The cost to repair will depend on the condition
of your transmission. To assess the condition we first perform our free Trans
Check Service, which includes a full and complete road test and external examination.
Most late model vehicles are electronically controlled and it's possible that
the symptom that you feel could be something other than a transmission problem.
If that free road test indicates an internal problem we will need to perform
our Remove, Dissemble and Inspect (RDI) Service, for which there is a charge,
to give you an exact cost of repair. We will obtain your authorization before
we begin any service for which there is a charge.
How long will the FREE Trans Check Service take?
Generally, our Trans Check Service takes 45 minutes. This will include initial road tests, one with our electronic scanner, an external inspection while the vehicle is on the lift and a pan examination. We encourage our customers to wait while this service is performed. All of our customers are invited to participate while this service is performed. If the Trans Check Service indicates a repair is needed, and if you choose to have the work done, the repair can be completed in a day or two in most cases.
What if I decide I don't want any work done?
That choice will always be yours and if that is the direction you wish to go, there will be no charge for our Trans Check service.
What types of guarantees does Abram offer?
All of our work is guaranteed. Depending on the extent of the work required, Abram offers several warranties from 90 Days up to 36 month / 36,000 miles Guarantee, if the vehicle qualifies.
What if I need a new transmission? How much would that be?
It is highly unlikely that you will need a new transmission. Of the 300 to 500 parts inside an automatic transmission, some will be able to be reused. That saving can be passed on to you. We find it more inexpensive to rebuild the transmission than replace it. The price to repair your transmission will depend upon how much damage is done to your transmission.
If you see this type of problem all the time why can't you give me a price?
While we might have
seen the symptom before, we know, based on our experience, that the cause of
the symptom can be varied. For that reason, we recommend that if the Trans Check
Service indicates an RDI is necessary, we will give you an exact cost of repair
and get your authorization before we begin any repair to your transmission.
Could I wait to have the car repaired?
No. The longer you drive the vehicle the worse
the condition will become. The worse the condition becomes the more it will
cost to repair. If you are interested in saving money, the best thing would
be to bring it in right away. After all, it might be something simple. If you
are concerned about driving the vehicle any further, your Abram representative
can arrange to have the vehicle towed in and evaluated. In most cases, towing
is FREE with major repairs. In the long run this is the least expensive option.
Why can't you give me a price over the phone?
We find that, many times, customers call with what appears to be something serious and it turns out to be something simple. In other words, only after a complete and thorough evaluation on the transmission is made and the cause of the symptom is identified can your Abram representative offer you a price. We will be in a much better position to do that after our free Trans Check Service.
What's the most something like this could cost?
The most it could cost initially is 45 minutes of your time. Our Trans Check Service is free. Since most late model transmissions are very complex and the causes of the symptoms varied, having the vehicle checked externally is the appropriate thing to do. The Better Business Bureau brochure entitled "Transmission Care and Repair" says that "an estimate as to the cost of transmission repair can be given in cases where an external observation and/or a test drive permit an accurate diagnosis of the defects."
Could a fluid change solve my problem?
It's possible. Depending on what the transmission is doing, a fluid change along with replacing the filter and making the necessary adjustments may solve the condition you are experiencing. If the car has an internal problem, it will not. In any event, the vehicle must be evaluated as part of our Trans Check Service.
How to check automatic transmission fluid?
Place your car at a level surface. Start the engine. Shift transmission lever to the "P" (parking) position, and let the engine idle (on some cars this process may differ, check the owners' manual for details).Pull out the transmission dipstick. Check your owners manual to find where such dipstick is placed in your car. Dry it with a clean rag or tissue. Then set it back carefully all the way down into it's place. Then, pull it out again and check the fluid level. If the engine is cool, it should be at the upper end of the "COLD" mark. If the engine is hot, the level should be at the upper end of the "HOT" mark. If it's lower, you should add some amount of automatic transmission fluid. Check the fluid condition also: If it's too black and has a burnt smell - your transmission is going to break. Normally it should be clean and transparent.
Automatic Transmission Service
If your transmission in not serviced
regularly your transmission's vital parts get clogged with sludge and varnish
deposits because, just like the oil in your car's engine, automatic transmission
fluid (ATF) suffers from heat, friction and electrochemical degradation. In
fact, nearly nine out of ten transmission failures are due to overheating and
fluid contamination (according to the Automatic Transmission Rebuilders Association).
However, unlike oil, which can be completely drained from your car's engine,
most of the transmission fluid cannot be drained. Instead it stays in the torque
converter, valve body and transmission cooler lines, making a complete fluid
drain impossible. Typical transmission service removes and replaces only 25%
of your car's contaminated automatic transmission fluid. Adding new fluid to
the remaining contaminated fluid can actually cause sludge and varnish deposits
to clog filters and further restrict flow. This can result in a serious malfunction
or even complete failure of your automatic transmission. That's why it is important
to keep it serviced regularly every 15,000 Miles