Comprehensive Transmission Diagnostic Services: Safeguarding Your Vehicle’s Performance
Introduction to Transmission Diagnostics
The transmission is the heart of your vehicle’s drivetrain and is responsible for converting the engine’s power into torque which drives the wheels. Just like a human heart, the health of your transmission is critical to the performance and longevity of your vehicle. And just like a human heart, it is necessary to have diagnostic tools to examine the condition of your transmission and ensure that it is functioning properly before problems arise.
What Are Transmission Diagnostic Services?
Transmission diagnostics involve a complete examination of your vehicle’s transmission using a combination of advanced electronic scanners and years of training and experience from a transmission repair specialist. The diagnosis aims to identify any issues from minor adjustments to major repairs BEFORE they become serious or catastrophic problems that can be extremely costly. Utilizing state-of-the-art diagnostic equipment combined with experienced visual inspection, trained technicians can quickly and accurately spot potential problems and recommend necessary maintenance and repairs.
Common Transmission Issues
Symptoms That Necessitate a Diagnostic Test
Recognizing the early signs that indicate a potential transmission problem can save you both time and money. These symptomsinclude:
• Slipping gears.Your engine revs up as the transmission tries to shift, but your speed doesn’t increase.
• Delayed or erratic shifting. You might feel a noticeable delay or hesitation when shifting from park into either drive or reverse. Also, you might feel your transmission shift at odd times, which can cause a lag in acceleration.
• Fluid leaks.There are a lot of places where your transmission can begin to leak fluid and none of them are normal. Transmission fluid is usually red, and seeing spots or puddles on the driveway or garage floor would be a tell-tale sign of a leak.
• Warning or check engine light activation. Your vehicle has a number of onboard sensors that detect problems and will cause a warning light on your dashboard to illuminate.
Understanding the Warning Signs
Each of these symptoms could indicate a variety of potential issues within the transmission system. Ignoring these signs can lead to these problems becoming more serious which can lead to more costly repairs in the near future. Early diagnosis and intervention are crucial to ensure that your vehicle’s transmission stays healthy for a long period of time!
The Diagnostic Process
How Transmission Diagnostics Work
A proper diagnosis of your vehicle’s transmission and related systems should include several steps to ensure that a thorough and comprehensive examination has been completed:
- Rack check: Your vehicle should be put up in the air so that the technician can get under the vehicle and visually inspect the driveline. They will look to see if any components are damaged while also looking for signs of fluid leaks.
- Fluid check: The technician will inspect both the fluid level within the transmission as well as the condition of the fluid itself. Low fluid levels will cause internal transmission damage due to heat and lack of lubrication. The color and smell of the fluid can point to the breakdown of components within the transmission as well as signs that the transmission has been overheating.
- Diagnostic tool usage: The technician will use an electronic scanner to check for error codes as well as to watch the data stream between the various command and control modules within the driveline system.
- Road test: The technician will take the vehicle for a test drive in order to replicate the symptoms you felt as well as to assess the transmission’s performance and any other drivability issues.
Interpreting Diagnostic Results
A proper transmission diagnostic service can provide a technician with information that indicates specific transmission problems. The scanner can provide error codes that point to various electronic or mechanical problems both inside and outside of the transmission. The physical inspection can allow the technician to spot areas where the transmission has developed leaks that need to be addressed. Test driving can help the technician identify areas where the system is not working as designed. The entire diagnostic process allows the technician to formulate a specific repair strategy and communicate clear and precise issues to you to help you decide on a clear path to resolution.
Why Choose Us?
Our Expertise in Transmission Diagnostics
Our team is made up of trained and experienced technicians who specialize in transmission diagnostics and repairs. They are constantly receiving training in the latest diagnostic techniques and repair strategies. We invest in the most up-to-date diagnostic technology to ensure we are providing our customers with the most accurate and reliable inspections in the industry. We have been in business since 1986 and pride ourselves on being “geared for customer satisfaction”.
Our Commitment to Transparency and Trust
We believe in clear communication and transparency. After completing our thorough TrueTest diagnostic process, we’ll walk you through exactly what we found and what each finding means for the health of your transmission. We will make recommendations for maintenance and repairs and provide an honest estimate of the costs involved. In the end, your trust is our top priority!
FAQ’s
• When Should You Get a Transmission Diagnostic Test? Regular maintenance checks are essential, but if you should notice any of the symptoms mentioned above, it is time for a diagnostic test. Early detection can prevent far more costly repairs down the road.
• How Long Does a Diagnostic Test Take? The time necessary to complete a thorough diagnostic test can vary depending on the vehicle, but most are completed in about an hour.
• What Are the Costs Involved in a Transmission Diagnostic Test? Absolutely nothing. We provide our TrueTest diagnostic test at no charge to the customer.
• Can Transmission Issues Be Prevented? Regular maintenance and early diagnostics are key to preventing transmission issues from becoming serious. Make sure that you are following the manufacturer’s recommended service schedule and pay attention to your vehicle’s performance so that you can spot and potentially avoid many common transmission problems.
What To Expect During Your Visit
Upon arriving at one of our centers, you will be greeted by the facility manager who will take your information and ask questions regarding the symptoms you are experiencing. Our team of trained technicians will then perform the various diagnostic tests and complete a digital vehicle inspection report. The facility manager will then share the results of the TrueTest inspection with you so that you can discuss next steps and potential maintenance or repair needs.
Schedule a TrueTest Diagnostic Test Today
If you are having issues or suspect that you are starting to have signs of transmission trouble, give us a call! Regardless of the driveline problem you have, contact Advanced Transmission Center at either of our locations and we’d be happy to help! We’re your local transmission shop. Unlike dealerships or many independent repair shops, we are transmission specialists trained to diagnose and repair issues related to a vehicle drivetrain. You can reach out to whichever location is most convenient.
Advanced Transmission Center – Lakewood
1194 S. Pierce St
Lakewood, CO 80232
PHONE: (303) 816-3856
Advanced Transmission Center – Westminster
3686 W. 72nd Ave
Westminster, CO 80030
PHONE: (303) 647-5257
Please give us a call or send us a message ASAP. We look forward to serving your vehicle’s drivetrain and transmission needs. Over 35 years, our goal remains to be “Geared for Customer Satisfaction!
Advanced Transmission Center is a Colorado-owned and operated auto repair shop with locations in Denver / Lakewood and Westminster. ATC specializes in driveline issues such as automatic transmission repair, four wheel drive repair, clutch replacement, differentials, manual transmissions and CVT. As Colorado's first AAA approved shop our goal is to provide accurate, timely service with exceptional customer satisfaction. All of our technicians are certified in the latest makes and models and we are one of the few transmission repair shops with a nationwide warranty.