Choosing a Transmission Repair Shop
Article Courtesy of FindATrans.com
Transmissions can sometimes be very costly to repair if they require a complete rebuild. When they require a rebuild, you are often asked to spend quite a bit of money to have a problem fixed that you probably don't understand very well.
Transmission Repair Price Quotes
Getting an accurate price quote is very important. There are many different types of electronic transmissions and each type requires different parts and different rebuild kits. Many times something that may seem like a major problem ends up being a minor problem.
One example of this is a man who took his Cadillac into a shop for repair because it was not shifting properly. The transmission shop assumed it was the transmission, removed that transmission and replaced it with a remanufactured unit from their inventory. They test drove the car and found that the shifting problem was exactly the same!
The Same Problem - What Happened?
Well, since most newer car transmissions are electronically controlled by a computer, any problem with the car's computer or electronic power can cause shifting problems in the transmission. Come to find out, the problem was not the transmission itself---but a dying alternator! (The alternator regulates the 12V power to the car, and it was not giving enough power to the car's transmission, causing it to shift incorrectly.)
A $2,200 transmission replacement ended up being as simple as a $150 alternator.
Price Quotes
FindATrans.com was designed to give you price quotes from transmission shops. We are not affiliated with any transmission chain or transmission industry organization -- We are a 3rd party service that allows customers to receive more information on transmission repairs. To receive price quotes, simply click here.
Transmission Industry Organizations
There are several transmission industry organizations that exist. One is called ATRA - Automatic Transmission Rebuilders Association and the other is ATSG - Automatic Transmission Service Group.
Our Shop Verification Process
Transmission shops do not pay monthly or yearly fees to receive our customer quote requests. When we receive a customer complaint on a shop, we investigate the complaint and will remove the shop from our database immediately if the complaint is verified. We feel very strongly about this policy.
Transmission Shop Warranties
The national transmission repair shop chains have advantages. They offer a nationwide warranty on their service as long as the warranty repair is performed at another chain shop. ATRA member shops also offer a nationwide warranty, but similar to chain shops the warranty repairs have to be performed by a another ATRA member shop. The value of a nationwide warranty depends on the consumer. Nationwide warranties can be helpful when traveling.
Choosing a Shop - Conclusion
When choosing a transmission shop, try to be as informed as possible. There are many honest transmission shops available which are being operated by genuine, hard-working people. With a price quote at your disposal, we feel that you are able to make a better decision. But just remember one last piece of information: "Cheaper is not always better".
We hope this information has been valuable to you and we hope you value our quote service.
Corey Turner
FindATrans.com Operations
