Helpful Hints

1.) Remember the old saying, you get what you pay for; not all parts and services are created equal, beware of your neighbor or uncle who was a mechanic or the person trying to work out of their garage from home.

2.)Automobiles today are much more complex than in the past. So if you are having trouble with your vehicle, give your technician ample time to do a thorough diagnosis of the problem. You will be much happier in the end.

3.)To get the most accurate automatic transmission fluid level reading, have the transmission at operating temperature while running in park (most vehicles) on level ground.

4.)Never drive a vehicle for too long with a 'check engine' light on or 'service engine soon' light on. The light serves as a purpose for more than just the engine. It also can serve purpose for transmission, fuel and ignition systems just to name a few.

5.)A cool-running transmission is a happy transmission! External auto transmission coolers work great for additional cooling and are rather inexpensive to have installed.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q.) Why are some auto repairs so costly?

A.) Most vehicles today are more complex than in the past. Even vehicles from as far back as the 1980's have many computer controlled systems that require special tools and knowledge to repair. The cost of auto parts have inflated over time and the shop needs to have some markup on these items to survive. Overhead and knowledgeable employees are costly.

Q.)How much will a transmission repair cost?

A.)Repair cost vary based on 1st what is wrong with the transmission and second what parts may be required to correct the problem. Overall 50% of all repairs are minor. (Ones that don't require a complete overhaul) Today's transmissions are more sophisticated and require extensive testing to determine the reason for failure.

Q.)Will transmission "fix additives" cure transmission slipping or studdering?

A.)In most cases, additives may temporarily fix your problem, however, slipping or studdering is an indication of damage already done to clutches, bands, and torque converters, so a proper fix would be replacement of damaged parts.

Q.)How Often should I service my Automatic Transmission?

A.)At Total Transmission, we feel strongly that automatic transmission fluid services should be done every 35,000 miles (both fluid and filters) - No Flushes! If your vehicle doesn't have a serviceable filter, then just a fluid change is acceptable.

Q.)Will it hurt anything to overfill the transmission?

A.)No. Although it is possible that a gross overfilling can cause fluid to aerate; which could cause abnormal operation. You may also experience leaks that will not normally occur.