Automatic Transmission  One of the most scariest things to buy or have work done on is when your transmission stops functioning correctly and someone in a shop says "You need a NEW transmission."

  So little is known anymore and we are at the mercy of those shops and dealers out there that advertise " I can get it done for you", to later find out it cost "you" MUCH more once it is torn down and in a million pieces.  That is where you are HOOKED.

Well, that should be over.  We have been in the business since the beginning (1918) and I want to help those who are afraid and don't know what to do.  Those that have been given only one choice and didn't like it. Do you ever feel this way???

THERE IS OTHER ALTERNATIVES no matter what the guy/girl said behind the counter.  The fact is automatic transmissions are expensive because no one wants to service and take care of it even though most change the oil ever 3 months they pay no mine to servicing the transmission when it comes do.  Also with technology changing RAPIDLY, the demand for quality technicians is growing but the lack of knowledge is great and this is why in many cases the dealer tries to sell you a NEW/REMANUFACTURED unit because they can't find quality people to fix them.  Its tough but the solutions are there and sometimes there not cheap but if you follow a few guidelines I've written then it may save you some money and headache down the road.

Take it to the dealer and they immediately want to install a new remanufactured unit without giving options.  If I heard that then out the door I would go.  That tells me they have no one there to work on it and they can only install what the manufacture builds.  There are many other options out there. 

 Just a few we use at our facility are 

Used Units ranging from 100 miles to 80K miles (were you have it fixed with a used transmission from usually out of a wrecked lower mileage vehicle that worked properly before its outer shell was damaged),

Repaired Unit ( a step up where you have the transmission completely disassembled and put back together with new seals, gaskets and filters but good quality used hardparts at the fraction of the cost of new ones are replaced)

Rebuilt or Remanufactured Unit ( the transmission is completely overhauled and updated with the latest known updates and preventive tactics to prevent this from happening again and new planetary, sprags, clutches, electronics, and all soft parts).

Making the decision is your option.  Various warranties apply as well to what ever YOU as the consumer prefer.  Ask questions and see what you get for you money spent.  We personally offer 90 days to 5 years warranty on everything from used to remanufactured.  I give the consumer the choice.  When buying product you need to understand what your getting.  So many times when a customer gets transmission repair all they know is they dropped off the vehicle and picked it up and it cost a fortune.   My advice to you is SHOP THE ALTERNATIVES.  Never hurt anyone to shop including me.  I like when people do there homework and find out the alternatives.  Sometimes I can make it happen and sometimes I can't and that is life. 

Things to ask yourself before leaving one of your largest payments, other than your house, with an automotive repair facility.

1) Check out a shop before you take it there.  Do they have all the proper scanners and electronic devices to check your 10K-80K vehicle?  Or do they have to get help elsewhere.  I see so many times jobs I didn't get yet I get it when they take it down the road.  Which in turn cost the customer in the long run for having it done twice.  Can you walk through the facility without hurting yourself?  Can you send your wife, husband, son , daughter, grandmother or grandfather there and not have a worry in the world that they will be taken care of while on the premises?  How long have they been in business?  Not how long have they worked on cars or trucks.  How did you find them in the first place?  Referred by a friend or co-worker and are they really a reliable source to recommend?

2) What are my options?  When the vehicle is brought in the shop are there options to chose from or only one option?   Do they offer the option of replacing a unit with one YOU find and if so How much labor?  Its better to find out there policies on this before they start otherwise you may find yourself in a lot more of a stressful area.  Remember if there isn't at least 2 options to choose from then move to the next place.

3)  Warranties?  What are my guarantees?  Understand what is covered before obligating yourself.  Towing? leaks? internal failure?  Knowing what to expect if something happens after you pick up the vehicle, and things happen because there is not a PERFECT shop in the world.  Humans make mistakes but how they handle them will ease ones mind.

These are just a couple things you may want to keep in mind next time you have to make the HUGE decision of what to do when the transmission in your vehicle fails.  Remember to ask questions.   If you don't then you will NEVER know could I have or could I had.

Please feel free to ask me if you have any question on automatic transmissions or need help finding one.  You don't have to buy from me in order to get an answer:)