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Consumer Information
The following information is provided to our customers to help in making decisions about their transmission service and repair. Please ask us if you have any other questions about our services.
Don't Gamble! 
You have a choice when it comes to fixing your transmission. You can buy a new one, a used one, a rebuilt one off of the Internet, or a rebuilt one from a reputable repair shop.
New is the most expensive and are not always available. Most dealers only carry Reman which is basically a more expensive rebuilt transmission.
Used sounds good, but is not always the cheapest. You get a warranty that guarantees you another transmission free if the one that you purchase doesn't work, but it doesn't pay for the labor, parts and possible towing charges that accrue every time we have to remove and replace a transmission.
Rebuilt off of the Internet sounds the cheapest, but when you consider the "what ifs" you'd better think twice. What if it doesn't work? They will replace it with another transmission, but they will charge you shipping again. What if the shipping time is too long and we have to charge you storage or tow the car back to your home? Most cars would need additional labor to even be able to be towed. Who pays for that? What if their warranty coverage only pays $25 per hour to install the second transmission? You would be stuck paying the difference of Hi-Tech’s additional labor charges.
Rebuilt from a reputable shop is the best way to go. You have no worries and less hassles. You get an honest price quote up front before doing the work which includes all parts and labor. You get a warranty from the shop doing the work that will cover everything with no extra charges to you the customer. And should the unthinkable happen and you break down because of the transmission after we rebuild it -- we will make sure that get your car repaired and returned back to you in a timely fashion -- no matter where you are when you break down.
Did you know?
Most warranty companies do not recognize transmission flushes as proper maintenance to comply with your warranty contract. Service intervals should be every 30 months or 30,000 miles
How Long?
Transmission overhauls require 2 to 5 working days or more depending on parts and the type of transmission. If parts must be special ordered, it could take up to 2 weeks! We do not manufacture parts and are at the mercy of the parts suppliers! We appreciate your patience and understanding. Hi-tech Transmissions will make every effort to repair your vehicle as promptly as we can.
Charging Systems
Computer controlled transmission and transaxle vehicles must have a fully operational charging system, including but not limited to battery and alternator. This is an entirely separate system that must be checked prior to any work performed on the transmission. Parts and/or repairs of the charging system are not included in the estimate of transmission repair. Hi-Tech Transmissions cannot guarantee any transmission work unless the charging system is functioning properly.
The Reality
Today’s cars are incredibly complex. They are a series of systems that interact and work together to operate the whole design. All related parts must be made to function properly to repair a transmission.
Transmission Flush
Just changing transmission fluid is not acceptable...
We at Hi-Tech feel that flushing a transmissions without first servicing the pan and filter could result in major problems due to the abnormal amount of debris from an undetected problem that would have been caught in a normal service. Almost all late model cars with FWD and OD’s have a felt lined filter that can clog and cause premature transmission failure making it more important to service newer cars than the old ones that had a screen that didn’t need to be replaced.
Antifreeze and/or Water Contamination
Antifreeze and/or water contaminated transmission fluid will causes friction material breakdown and lip seal degradation. The binder (Glue) in friction materials will dissolve causing friction material to flake off. Automatic transmission fluid contaminated with antifreeze and/or water will look very much like a "strawberry milkshake". Just changing the transmission fluid is not acceptable. Friction material and seals that have been exposed to antifreeze and/or water, even for a short period of time, will eventually be damaged. The torque converter cannot be completely drained, so contamination would still be present when the remaining fluid circulates through the transmission. Most late model converters also have a clutch lining (friction material) on the inside of them, so converter replacement is mandatory.
If transmission fluid is contaminated with antifreeze and/or water:
- Locate the source of the leak and repair or replace the radiator as necessary.
- Replace the transmission or transaxle, or completely overhaul, including ALL internal and external seals, ALL friction material (clutches, bands, etc.).
- Replace the torque converter as it contains friction material that MUST be replaced.
- If the water contamination was from a flood or any external source, it will still need replacing or rebuilding.
Why did my trans go out?
The average life expectancy of an automatic transmission is over 100,000 miles, some go a lot longer, some go less. The #1 killer if overheating. The total volume of ATF (automatic transmission fluid) has been reduced on new vehicle because of weight, making servicing even more critical. The #2 killers are leaks. Part of normal service is checking for leaks.
Lack of serving a late model front wheel drive or an overdrive transmission with a felt type filter can also overheat a transmission and cause premature transmission failure. Other factors are weather, summer heat, severe cold, getting stuck in snow, traffic jams, engine performance, motor temperature effects, and transmission temperature.
Remember this:
Older vehicles with 3 speed transmissions that had 100,000 miles were considered high mileage vehicles because the engine had to run at over 3000 RPM to go 60 - 65 mph, putting the strain on the engine not the transmission. In newer cars with overdrives, the strain is on the transmission, making the engine last from 150,000 to 200,000 miles on average.
Cautions!
Check fluids regularly (even if there is no dipstick). That’s right, some newer cars have no dipstick to check the fluid yourself. What were the manufacturers thinking? Before going on long trips have the fluids checked, even if you do not see leaks in the driveway or garage. The level could already be to low to leave spots.
Diagnosing Drivability Problems
Today’s automobiles are packed with about a thousand time as much computing power as was in the Apollo moon lander and with:
- 5 or 6 speed transmission
- CVT’s (Continuously Variable Transmissions)
- AWD’s (All Wheel Drive)
- DBW’s (Drive by Wires)
- AMT’s (Automatic Manual Transmissions) “Clutchless manual”
- SMG’s (Sequential Manual Gearbox) “Auto or Manual”
All these things make diagnosing drivability problems harder than ever. “LEAVE IT TO THE EXPERTS”
The Bottom Line:
We do it right, we stand behind our work, and our commitment is to quality, dependability, loyalty, reliability, and consistency.
Congratulations
For researching a major decision.
Copyright © 2004 by Hi-Tech Transmissions, Inc. All product names and company logos are the property of their respective owners.
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