7 Commonly Asked Transmission Repair Questions

Unless you have experience working under the hood of a car, a transmission repair will be unfamiliar territory for you to try to navigate on your own.

This makes it challenging to figure out exactly what’s going on when you experience a problem.

This article will help you determine your problem and bring the solution back to the road safely for you.

Table of Contents

1: When should I check my transmission fluid?

Typically, you want to check your transmission fluid when you check your oil, which is every six months, or twice a year.

When checking your fluid, it’s important to note that you must be parked on a flat surface, and your car needs to be warm.

Before checking the fluid, start your engine and let it run for a few minutes.

Then, take the transmission fluid dipstick out and wipe it with a clean cloth and then place it back in the reservoir.

Pull the dipstick out again, and this time, check the indicators to determine whether or not you’re low on fluid.

Transmission flushes may be required depending on the quality of the fluid, but generally, this service is done every 30,000 miles.

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2: What should I look for when checking my transmission fluid?

When checking your transmission fluid, you’re going to be looking for four specific things.

The level that the fluid is at.
The color of the fluid.
Good transmission fluid will be a bright, transparent red color.
The consistency of the fluid.
The consistency of transmission fluid should be thin, with no contaminants or particles mixed in.
The smell of the fluid.
Transmission fluid is practically odorless, so if you notice a burnt odor, you likely have a transmission issue.

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3: How do I know if my transmission is leaking?

There are two indicators that your transmission is leaking fluid.

If you go to check the fluid levels and they’re lower than they typically are from your normal driving routine, then it’s likely that you leak.

If you check the surface underneath where your vehicle is parked and notice a red fluid puddled on the ground, you know you have a leak.

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4: How much does a transmission repair cost?

Transmission repairs and rebuilds are often more cost-effective than transmission replacements.

So how much does it cost to rebuild a transmission? A rebuild is still going to be pretty costly.

A transmission rebuild can cost anywhere from $1500 – $3500, while a transmission replacement will cost upwards of $4000.

A complete rebuild takes skill and mastery, which is why this service is best left to professional mechanics with experience performing this kind of work.