Always get a written estimate of repairs before leaving your vehicle at a repair shop; this is your Additional brochures published right under Michigan law. by the Department of State: Auto Repair Rights & Repair Tips ■ Are Rebuilt Transmissions Consumer’s Automotive Information & OK? Complaint Kit There is nothing wrong with having a rebuilt put into your vehicle — but only if you Consumer’s Guide to need one. Having your transmission repaired may be Brake Repair Service CONSUMER’S less expensive. Consumer’s Guide to Buying a Vehicle from a Dealership GUIDE TO ■ What If I Authorize Consumer’s Guide to Collision Repairs AUTOMATIC Repairs? Consumer’s Guide to Engine Under Michigan law a repair shop is required Replacement TRANSMISSION to give you a written estimate for fixing the Consumer’s Guide to Vehicle Leasing transmission. SERVICE If repairs are done, you are entitled by law to Consumer’s Guide to Vehicle Restoration inspect and receive parts that were removed from your vehicle and replaced. Always ask for and take these parts. For some parts the shop may require you to pay a fee known as a “core charge.” If the replaced Bureau of Regulatory Services parts are not needed to settle a complaint, returning them to the repair shop entitles you to a refund of the Michigan Department of State core charge. P.O. Box 30046 Lansing, MI 48909-7546 Michigan law also entitles you to an itemized invoice showing all costs for parts and labor. Getting Telephone: (800) 292-4204 replaced parts and a final bill can be very helpful if TDD: (517) 322-1477 you have a complaint against the repair shop. Fax: (517) 373-8791 www.Michigan.gov/sos ■ What If I Have A Click on “Owning a Vehicle” Complaint? If you cannot settle your dispute directly with the repair shop, you may file a complaint with the Department of State. If you believe you were charged for repairs that were not done or you were told that you needed repairs which you later found were not needed (even if you didn’t have the repairs done), contact the Department of State immediately. MICHIGAN DEPARTMENT OF STATE www.Michigan.gov/sos SOS-264 (7/05). 20,000; $1,597; $.08 Printed under authority of P.A. 300 of 1974. hat’s wrong with it? How long If your transmission performance seems good, If you are interested in an advertised will it take? How much will it the fluid is clear and red, and you have not had to transmission service: W cost? Will they fix it right? These add fluid, leave your transmission alone, unless the  Find out exactly what is and isn’t included. are some of the questions you may ask when vehicle manufacturer recommends otherwise.  If the repair shop says your transmission you take your vehicle to a repair shop for work. needs major repair work, read the following Your concern may be even greater if the problem section on “teardowns.” involves something as complicated as an automatic ■ What Is An Inspection transmission. Service? If a shop gives you a hassle or will not return your vehicle immediately when you refuse its The Michigan Department of State wants you to The inspection service offered by most recommended service, telephone the Department of know your rights when it comes to vehicle repairs. transmission shops includes such procedures as: State at the toll-free number listed on the back of this The department licenses and regulates  Fluid level check; brochure. repair shops, informs consumers of their rights and  Test drive; investigates complaints.  Manual linkage check; This brochure gives you some guidelines on how ■ Should I Let A Mechanic to proceed with an automatic transmission problem,  Oil pan removal; Do A “Teardown”? and how to get help if you have a complaint against a  Band adjustment, screen cleaning or filter replacement. Experienced, state-certified transmission repair shop. mechanics can usually diagnose the extent of a The oil pan is usually removed and inspected for problem and provide a written estimate without ■ What Is An Automatic metal particles and friction material. disassembling your transmission. But sometimes a Tiny metal particles in the transmission pan do mechanic recommends the transmission be removed Transmission? not necessarily indicate a problem. and disassembled for close inspection: a teardown. The transmission is a group of parts that If you have had no transmission problems, yet transmits power from a vehicle’s engine to the drive ■ If There Is A Problem, the mechanic says a teardown is needed, insist on a , which in turn makes the go around. If written reason why. You should try to get a second you do not use a to switch , your vehicle How Much Will It Cost? opinion before authorizing a teardown. has an automatic transmission. If you use a clutch, The transmission is a complicated assembly and your transmission is manual. Once you authorize a teardown, you will have to many different things may go wrong with it. pay for it, plus reassembly costs, if you decide not to Automatic transmissions contain oil called Some easy-to-reach small parts may cost as little have repairs made. “transmission fluid” to cool and lubricate the as $20 including labor. At the other extreme, it may mechanism. The level and quality of this fluid should BEFORE you authorize a teardown, ask the cost hundreds of dollars to repair or rebuild a severely repair shop to provide a written maximum price for be checked regularly and replaced if needed. See your damaged transmission. owner’s manual for maintenance recommendations. fixing the transmission in case it does need repairs. Your best bet is to invest in inexpensive routine If the mechanic says he or she cannot do this before maintenance and get at least two written estimates if doing a teardown, TAKE YOUR VEHICLE TO A ■ What Is Normal repairs are recommended. SHOP THAT CAN. Maintenance? Maintenance consists primarily of checking the ■ Is It OK To Buy An ■ How Do I Choose A transmission fluid quality and level. If recommended Advertised “Special”? Repair Shop? by the vehicle manfacturer, it may also include Many repair shops — especially those that periodic replacement of the fluid and cleaning or Your regular auto mechanic, family, friends, specialize in transmission repair — advertise free or replacement of the transmission screen or filter. neighbors and co-workers may be able to recommend very low cost transmission “maintenance” service, Consult your owner’s manual for details. a competent transmission specialist — and tell you free towing and other specials. which shops to avoid. Routine maintenance can be performed by most BEWARE! Some repair shops use these tactics service stations, repair shops or auto dealerships, and The best advice is to get a couple of opinions to lure you in and sell you expensive repairs that you does not require a specialist. from different shops on a transmission problem. may not need. Always get a written estimate of repairs before leaving your vehicle at a repair shop; this is your Additional brochures published right under Michigan law. by the Department of State: Auto Repair Rights & Repair Tips ■ Are Rebuilt Transmissions Consumer’s Automotive Information & OK? Complaint Kit There is nothing wrong with having a rebuilt transmission put into your vehicle — but only if you Consumer’s Guide to need one. Having your transmission repaired may be Brake Repair Service CONSUMER’S less expensive. Consumer’s Guide to Buying a Vehicle from a Dealership GUIDE TO ■ What If I Authorize Consumer’s Guide to Collision Repairs AUTOMATIC Repairs? Consumer’s Guide to Engine Under Michigan law a repair shop is required Replacement TRANSMISSION to give you a written estimate for fixing the Consumer’s Guide to Vehicle Leasing transmission. SERVICE If repairs are done, you are entitled by law to Consumer’s Guide to Vehicle Restoration inspect and receive parts that were removed from your vehicle and replaced. Always ask for and take these parts. For some parts the shop may require you to pay a fee known as a “core charge.” If the replaced Bureau of Regulatory Services parts are not needed to settle a complaint, returning them to the repair shop entitles you to a refund of the Michigan Department of State core charge. P.O. Box 30046 Lansing, MI 48909-7546 Michigan law also entitles you to an itemized invoice showing all costs for parts and labor. Getting Telephone: 1-888-SOS-MICH replaced parts and a final bill can be very helpful if (1-888-767-6424) you have a complaint against the repair shop. Fax: (517) 373-8791 www.Michigan.gov/sos ■ What If I Have A Click on “Owning a Vehicle” Complaint? If you cannot settle your dispute directly with the repair shop, you may file a complaint with the Department of State. If you believe you were charged for repairs that were not done or you were told that you needed repairs which you later found were not needed (even if you didn’t have the repairs done), contact the Department of State immediately. MICHIGAN DEPARTMENT OF STATE www.Michigan.gov/sos SOS-264 (7/05). 20,000; $1,597; $.08 Printed under authority of P.A. 300 of 1974.