1.
If you are experiencing transmission problems, the very first
thing to do is to check the fluid level and condition. Check the fluid level
when your vehicle is fully warmed up and parked on a flat surface. Unlike
checking your motor oil, the transmission fluid level is checked with the
engine running, unless it’s a Honda or Acura. The transmission should be in
Park. Many transmission malfunctions and even failures are caused by low fluid
level. Transmissions don’t “use” fluid. If it’s low, you probably have a leak.
The fluid condition is a little harder to
determine. The fluid should be red and have a petroleum product smell, much
like motor oil. Dark fluid that smells burnt can simply be from lack of service.
Just because the fluid is dark and smells burnt does not necessarily mean the
transmission is about to fail. This is one of the oldest “wife’s tales” in the
business. If you haven’t changed your fluid and filter in a long time, it’s not
unusual for it to be discolored and smell slightly burnt.
2.
When was the last time you had your transmission fluid and
filter changed? We recommend every year or 12,000 miles. A restricted filter
can cause slipping, delayed engagement when shifting into gear, even noise and
no movement conditions. Here in our shop, our experience has been that either
low fluid or a restricted filter causes almost half of the transmission
problems we see. As a matter of fact, it is not uncommon for us to find the
cause of a transmission failure being traceable to what was originally a low
fluid or restricted filter condition that went unattended!
The very first major repair bill
with almost all vehicles today, will be a transmission failure. As a matter of
fact, most vehicles on today's roads will see between 2 and 3 transmissions
before that same vehicle needs a new motor. Why is this? The main reason is
lack of maintenance and repair. We estimate that over 50% of the major
transmission jobs we see are due to either lack of maintenance, or postponing a
minor transmission repair, such as a leak, or some other repair, that could
have been repaired for much less than a new transmission. Proper maintenance is
the key to avoiding costly transmission problems.
In our next article, "Transmission
Brain Surgery" we will cover one of the most common minor transmission
problems that can easily appear to be a major transmission problem.
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TRANSMISSION BRAIN SURGERY?
In our previous article, "The
First Two Things To Check" we covered the very first two things a
consumer can check themselves when experiencing transmission problems. Those
two things account for over 50% of the transmission malfunctions seen today. In
today's article, we will cover one of the most common minor transmission
problems that can easily appear to be a major transmission problem.
An automatic transmission has to
have a brain, or it wouldn’t be automatic would it? Some shifting problems can
be caused by a confused brain. In an automatic transmission, this brain is
called a valve body.
If the valve body doesn’t know
how fast the vehicle is going, or perhaps it thinks you have your foot to the
floor all the time, when in fact you don’t; late or no upshifts are the
results. This is especially true in the higher gears for the complaint we see
most often is a late or no 3rd or 4th gear condition. In
most vehicles, the valve body is accessible without having to remove the
transmission from the vehicle.
Most vehicles made in the last
decade have computer controlled valve bodies, which are like giving a hydraulic
brain (the valve body), a second brain (the vehicle’s computer and electrical
system). With these vehicles, it’s not uncommon to have an electrical problem
cause a transmission malfunction! It is very easy to have a "brain
problem" mis-diagnosed as a major transmission problem.
No transmission technician likes
unintentional diagnostic mistakes, but they do occur. It takes an expert with
proper diagnostic equipment and experience to tell the difference. Make sure
you deal with a reputable shop that you know and trust is the secret.
In our next article "How
Long Should A Transmission Last?" we will discuss the top two reasons
automatic transmissions don't last as long as they should.
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HOW LONG SHOULD A TRANSMISSION LAST?
In our last article, "Transmission
Brain Surgery", we discussed one of the most common minor transmission
problems that can easily appear to be a major transmission problem. In this
article, we will discuss the top two reasons automatic transmissions don't last
as long as they should.
If you ask around, you will see
that it is a common scenario to have a vehicle’s first transmission go 80 or a
100 thousand miles. But after that, the transmissions don’t seem to last very
long at all. There are 2 reasons for this.
- The first reason is the root cause of the failure was not diagnosed.
- The second reason is more subtle; it's paying too little.
Let's talk about the first reason
a transmission would not last very long.
UNINTENTIONAL TECHNICAL MISTAKES
OR JUST INCOMPETENCE?
Technology is exploding and it
takes an experienced expert to know what’s really wrong with today’s
transmissions. The transmission technology explosion began about the same time
the as the personal computer, the1980s. The 80s flushed out almost all the
intentionally dishonest transmission technicians and they shops they work for. However,
the scandalous rumors live on. We have found that the biggest risk or threat
that consumers are faced with today is INCOMPETENCE. From a consumer’s
perspective, there isn’t any difference between a unintentional technical
mistake and incompetence; the end results are the same. You buy something you
don’t need. Incompetence is most commonly manifested in the transmission shop
that performs a major transmission repair or replacement, only to find out the
same problem exists. Or, sometimes the problem is temporarily cured until the 2nd
transmission fails for the same un-diagnosed reason the first one did. It is
the responsibility of every transmission shop to find out the root cause of a
transmission failure and correct it. If not, you’re guaranteed to have the same
problem later, if not immediately. Cure the cause and not the symptom is the
way to go. However, even if the root cause of the failure is diagnosed, and
repaired, you're not out of the woods yet. How about the 2nd reason
a transmission doesn't last very long? Read on.
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HOW MUCH FOR A TRANSMISSION?
When a transmission fails, it
almost always is substantial, unexpected, unplanned sum of money that stresses
out most households. In our 35 years in the transmission industry, we have yet
to see the first planned breakdown. Naturally, most consumers get on the phone
and start calling around asking “How much?” This is the fatal assumption. This
is where the problem snowballs. Here’s why:
- If the consumer gets the best price they can find on
the phone, and goes to that shop, guess what? They buy a transmission. Consumers
all over the country needlessly purchase many, many transmissions and they
never ever know it. Sometimes they had low fluid, restricted filter, or some
minor problem that could have been corrected without removing the transmission
from the vehicle. Let alone buying a new transmission! But they got what they
asked for when they asked “How Much?”…a transmission whether they needed it or
not. In addition, it’s never what they tell you over the phone unless they have
a crystal ball or X-ray glasses.
- If the consumer truly needs a transmission, there's
another problem. It is a perfectly natural reaction to shop around because of
the sudden, unexpected expense. This is especially true when the vehicle is already
in a transmission shop. You can always get a lower price on the phone when your
vehicle is already in a transmission shop. When transmission shops are
confronted with the consumer’s price objections, most shops naturally react and
try to shave corners to lower the price. Maybe a part that was half-bad becomes
half-good. Maybe they won’t put all the labor into the transmission by not
completely disassembling the transmission. Maybe they will buy cheap imported
parts, or even used parts cannibalized out of another junkyard transmission. Who
knows? This situation is usually characterized by short warranties, or
warranties that are only good at that shop. Not much fun if you breakdown out
of town on your family vacation.
The
buying public has unknowingly created a situation where these types of shops
don’t have the resources available to invest in the latest diagnostic equipment
or hire competent technicians. This only aggravates the chance of misdiagnosis
and incompetence. It also increases the chance of another transmission problem
after your money and your warranty has evaporated.
Consumers
that have some mechanical knowledge sometimes get so frustrated with these
types of situations, they give up. they feel compelled to either find a friend to
fix the transmission, or fix it themselves. This will be covered in our next
article, “I Think I’ll Just Do It Myself”.
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“I THINK I’LL JUST DO IT MYSELF”
In our last article, “How Much For A Transmission?”
we discussed reasons that would compel a consumer to either find a friend to
fix their transmission problem or fix it themselves. Here’s a true story:
We had a customer once that in an
effort to save money bought a new transmission and installed it himself. 15
months later (3 months after the warranty expired) the transmission failed
again. Over a 3-year period, the customer replaced 3 transmissions because the
original cause of failure was not diagnosed. He was out almost $5,000! He was
blaming the car for being a lemon. It turned out to be an electrical problem on
the vehicle that affected the electronically controlled oil pressure inside the
transmission.
So what’s a consumer to do? How do you win? The way you
win is by choosing the right shop and being involved in the repair. The right
shop is competent, professional, and above all, trustworthy. Price, speed, and
competence are meaningless if you don’t have a feeling of trust. Use your gut
instinct. If you don’t feel comfortable, there’s usually a reason why. You
don’t have to know a thing about transmissions to have a gut instinct.
If you don’t trust your gut
instinct, ask for our free report that discusses the specific ways a good shop
operates. It covers not only the shop, but the customer’s participation in the
repair process. More good information is in a free
B.B.B brochure on how to choose a transmission repair facility. This free
brochure is available directly from the B.B.B, or you can pick one up at
Certified Transmissions, or call and they will mail you one within 24 hours. If
you have access to a fax machine we can fax it. We can be contacted at: Certified
Transmissions 12541 Minuteman Dr., Draper (801) 572-3636.
In our next article, “What To
Look For”, we will cover what a consumer should look for when choosing a
transmission repair facility.
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WHAT TO LOOK FOR
In our last article, “I Think
I’ll Just Do It Myself”, we discussed why consumers are sometimes compelled
to either have a friend, or themselves, try to fix their own transmission
problem. For those that are not so inclined, we have a list of things to look
for when choosing a transmission shop to take care of your transmission
problem. Here are some important tips on what to look for and how to do it:
Accurate,
Pinpoint Diagnosis – Go on the initial road test with the technician. Do
they use any diagnostic equipment? Do they
have a diagnostic checklist? Do they write anything
down during the road test? How do they convey your problem to other
technicians in the shop? Or, do they do a seat-of-the-pants diagnosis on the
road test and try to sell you something on the road test? While diagnosis is
part of most repairs, be prepared for a nominal shop charge if you choose not
to do business with the shop. Most shops charge anywhere from a ½ hour to an
hour labor for the preliminary diagnosis; if you don’t authorize the
recommendation. However, if you authorize the recommendation, most shops will
waive any such charge(s).
Quality – We have yet to meet a
transmission shop that does not claim to do good work. Who’s going to say “We
do a mediocre job that you can get done anywhere else in town.” Talking
quality is cheap and meaningless. Have them prove it. This will always be reflected
in the standard warranty. Not an extended warranty that you pay for; the
regular standard warranty the shop offers. If you plan on keeping your car this
is important because nobody wants to pay twice for the same repairs. It is
equally important if you are selling your car because you don’t want a buyer to
come back on you claiming you sold them a lemon.
Written Estimates – One thing we have
found to be true of EVERY transmission shop on the face of the planet: Phone
quotes are never accurate. If you doubt this and have some money to burn,
experiment and see what happens. The only accurate (and legal) way is to get a
written estimate. If the shop doesn’t offer written estimates, buyer beware!
Trust – Go with your gut instinct here.
Look for consumer-oriented brochures or other items provided for free. Do they
have a current membership with the Better Business Bureau? Just because a
business is a member of the B.B.B does not necessarily mean they haven’t had
unanswered complaints or have fallen from the Bureau’s good graces because of
complaints. Some shops have made customers so happy, they will write a note or
letter of thanks. Look for those in the customer waiting room. One of the best
ways we know is for you to ask others. Ask someone who has recently had a
transmission problem. Ask your regular auto repair shop who they use or
recommend. Call a local school with an automotive program and ask the
automotive instructor. These people are “in the know”.
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FINALLY – The bottom line is this: The
less you participate in being proactive in transmission maintenance and repair,
the better the chances of you having needless transmission problems and ones
that cost too much money. Be smart; take an active roll.
- The best offense is a good defense. Take care of your
transmission by having it serviced annually by a transmission specialist.
- Take your vehicle at the first sign of trouble. You
know your vehicle better than anybody. If you are suspicious something is
not right, chances are you’re correct.
- If and when you do experience serious transmission
problems, be active in the repair process. Good shops just love customers
that take an active roll. However, just like not all consumers want to
take an active roll, some shops don’t welcome consumer to be an active
participant in the diagnosis and repair. It is these last two groups that
generate the majority of horror stories and needless fear of the
transmission industry.
The Better Business Bureau has
published their own brochure about transmission repair. You can read, print, or
download a copy from our consumer information page for free. If you drop by,
you can pick one up, on the spot.
