USING AN AUTOMOTIVE TRANSMISSION REPAIR SHOP The basic types of automobile transmissions are: (i) Automatic, (ii) Standard manual (iii) Four-wheel drive Prices for an automotive transmission repair usually start out with the least expensive, which is manual, then automatic, and finally four-wheel drive - the most expensive. Vehicles without four-wheel drive are usually referred to as two-wheel drive. Most standard manual automotive transmissions are four and five speed, the fifth gear being overdrive. Overdrive is a gear that reduces the engine's power output without reducing its driving speed. This is intended to reduce fuel consumption and engine wear. Usually you can find four-wheel drive automotive transmissions in different configurations. Some are full-time, which means that your vehicle operates all the time in four-wheel drive. Another option is being able to shift from two-wheel drive to four-wheel drive without reducing engine speed. Many newer vehicles now have the option of all-wheel drive. MAINTAINING YOUR TRANSMISSION Properly maintaining your transmission fluids and filter will prolong the life of your vehicle and save you thousands of dollars in replacement costs down the road. Always refer to the owner's manual that came with your vehicle to check the maintenance schedule for the type of transmission you have. Most automatic transmissions require changing the fluid and filter every at regular intervals. If you drive in heavy city traffic, in hilly or mountainous terrain or frequently pull a trailer, distance between changes may vary. Manual transmission fluids usually require less frequent changing. A vehicle with an automatic transmission has a dipstick located in the engine compartment under the bonnet/hood. Keep the fluid filled to its proper level. If the fluid is clean and red in color, this usually means things are OK. If the color is slightly brown, smells burnt, has a pink milkshake-like consistency, or is black, it is time to see your automotive transmission specialist. ALWAYS GET A QUOTE If you suspect you have a problem with your transmission, your best bet is to take it to an automotive transmission specialist who can perform a proper diagnostics on it. Because most vehicles on the road today are equipped with a variety of electronic data gathering devices, computers and sensors, a diagnosis of your electronic system using state-of-the-art diagnostic equipment may be needed to check all your components to help isolate the problem. Your service centre will be able to give you an estimate on what this diagnostic check will cost. This is referred to as an inspection fee. It may be necessary for your transmission specialist to pull the transmission out before they can get a complete understanding of the problem and what it will take to fix it. Only then can they give you an accurate estimate of the labour and parts needed. Ask ahead of time what will be involved in the step-by-step procedure. QUESTIONS YOU SHOULD ASK (i) Ask what, if any, their inspection fee is for looking at your transmission. (ii) If you do have to have repair work done, find out how long it will take to get a cost estimate of the repairs. (iii) Once this has been determined, ask how long it will take to get the transmission fixed. (iv) When parts need to be replaced, check to see if they have all parts in stock and if not, how long will it take to get them in. (v) Make sure all parts and labour are under warranty. Warranties depend on the type of work done or the replacement. (vi) Also, check if the transmission specialist is a member of an industry association. Find more informative how to's and guides at www.advicekits.com