Are you a car owner who is struggling with a transmission problem as of the moment? Your top concern right now would probably be how much you will need to extract from your budget so that you can pay for the transmission repair cost. Well, considering the price ranges as per survey, that concern is valid.
Almost, if not all car owners can afford to have the other car parts fixed, but never the transmission. It always seems as though it is that one significant part that needs to be given some special attention.
On a good estimate, the cost to rebuild transmission ranges from around $1,400 to $3,000. This range is not particular with any vehicle type but is actually a safe ballpark for almost all car models. Also, know that this range is specifically for a complete rebuild and not just for a repair.
So, before asking how much is a new transmission, you better pay a visit to your mechanic first and ask him to inspect your unit and give a good assessment on whether it needs a full work out or repairs will do.
There is a possibility that your transmission’s problem is just a leak. In this case, you may only need a few minor repairs, and the transmission repair cost will only run around a few hundred dollars.
If you are for some reason planning on doing the repair on your own, you have to know that there are about 50 to 60 different steps to follow to do it well and properly. If this is your first time to experience this, and you need some guide, there is one from AutoMD.com.
Your Transmission: How it Works and How it Breaks
According to an informative article from ATRA or Automatic Transmission Rebuilders Association, a car’s transmission is the most complicated and the least understood major component of any vehicle. It is designed to transmit power from the vehicle’s engine to the drive axle which makes the wheels drive the vehicle.
The fluid inside the transmission basically makes the vehicle operate and run as it cools and lubricates the other parts in the system. So most probably, one reason why your transmission fails is either the fluid has leaked or its level is no longer enough for running. If you fail to check the fluid level and condition, it is could possibly fail you entirely.
Another cause for breakage may be the owner’s failure to have the transmission serviced for years. Keep in mind that this kind of maintenance is necessary, especially if you want to avoid the hassle of repairs and the cost to rebuild the transmission in the future.
If your mechanic is not available, you can always check the fluid condition of your transmission by using the manual that comes with the car.
Factors that Affect the Repair Costs
Other possible types of transmission repairs are due to several different causes. For instance, your unit may only need to be flushed. Or in some cases, the transmission may just need solenoids replacement. In such cases, you will only be charged a few bucks by your mechanic.
This only means one thing: one of the most important factors that will affect your budget is the difficulty level of the work that needs to be done. The catch is, there are times when finds out bigger failure problems just when you had to disassemble the transmission. This means there could be extra “surprise” costs that will appear on your quotation.
Another question then arises: Do you know your car and its parts very well?
Aside from this, it is also important to consider the type of vehicle because that dictates the kind and quality of parts that need to be purchased for the repair. It has been reported that owners of passenger cars are charged starting from $1,200 to around $4,200 for a complete replacement of the transmission. On the other hand, pickup truck owners will have to pay around $1,500 to around $4,000 while an SUV or minivan will cost around $1,700 to around $6,500.
Also, the location can be taken into account in your quotation when you need a home service or when you need the parts that you ordered online delivered at your doorstep.
You must also be aware of the warranty that is offered by your car manufacturer for the entire transmission system. There are factory re-manufactured transmissions that cost more than the basic ones, but they come with longer warranty periods. That is for a minimum of 2 years up to 3 years with 75,000 to 10,000 miles. This type of transmission will take about two to three days of installation.
Lastly, it will be very crucial to identify whether your transmission is manual or automatic. This will drastically affect the charges that your repairmen will include.
Where to Ask for Repairs or Rebuild
There are several automotive repair shops scattered all over the different states that offer high-quality transmission repair and rebuild for reasonable prices.
Your Mechanic offers a 12-month and 12,000-mile warranty service for the parts and labor combined, and they only charge around $1,400 to around $2,900 If you have no time to go directly to their shop, they also cater to online inquiries via their website.
They also have a hotline that you can readily call even when you are caught up in the middle of nowhere with a broken transmission. In their website, they also published different reminders and notes on how to take care of your transmission.
Meanwhile, Midas, another auto repair service shop also offers good deals. For both their parts and labor fees, they give out a 12-month warranty starting with only $1,600 and could go up to $3,500. In particular seasons, Midas offers coupons for selected services. For instance, there are available online coupons for transmissions that only need a flush.
So how much is a new transmission? Now it is your turn to pick out from this whole list of options.