Your transmission is an important part of your vehicle—if it stops working, head to a nearby transmission shop to let the pros diagnose and address the problem. That said, before you schedule transmission service, there are some points to keep in mind to ensure that you get the best results without paying more than you have to.

First, be aware that the experts at a transmission shop have a very specialized type of knowledge, focusing on a part of your vehicle that many people don’t fully understand or appreciate. As such, it’s important to take their recommendations seriously.

You might find a shop where the team immediately suggests replacing your transmission. Because you don’t know any different, you might assume that this is the only option.

In truth, there are a number of common transmission issues that a crew should test for before deciding to charge you for a replacement. You might simply have low transmission fluid levels. The fluid lubricates the internal components, and it applies the necessary pressure on the gears. When your fluid level is low, shifting might be difficult, erratic, or even impossible. The same types of problems can occur when you have dirty transmission fluid.

Before accepting the cost of replacing it, you should ask the team if they checked for these issues. You should also ask about checking for a failed shift solenoid, another common cause of these problems.

The most important thing to do when your transmission stops working is to trust the pros. But doing a little research ahead of time won’t hurt.

Need a transmission repair team you can rely on? Take your vehicle to Northgate Transmissions, serving clients throughout the Cincinnati, OH, area. Contact them online or call (513) 385-4400.