What to Expect With Transmission Services
1. Schedule Your Appointment
Whether scheduling online or over the phone be sure and let us know what you're experiencing so we can provide fast and accurate service advice.
2. Diagnostics and Inspections
Drop off your vehicle and the shop will get to work with inspections and diagnostics using the same equipment as the manufacturers to determine issues and next steps.
3. Digital Vehicle Inspection Report and Estimate
Following the diagnosis we will text you a digital vehicle inspection report, containing pictures and videos of our findings and recommendations.
4. Review and Approval
A service advisor will reach out to walk you through the findings and recommendations to determine how you would like to proceed, or you can approve work directly in your DVI.
5. Work Performed or Scheduled
Most work can be completed immediately, or scheduled based on parts and customer availability.
Did You Know: Henry Ford coined the term 'tune-up' while developing his initial automobile prototype.
Frequently Asked Questions
How often should I have my transmission fluid changed?
For most vehicles in the Birmingham area, we recommend a transmission fluid change every 30,000 to 60,000 miles. Frequent travel on Highway 280 or regular towing can accelerate fluid degradation, making more frequent checks necessary to protect your internal gears from heat and friction.
Is a transmission repair always expensive?
Not necessarily. Many shifting issues are caused by faulty electronic sensors, low fluid, or minor leaks that can be resolved with a targeted transmission repair. Our goal is to find the most cost-effective solution to restore reliability, and we recommend a full replacement only when it is truly required.
What is the difference between a rebuild and a replacement?
A rebuild involves disassembling your existing unit and replacing only the worn components. A transmission replacement Birmingham service involves removing your old unit and installing a remanufactured or new unit. We help you weigh the costs and warranties of both options based on your vehicle's age.
Why is my transmission light on if the car drives fine?
The transmission light is triggered by the computer when it detects an "out of range" reading from a sensor. Even if the car feels normal, the system may be compensating for a fault that could cause sudden failure. Professional transmission diagnostics can identify the glitch before it becomes a major repair.
Can I drive with a small transmission leak?
Driving with low fluid is extremely risky for transmissions. Fluid provides both the pressure needed to shift and the lubrication to prevent metal-on-metal contact. Even a small leak can lead to internal overheating and catastrophic failure. We recommend an inspection immediately if you see fluid on the ground.
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FAQs
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Q. "What factors determine the price of transmission repair?"Many different factors go into determining costs of transmission repair. The major factor is what type of vehicle you drive. The year, make and model of the car, determine how much parts and labor will cost. Another factor is how much damage the transmission has sustained. Your transmission should last a minimum of 100,000 miles by servicing your transmission on a regular basis.
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Q. "What does automatic transmission service include?"Fluid is first drained from the pan during an automatic transmission service. A new transmission filter is installed with a new pan gasket once the pan has been removed. Finally, fresh automatic transmission fluid (ATF) is used to refill the vehicle.
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Q. "Is there a difference between a transmission fluid change and flush?"During a transmission fluid and filter change, it’s only the fluid in the pan that is drained and replaced with new ATF. Four to five quarts of fluid will typically be replaced in this process, while nine to thirteen quarts are replaced during a full transmission fluid flush. The difference in amounts is because the complete flush drains the entire system.
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Q. "Do you offer a shuttle service?"Yes! we understand you have a full schedule. Whether you need to get to work, school, or need to attend to other responsibilities, we can take you where you need to go. Click here to learn more.
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Q. "Do you offer a warranty?"As part of our Nice difference.® commitment to providing our customers the best auto service experience possible, we also offer a3-year/36,000-mile warranty on all the work that we do. We offer this warranty at every Christian Brothers Automotive nationwide, and it will be honored at any location, regardless of which branch did the initial work.
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Q. "Can you provide service under my extended warranty?"Yes. At Christian Brothers Automotive, we work with all major extended warranty providers to make needed repairs for our customers. If you have an extended warranty, you can discuss your carrier with our team when scheduling an appointment and confirm that the work will be covered. You can find a partial list of the extended warranty companies we work with here.
Have more Questions?
Our friendly auto service experts have the answers.
Call your local Christian Brothers Automotive car shop today
Hear What Our Customers Had to Say About Us
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"I liked the customer service and going above and beyond to make sure I was comfortable while waiting in the store for my vehicle work to be done, specifically being offered a nice hot coffee with creamer."
- J.L.