with new, clean transmission fluid.
Automatic transmissions change gears between set speeds, based on the fluid sent by the solenoids to a specific area in the transmission. This process is done manually by the driver using the clutch and then shifting the gears himself. Dual-clutch manual gearboxes function like manual transmissions, but use a combination of an automatic and manual transmission for instant shifting.
The transmission takes a beating in any car. The system is under constant pressure from regular use. It works in high heat all the time and whatever hardship the engine and wheels face is transferred to the transmission, as well.
For these reasons, all transmissions may routinely develop problems.
Here are some things to pay attention to that can alert you to transmission problems:
Don’t take chances with possible transmission problems like these. Let’s face it, your car simply can’t run without its transmission. If you ignore these red flags, you can end up stranded somewhere when it fails completely. Don’t put you or your family at risk for a dangerous situation like this.
Make an appointment for an inspection at your nearby Reliable Auto Repair today! You may not know what the problem is, but Reliable’s ASE-certified mechanics will inspect your vehicle and resolve it for you.
Aside from making sure the fluid is changed in your vehicle between 30,000 and 50,000 miles, there are several other things you can do yourself to prevent problems from occurring with your transmission:
Keeping all your car’s systems properly maintained will help the transmission run longer without issues. Since the transmission is connected to everything else that runs the car, it may be difficult to diagnose problems. The electronic systems are all interconnected, so a transmission may fail due to a bad wheel sensor or ignition coil.
This is a good reason to find an auto shop you can trust and use frequently. Reliable Auto mechanics are highly trained and qualified to deal with overlapping systems like this.
If your Reliable Auto transmission specialist has recommended replacing the system, you can expect to pay between $1,000 to $7,000. However, if you own a luxury car or an unusual make or model, the price tag may go as high as $10,000 or more. Get an up to date quote on the worth of your car and then you can decide whether to simply sell the car or replace the transmission.
Another decision may be to repair the transmission rather than replace it. Average repairs cost around $900, depending on whether a new clutch is needed (around $1,150) or a leak repair is all that it will take to remedy the problem. If your car has a manual transmission, the repair cost will generally be less than an automatic transmission.
Labor costs for major transmission repairs can escalate to another $1,000 to $2,000 for the labor alone. Fluid lines and electrical wiring have to be disconnected, engine mounts dealt with, as well as exhaust system components, axles or driveshafts. There is no “one size fits all ” transmission, so they can be oriented in different directions on cars, depending on the size. While the mechanic is working on a transmission, they may find they need to remove the entire subframe of the car or even the engine in order to get to the transmission.
Another cost to figure into either repairing or replacing a transmission is the time it might take to finish the job. Many times the needed parts aren’t carried in stock, so the service staff must order them. Some parts have to come from overseas and in the meantime your car is out of commission. You will have to rent another car or your family may be inconvenienced by everyone using the same vehicle, while your car is sitting in the shop for several days or even up to a month.
Don’t forget about the coupons and savings page on Reliable Auto’s website. No matter which Reliable location you deal with, you can gain access to savings on your transmission work.
Don’t immediately assume that your transmission must be replaced. A simple repair may fix the problem without investing a great deal of time and money. All it might need is changing the fluid, adjusting some links, correcting a computer system that’s misreading the RPM, or replacing a sensor.
Average cost is $75 to $150
Typical cost is between $150 and $200 (Maybe more if the front seal is involved).
Each solenoid costs between $20 to $100 to replace.
Typical cost is $1,150.
Average cost is $1,700 – $1,800.
In general, the transmission in a car can be replaced cheaper than it can be repaired, especially if your car is an older model. If you have a newer vehicle, it is often recommended to replace the transmission rather than repair it.
And don’t make the mistake of thinking you can do the replacement yourself in order to save on expensive labor costs. This is definitely a job for a professional in a fully-equipped shop. There are multiple parts to be taken from the vehicle (and then put back), some may be very difficult to get to.
If you try to do the job without a lift, you will be facing a dangerous and uncomfortable experience ahead. Mistakes can make the situation worse, or can even be deadly.
Now is the time to trust the Reliable mechanic you have worked with before on less major car repairs.
