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.
Signs You Need a Transmission Mechanic
Recognizing the early warning signs of a failing transmission can save you from a catastrophic mechanical breakdown. Your vehicle often provides physical or audible cues when the system is struggling to manage gear ratios or maintain pressure.
Staying proactive with a transmission service allows us to catch minor leaks or electronic faults before they result in the need for a full transmission replacement.
Watch for these indicators that your vehicle requires professional attention:
- Slipping Gears: Feeling the engine rev higher without a corresponding increase in vehicle speed.
- Delayed Engagement: Noticing a long pause when shifting from Park into Drive or Reverse.
- Unusual Noises: Hearing grinding, whining, or clunking sounds, specifically during gear changes.
- Leaking Fluid: Finding bright red or dark brown puddles under the center of your car.
- Rough Shifting: Experiencing a harsh thud or jarring sensation when the transmission changes gears.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Often Should I Schedule Transmission Service?
Routine transmission service is recommended every 30,000 to 60,000 miles, depending on your vehicle and driving conditions. Our team at Christian Brothers Automotive Savage can create a maintenance schedule for you, considering factors like vehicle usage, driving terrain, and weather in Savage, MN.
Regular service ensures longevity and reduces the risk of unexpected issues. Staying proactive with transmission check-ups enhances your vehicle’s efficiency and protects its overall health.
If you frequently tow a trailer to nearby lakes, drive in heavy Twin Cities traffic, or endure long idling periods in winter, we may suggest more frequent transmission service intervals to better protect your vehicle. During each visit, we can review your past services and help you plan ahead so you can budget for maintenance instead of facing sudden, costly repairs.
What Does a Transmission Repair Involve?
Transmission repair at Christian Brothers Automotive Savage involves diagnosing the issue, repairing components, and ensuring optimum performance. We handle everything from minor repairs to more complex problems with precision.
Our commitment to transparency means you'll always know what's being done to your vehicle and why, ensuring trust and satisfaction. Whether it’s a leaky seal, a misaligned gear, or a complete system failure, we’ve got you covered with the right solutions.
When damage is too extensive for a simple transmission repair, we will explain when a rebuild or full replacement may be the more cost-effective option over the remaining life of your vehicle. We can also discuss how long we expect the repair to take, what kind of warranty applies, and how our shuttle service can help you stay on schedule while your car is in the shop.
Is Transmission Replacement Covered Under Warranty?
Yes, our transmission replacement services come with an industry-leading warranty. This reflects our confidence in our workmanship and our commitment to your peace of mind.
Having a warranty means that not only do we stand by the quality of our service, but we also prioritize your vehicle's longevity and reliability. This warranty coverage gives you security, knowing that your investment is protected and backed by our promise of quality.
If we recommend a transmission replacement, we will review the warranty terms with you in clear language so you understand what is covered and for how long. We can also help you weigh the advantages of investing in a replacement versus trading in the vehicle, especially if you rely on it for daily commuting between Savage and neighboring cities.
What causes transmission fluid to leak?
Leaks are often caused by degraded gaskets, worn seals, or a cracked transmission pan. Over time, the constant heat cycles in the Savage climate can cause rubber seals to harden and fail, allowing vital fluid to escape and reducing the system’s internal pressure.
Our ASE-certified technicians use manufacturer-quality tools to identify the exact source of the leak during a diagnostic. We check the cooling lines, the torque converter seal, and the pan area to ensure we aren't just topping off the fluid but actually solving the problem.
Ignoring a leak can lead to low fluid levels, which causes the transmission to overheat and slip. By addressing a leak early at our transmission shop, you can prevent the internal friction that eventually leads to a complete system failure and the need for a major rebuild.
Why is my transmission "slipping" while I drive?
Transmission slipping occurs when the engine revs up, but the vehicle doesn't accelerate as it should, or it feels like it is popping out of gear. This is frequently caused by low fluid levels, worn-out internal clutch plates, or a malfunctioning electronic sensor that isn't managing gear changes correctly.
At Christian Brothers Automotive Savage, we perform a comprehensive check to see if the slipping is a mechanical failure or a hydraulic pressure issue. We analyze the fluid condition and scan for trouble codes to provide you with a clear, honest explanation of the required transmission services.
Slipping is a serious warning sign that should never be ignored by drivers in Savage. Driving with a slipping transmission generates intense heat that can destroy internal components in a matter of miles, often turning a simple repair into a necessary transmission replacement.
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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.