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We understand our customers' time is valuable so we do everything we can to get you back on the road as soon as possible. When you bring your vehicle to us in any of our Houston stores for a transmission check we use the latest technology to perform an external diagnostic service. A diagnostic service includes checking the condition and level of your vehicle's transmission fluid, taking your vehicle for a road test, and external transmission control diagnosis. This service usually is completed in about 90 minutes. Ready to schedule an appointment? Complete and submit our link to appoint set up form one of our transmission manager’s will contact you right away!
The primary focus of our technician’s is the repair and service of transmissions, and there are a variety of services available. If you think there is a problem with your transmission, an expert transmission technician at our Houston transmissions shop’s will perform an external diagnostic service. This transmission service includes checking the level and condition of your vehicle's transmission fluid, a road test, and a diagnosis of the external transmission controls. If you have a transmission problem, this diagnostic test will determine if the problem can be corrected with a minor external repair or adjustment. Often times the replacement or adjustment of a transmission or drive-train related component(s) will correct the problem. In other cases there could be an electronic or computer malfunction. In still other cases you may need a rebuilt transmission. The best thing to do if you are having transmission problems is complete and submit an link to appoint set up here form so one of our technicians can contact you to schedule your transmission service in one of our Houston shops.
It is important to understand that various transmissions use different types of transmission fluids. Any of Our Houston Transmission Shop’s offers several different types of transmission fluid brands, all of which are of excellent quality. We recommend you change your transmission fluid every 12,000 to 18,000 miles as part of a regular maintenance schedule for your vehicle. When you bring your vehicle in for a transmission fluid change we will also replace your filter, the pan gasket, and perform a final leak-check followed by a thorough road test.
We tell all of our customers in the greater Houston area that it is best to not drive with a transmission leak. The transmission in a car or truck is a sealed hydraulic component and any loss of transmission fluid due to a leak will affect the performance of the vehicle. We encourage any of our customers in the greater Houston area to schedule a FREE road test and multi-check with link to appoint set up here form.
Yes, extreme cold or hot weather combined with poor driving conditions can impact a transmission's life expectancy. When seldom driven or usually driven short distances, vehicles may be subject to unusual wear or strain. An example would be vehicles that are normally driven a short distance normally never have the chance for the engine to heat up to the normal heat range, the result of which can be excessive engine wear.
We offer Free computer and Vehicle diagnostics. When our transmission specialists scan your transmission they are attaching a diagnostic computer to a terminal in the vehicle. The scanning diagnostic tool communicates with the vehicle's computer to see if any trouble codes are present. If trouble codes are detected the scanner reads the output from various vehicle sensors and feeds that information to the computer. This information is then helpful in determining the transmission system's electrical control system. We only use high-quality transmission diagnostic equipment to help us diagnose the transmission problems of all of our customers in the greater Houston area.
Unless driving conditions in the Houston area indicate otherwise like steep hills with a heavy load on truck or pulling major weight, We tell our customers that transmission’s are controlled electronically by a computer and should be driven in overdrive.
Our transmission specialists are often asked this question by our customers in greater Houston. Put simply, a slipping transmission means that when a vehicle attempts to move from a stop, the engine revs and the vehicle can barely move or does not move at all. This creates heat and friction so please call us immediately link to appoint set up here form for service this can save hundreds of dollars sometimes even thousands of dollars off a repair if handled quickly .
When towing a trailer or overload with your vehicle, We tell our customers in the Houston area that they may think of having a transmission cooler installed by one of our transmission specialists.
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Many of those who bring their vehicle to our Houston Transmission repair shop’s are both surprised and relieved to learn that a problem with their vehicle's transmission does not necessarily mean a lot of money needs to be spent to repair it. In fact there are several transmission problems that can be solved without having to remove the transmission from a vehicle. We have put together the following information in an effort to make you a better informed consumer when trying to decide if you should repair or replace your transmission. The technicians at any of our Houston transmission shops are always available if you should have any questions about the information provided below. We also provide Free Transmission Inspections to determine the best solution for your particular situation. To request your inspection please complete and submit our online appointment form.
(Picture of a guy doing valve body work under car) Our transmission experts understand that problems with your vehicle's transmission can often be resolved with adjustments or a minor repair. In fact, a simple adjustment can be done without even removing the transmission from the vehicle. When a late model transmission is failing to shift correctly, it can often be due to a faulty sensor receiving incorrect signals from the computer. Additionally shifting problems can arise when a transmission is not responding to the computer correctly due to a bad connection or a defective solenoid pack. These types of repairs can be fixed without having to remove the transmission from the vehicle saving you a considerable amount of money when compared to a complete overhaul. In situations where a non-computer-controlled transmission is either shifting too early or too late, the throttle cable may need to be adjusted. Seldom will a throttle cable go out of adjustment on its own or because of wear and tear, but rather most mis-adjustment’s are a result of other repair work or due to damage from an accident. When a vacuum modulator is used in lieu of a throttle cable, an adjustment screw can be used to correct a transmission problem. When a vehicle uses a modulator instead of a throttle cable it is crucial that there be no vacuum leaks and the engine is performing at peak efficiency. The vacuum conditions of an engine are very sensitive and significantly impact the performance of an engine. Our technicians will quite often use a vacuum gauge when diagnosing a vehicle's performance problem and state of tune. Many of the problems a vehicle's transmission may present will disappear after a thorough tune-up or other engine performance related repairs are completed. Transmissions in older model vehicles can experience what is called "slipping". Slipping is a condition that results in an engine racing briefly when shifting from one gear to another. Often times a transmission band adjustment is all that is required to correct slipping conditions.
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Spotting of red oil on the ground underneath your vehicle is usually a sign of your transmission needing a reseal job. Reseal jobs are done in order to repair external transmission fluid leaks. Checking for leaks involves one of our technicians placing your vehicle on a rack to examine the transmission for signs of oil leaks. If while examining your vehicle our technician notices leaks near any of the external gaskets or seals and your transmission is otherwise performing well, our recommendation will usually the transmission be resealed. While most external seals can be replaced without needing to remove the transmission, a front seal replacement requires the removal of the transmission in order to gain access to it, resulting in a more expensive transmission repair.
The transmission in your vehicle has numerous parts that are accessible without requiring the removal of your transmission, including the majority of the electrical parts that are serviced simply by removing the oil pan. Repairing a transmission's external parts may result in limited warranty coverage as it is not possible to see if there is any additional problems with the parts inside the transmission that are only accessible with the complete removal of the transmission.
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A complete transmission overhaul, also known as a transmission rebuild, is a transmission that is completely removed from vehicle and disassembled in our shop. Each of the parts are laid out on a workbench and is inspected for damage and wear. The parts are then either cleaned in a special cleaning solution or replaced if damaged. If a part has friction surfaces, such as the case with bands and clutches, then it is replaced. In a complete transmission overhaul all gaskets and seals are replaced as well. Additionally our technicians will review technical service bulletins to check if the manufacturer of the transmission in question recommends any modifications intended to correct design defects realized after the transmission was built. If a bulletin indicates such a defect then an upgrade kit will be used to resolve any and all design defects.
When it is determined that your vehicle's transmission is in need of an overhaul a replacement unit may be a consideration. Rather than removing your existing transmission only to completely disassemble and reassemble it, another option is to replace it with one that has already been rebuilt or remanufactured. There are several things to consider when deciding to use a replacement unit instead of a complete transmission rebuild. Although a replacement unit will get you back on the road much faster it is not always the best solution. There are situations when any given transmission model will have numerous variations dependent upon factors such as which model vehicle, engine, axle ratio, and even tire size! The resulting problems could vary and might be as simple as a speedometer reading that is too high or low (speedometers are normally connected to a gear in the transmission by a cable). Alternatively though you might incur incorrect shift points or even a complete transmission failure due to your engine being more powerful than the one a replacement unit was designed for. Our technicians are aware of these important considerations and will discuss these in detail with you during a service consultation. A Free external diagnostic service includes checking the level and condition of the transmission fluid, taking your vehicle for a road test, and a diagnosis of the external transmission controls by one of our technicians. This diagnosis will determine if there is a transmission problem, and if the problem can be corrected with an external repair or adjustment.
There are several variables that can affect the cost to fix or repair a transmission in Houston. These variables include determining the cause of your transmission problem, your vehicle's age and type of transmission, and the specific service or repair that needs to be completed. We offer a free external diagnostic service to identify how best to fix your problem and keep repair or service costs to a minimum. A Free external diagnostic service includes checking the level and condition of the transmission fluid, taking your vehicle for a road test, and a diagnosis of the external transmission controls by one of our technicians. This diagnosis will determine if there is a transmission problem, and if the problem can be corrected with an external repair or adjustment. If you would like to schedule a visit to us for a free external diagnostic service please complete and submit our link to appoint set up here form and one of our managers will contact you for an appointment. A Free external diagnostic service includes checking the level and condition of the transmission fluid, taking your vehicle for a road test, and a diagnosis of the external transmission controls by one of our technicians. This diagnosis will determine if there is a transmission problem, and if the problem can be corrected with an external repair or adjustment.
Yes, the chances of various types of automatic transmission failure can be minimized when they are regularly serviced by a transmission specialists. Regular servicing can help prevent lubrication related problems as well as those resulting from debris or clogged filters.
We are often asked by our customers in the Houston area what color transmission fluid is. Our technicians tell them that transmission fluid is dyed red for identification purposes only. Without using a red dye in transmission fluid the color would be clear to slightly amber.
We tell our customers that there are several variables that can affect the cost of a transmission repair at any of our Houston transmission repair shops, including determining the cause of a transmission problem, a vehicle's age and type of transmission, and the specific service or repair that needs to be completed by a technician. We offer an external diagnostic service to identify how best to fix your problem and keep repair or service costs to a minimum. Our free external diagnostic service includes checking the level and condition of the transmission fluid, taking the vehicle for a road test, and a diagnosis of the external transmission controls. This diagnosis will determine if there is a transmission problem, and if the problem can be corrected with an external repair or adjustment. If you would like to schedule a visit link to appoint set up here When helping our auto repair shop’s customers in the greater Houston area that have a transmission problem, our skilled technicians will often advise them that when it comes to transmission repair they have several options to choose from. And like most options in life, the options for transmission repair each have their advantages and disadvantages. We tell our customers that their choice will usually be dependent on such considerations as quality, cost, as well as the duration of time that is required to return the vehicle. To help those that have a problem with their transmission, We are pleased to offer a short description of the available options for a transmission problem.
Often to the surprise of the customers who come to our Transmission repair shops will find out that our transmission experts will tell you that new transmission’s are not available from any source, including automotive Dealerships, in the Houston area. If a transmission is purchased from a dealer, that transmission is not a new transmission but rather remanufactured transmission (see below). For those in the Houston area in search of a new transmission, they should know that transmissions are only "new" when first installed into a vehicle at the factory. Needless to say, this is an important consideration when contemplating the cost of a transmission.
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The option known as a remanufactured transmission, often referred to as a "remaned" is essentially the same as a rebuilt transmission with the exception being a remanufactured transmission usually originates from a factory. Typically there are two common methods for remanufacturing transmissions in a factory setting. In one scenario, a team of technicians skilled in specific areas of transmission repair is employed. For example, one transmission technician will perform the teardown (disassembly) and inspects the transmission, another technician will perform the cleaning of the transmission’s parts, followed by several technicians who work to assemble and restore various components before finally having one individual assemble the remanufactured transmission. The other method commonly used in the remanufacturing of transmissions utilizes one individual who is skilled and familiar with a particular family of or specific type of transmission(s). In such a situation this individual will rebuild the transmission from start to finish.
Regardless of the method of remanufacturing a transmission, once completed and prior to being shipped for sale, the remanufactured transmission will be tested on a machine called a dynamometer. All remanufactured transmission’s will cost more due to purchasing the whole unit versus replacing only the parts needed to rebuild your existing unit.(see below)
Quite often, when a customer comes to us with a transmission problem, a repair of the existing transmission is all that is required. A transmission repair can include items such as a failed solenoid or broken input shaft, either of which can be replaced without needing to completely rebuild the transmission. Another situation when a repair is needed is when there is a transmission leak. When an external inspection of the transmission a leak is detected and the internal parts of the transmission have a useful remaining life, replacing the external seals of the transmission is all that is required to repair the transmission. Typically when repairing a transmission, any warranty consideration is limited to the specific part that was replaced. This can be a problem if after the transmission repair is completed an internal part fails that was not associated with the problem. When compared to a rebuilt or remanufactured transmission, a transmission repair can be cost effective but it should be noted that there is a certain element of risk involved.
Finally the last option for those in the Houston area with a transmission problem is to purchase a used transmission and have it installed. A great example of a used transmission being a viable option is when for example a vehicle has been totaled by an insurance company for something as simple as an air bag being deployed when involved in a minor accident. With the exception of the minor problem, the remainder of the vehicle may be in fantastic working condition and with very low mileage. We never tell our customers to purchase a used transmission we tell them that even though a used transmission may be cheaper than a rebuilt or remanufactured transmission, the trade off is usually the lack of a warranty on a used transmission or the risk of a transmission not working at all which is a waste of your labor money plus our transmission rebuilds (see below) are around the same cost we all the benefits and services In conclusion, we tell our customers that they should remember that not each and every option described is practical. Variables such as the type of car in question, the overall mileage, and failure type usually determine which option(s) are best. We invite anyone in the greater Houston area who has a transmission problem to contact us and let one of our automotive repair specialists advise you as to which option might be best for your situation!
Our most common option, often chosen by those in the Houston area, who have had transmission problems is to purchase a rebuilt transmission. When your transmission is rebuilt, it is taken apart piece by piece, with each piece being carefully inspected for damaged or worn parts. These parts are commonly referred to in the transmission repair industry as "hard parts". The transmission is then put back together to factory specifications using what are often referred to in the transmission repair industry as soft parts, IE: replacement of gaskets, seals, bands, and clutches. All of these items are included plus more in a master rebuild kit. The term "rebuilt" is commonly used when a transmission in a vehicle is removed and reinstalled after being rebuilt by a specialist, or as mentioned previously a transmission rebuilder. Other terms commonly used in the transmission repair industry for a rebuilt transmission include overhauled, reconditioned, or refurbished.
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