Transmission Repair and Replacement

Transmission Repair Services in Manassas, VA.

There is no single component in a vehicle more complex than the transmission. There is also no single component in a vehicle that’s as neglected or misunderstood. In layman’s terms, the transmission is responsible for delivering power to the wheels by shifting gears (automatically or manually) by dynamically changing the gear ratio. This, consequently, permits a vehicle to make full use of the engine’s power output as efficiently as possible.


Most modern transmissions rely on complicated electronic control systems. Even the simplest problems can be easily misdiagnosed if the shop does not have the right technical expertise or equipment to pinpoint problems that are, in many cases, minor. Due to their complexity and the fact that transmissions are in constant use, they experience a lot of wear and tear. Add to this the fact that many owners forget to check and change the fluid on a regular basis, it’s easy to see why so many people have problems. As an aside, regularly changing the transmission fluid or flushing the transmission, typically between every 30-50,000 miles, can avoid many of these problems.


Problematic Symptoms:

So, how do you know if your transmission is having problems? There are a number of symptoms of a damaged or worn out transmission. Since a mechanical failure can cause the car to shut down and disable it entirely, it is important to watch for these signs and get your car inspected at the first sign of trouble.


  • Shifting: On a transmission in which the gears slip, the car can spontaneously pop out of gear. This is unnerving at best and potentially dangerous at worst, especially if it happens when an 18-wheeler is bearing down on you.
  • Slippage: Whether your transmission is manual or automatic, if it lags between when you hit the gas pedal and the car actually accelerates, it’s starting to break down. Another “sign” is if you feel a strong jerk as your transmission responds to the accelerator being pressed.
  • Leaks: Leaking transmission fluid is probably one of the easiest ways to determine your car needs attention. A little fluid on your driveway can quickly turn into a huge and expensive transmission problem.
  • Odd noises: If you drive your car for a while, you get used to “normal” sounds it makes. Abnormal noises to listen for are clunking, grinding, humming sounds, or a high-pitched whine. Owners who ignore these will likely have a costly repair the longer they wait.
  • Burning smell: A burning smell is not normal. If the transmission is going bad, you can often smell the burnt transmission fluid when you get out of the car. This indicates that the oil in the transmission, which is designed to cool and lubricate critical parts, is overheating.


Transmission Repair Costs:

Repairing a transmission is one of the more expensive jobs performed by a technician. The cost of repairing or replacing a transmission varies widely and depends on a number of factors.

For one, it depends on the make and model of the vehicle. Domestic models cost quite a bit less than high-end or imported vehicles such as BMW, Mercedes, Audi and Volkswagen. Also, older, rare or exotic cars can be more expensive since parts are harder to source/locate. Generally speaking, manual transmissions cost less to repair/replace than automatic transmissions. Finally, it depends on the extent of the damage and what needs to be fixed.

The average cost of transmission replacement ranges from $1800 to $3500. A used/salvage transmission costs between $800 and $1500, a rebuilt transmission between $1500 and $2500, and a remanufactured between $2500 and $3500. This doesn’t include the labor cost to remove and replace a transmission either, which ranges from $450 to $850 for four to nine hours.


Finding the Right Transmission Repair Shop:


Due to their complexity and how difficult transmissions are to service, choosing the right technician can make the difference between a relatively inexpensive fix and a long-lasting and costly repair. When conducting your research, work only with highly rated shops that have solid reputations. If possible, get quotes from several sources and make an objective decision based on the shop’s experience and reputation. It should also be noted that lowest estimate is not necessarily the best option since some unethical repair shops offer unrealistically low prices just to get your business, and then add hidden/additional fees onto the final price.


We know transmissions. If the time comes when you need to have it serviced, or if you think you’re having problems, give us a call. No one does it better than Coho Auto expert technicians when it comes to transmission service, repair or replacement.

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