subject: Transmission Repair: Timely Maintenance To Save Money [print this page] There are few car bills more expensive than the one you'll get for major transmission repair. In fact, if things are bad enough, simply fixing it won't be enough. The mechanic will be left with two choices: rebuilding it or replacing it entirely. Neither of these is going to be a friendly economic solution, but the only other option will be to buy a new car. Thankfully, there are things you can do to ensure you never get to this crossroads. Here are some maintenance tips you can put into use to keep you from that big bill.
Know Your Car
They say that a stitch in time saves nine, and nowhere is that more true than when it comes to transmission repair. If you're the type of driver who turns up the radio when they hear something strange coming from under the hood, you're just inviting trouble. There may come a day when cars can fix themselves, but that time isn't now. A problem is only going to get worse the longer you let it fester. What might have cost a couple of hundred dollars to fix today could cost a thousand or more to fix in another few months. The moment you hear or feel anything strange, get it checked out by a trustworthy mechanic.
Don't Self-Diagnose
The Internet has made it easy to plug a set of symptoms into a search engine and see what comes back. People do it for their health problems, they do it with their cars--and it's probably not the best idea in either case. Doctors and mechanics exist for a reason, and part of that reason is diagnostic in nature. Today's vehicles are controlled by computers, making it difficult for many amateur mechanics to diagnose a problem even when they have access to the vehicle and a wealth of experience on which to draw. What are you really going to learn from a message board online about transmission repair? That may not even be the problem. Take it to a professional.
Watch Your Fluid
It doesn't take long for fluid depravation to create a need for transmission repair. Watch your fluid levels carefully. Unless there's a problem, you shouldn't be experiencing a leak or a burn off of significant proportions. If you notice any strange smells, any red puddles underneath your car, or a sudden drop in fluid levels, make sure you get it checked out by a mechanic. It costs a lot less to drop some more fluid into the car than to have major work done.
