tech@capitaltransmission.com
OPEN HOURS
Mon - Fri 7:30 am - 5:30 pm
Saturday 7:30 am - 3:00 pm
tech@capitaltransmission.com
Mon - Fri 7:30 am - 5:30 pm
Saturday 7:30 am - 3:00 pm
A) Although a Transmission Shop or Service Garage may have good intentions, transmission repair service technicians who quote prices for transmission repair or rebuild service over the phone are actually doing more harm than good. An Accurate diagnosis requires a thorough inspection.
Think About It like This:
If a doctor quoted you prices for medical procedures that didn't apply to you... they basically would be wasting your time. And if you were told over the phone you needed major surgery.... without being properly diagnosed... you would definitely consider getting a second opinion. It's funny to some that we compare it this way...... But basically your transmission repair technician is your cars "doctor" and we know how important it is to you to have an accurate diagnosis so that you can know exactly what your transmission or differential repairs will be. Here are just a few basic steps that might make the process easier for you:
Make sure the "squeak ,grinding, slip, shake, or pull...that you describe are the same meaning to your transmission service professional. If possible, try to show the auto service technician exactly when your vehicle malfunctions.
Have all the complex diagnostic procedures performed on your vehicle which are necessary to provide you with an accurate and cost efficient transmission repair estimate. ( Many times accurate diagnosis require " high tech", very expensive diagnostic test equipment before even the most professional technician can render a qualified opinion.
The results of the testing can determine which system(s) in the transmission have failed and then the extent of the inside damage 0r problems can now be determined. (Make sure this is done before cost is discussed.)
Make sure all proposed repairs and/or work done is put in writing. And request in advance that all of your old parts are returned to you.
We know car troubles aren't easy to have to deal with...and definitely not fun.
And in many cases unavoidable if you want to be back on the road. We want to make repairing your vehicle as simple and as stress free as possible. Please call us to make an appointment today. We're happy to help you at Capital Transmission Service.
Choosing a Rebuilt or New Transmission
A) Rebuilt transmissions are units that have been reconditioned in a mass assembly line process rather than using a custom rebuilding job.
When making the decision to have a " Rebuilt" transmission versus a custom transmission repair service done for you, consider the following:
The quality of a rebuilt transmission really depends on which company remanufactured it and what standards the company sets for their rebuilts. These are all important to consider before making your decision to order a rebuilt transmission. Your transmission service repair professional should be able to answer any questions you may have in the details of a rebuilt transmission.
We have THE HIGHEST STANDARDS set for all of our rebuilt transmissions.... to keep you on the road.
Call us at Capital Transmission..... we can further assist you with any other questions you may have.
A) We want to accurately diagnose your vehicle. It is very common and easy to miss or not recognize a symptom that a trained technician would normally see or hear. A shudder, a vibration, a whining noise and a slipping or pulling feel to the transmission can be different degrees of needed repair. Or possibly not the transmission at all. We never recommend you buying car repairs over the phone. Because all transmission shop technicians know that we can't be sure of what is wrong until we are able to get inside the "tranny" itself. And because transmission repair can be costly....you want to make sure you aren't paying for repairs that were not needed in the first place.
A) It really isn't costly when you understand what exactly goes into repairing your transmission problems. It isn't easy as getting your oil changed or changing your spark plugs. Especially newer automatic transmissions that are equipped with front wheel drive technology or computerized.
Serious work is unavoidable in getting a proper diagnosis. If anyone claims he can accurately diagnose your transmission or differential problems without looking at the your car or truck first.... we would be very concerned.
A) There are many symptoms of a failing transmission that are also shared symptoms of other things that can be wrong with your vehicle, other than your transmission, such as transfer case or differential or even a Engine Miss or slipping clutch. The best way to know for sure is to take your vehicle into your ATRA Certified transmission specialist.
Here's why: Wouldn't it be a perfect world if your vehicle could actually " talk " to you? Tell you when it isn't feeling right, and then tell you what to do to fix it?When you get a common sickness, ... you can go to the doctor ( often knowing your diagnosis before you even arrive at his office), tell him your symptoms, And the Doctor simply makes you better.
So now your car isn't driving right.... You're sure it is the transmission..... You try to pass another vehicle and all of a sudden it feels like someone slammed on your brakes... or your car is stalling at every stop light..... and when driving at faster speeds you feel a "shudder." These problems commonly accused on the transmission, have many times been due to something else.
We know that our vehicles can't "really" talk to us ...at least not yet anyways....... But we can give thanks to Automotive Engineers and their idea to put computers inside all late model vehicles. Our cars use one computer and/or multiple computers which share information with each other to control the engine and in many cases the Transmission.
The computer inside your vehicle uses sensors to keep track of important information that your vehicle gives out. Like how fast you're going, throttle position, the input speed of your transmission, and the different switch positions. We drive many different speeds, our acceleration increases and decreases as we drive on and off highways, and as we're passing other drivers, and even when we're coasting or slowing down with traffic to an idle.
The computer in your vehicle knows how you're driving because it uses the sensors throughout the vehicle to monitor the cars engine and transmission performance. So as we drive on and off freeways, demanding constant changes in speeds, using our everyday maneuvers like passing, slowing down as we approach a stop, and even when we're at idle..... the computer acknowledges this from monitoring certain sensors. And then to improve fuel economy, the computer can engage a clutch inside the torque converter.
The problems you had on the freeway, or at the light, could be a number of things. Without special equipment and an experienced Transmission Shop Service Professional, you can't tell if a "shudder" or " pulling" is caused by the torque converter, a slipping transmission, limited slip differential, a dirty fuel injector, or maybe a weak spark. It could be a number of things.
The best way to know for sure is to take your car to a differential or transmission repair service specialist. We at Capital Transmission Service can help.
I wish all mechanics were honest... but unfortunately as in any business...there can be those comfortable with cheating consumers. Especially when over 90% of consumers that are truly cheated are entirely unaware that they have been made a victim. The person who cheats consumers knows that these percentages are in their favor. And to those of us who aren't very knowledgeable in transmission or engine repair can sadly... become a victim. It is common knowledge among Certified Transmission Repair Technicians that successful computer controlled automatic transmission repair service requires disassembly in order to find where it is malfunctioning.
A) We know that their are very few garages that are actually fraudulent or out to cheat you. But it doesn't change the fact that they do exist. We believe the best way to protect yourself is to follow the three R's.
Always insist on certified transmission shop service technicians. Because an educated technician keeps themselves up on all the latest technology and "Upgrades" (better) ways of doing transmission repair. Always ask to see your automatic or standard transmission when it comes apart and insist your old parts be returned to you. Always be involved in your clutch, differential or transmission repair-- ask questions-- and don't be afraid to ask for something to be explained to you. All of our technicians are ATRA certified. We only employ experienced personnel whose skills have been tested and certified by the association. Having your transmission rebuilt by an ATRA member means you can be protected by the associations " Golden Rule Warranty Plan." This warranty program that is sponsored by ATRA can require your rebuilt transmission be fixed for free by an ATRA members shop should something go wrong with your automatic transmission within up to 3 year or 50,000 miles of the original repair. Talk to your ATRA certified technician for the specifics of this program.
Missed but not forgotten
