Information regarding automatic transmissions listed below
At Risk Vehicles
Are you driving a recreational vehicle, towing a trailer, going up and down mountains, overheating the vehicle or spending time in temperatures above 90 degrees? You should change your auto transmission fluid every 15,000 miles and you should consider purchasing an auxiliary cooler. The cooler will help to reduce stress on the transmission by keeping the temperature down. At Best Western Transmission, a technician can install a cooler for your vehicle.
Checking The Level Of Transmission Fluid
The following instructions are applicable to an automatic transmission:
To check the automatic transmission fluid (ATF), the vehicle must be on a level surface with the engine running and the transmission at normal operating temperature.
When you read the dipstick, the engine should be running, the emergency brake should be engaged and the shift selector in "park."
Consult your owners manual on where to find and how to read the dipstick. If you have lost your owners manual or are unable to read your "ATF" give the closest Best Western Transmission a call and we'll give you the best advice possible. A fluid level reading extremely above the full mark means your fluid may be too high. This may cause a churning action, turning the fluid into foam which can accelerate oxidation and introduce air into the oil. Ultimately, transmission pressure may be affected causing transmission damage.
A fluid level reading below the add mark means your fluid is too low, and this could cause transmission pressures to drop so as not to reach the moving gear train components. This situation frequently indicates a transmission fluid leak somewhere in the transmission and may result in transmission damage.
Look at the fluid on the dip stick to determine its condition. Normal is clear, red or a light brown color. Cloudiness may indicate your transmission fluid is getting "tired" and needs to be changed. If your "ATF" is contaminated with suspended metal or friction particles, this indicates wear and tear on the components of your transmission. Burnt fluid indicates damage from overheating or slipping. Fluid contaminated with water indicates a transmission oil or radiator cooler problem.
If the transmission fluid in your car is not at the proper level or condition, visit your Best Western Transmission Center. In either case, have your transmission checked out as soon as possible. It is important and may minimize the damage to your transmission. Our External Diagnostic Inspection is free and can answer many questions.
Checking the level and condition of manual transmission fluid is more difficult and Best Western Transmission recommends taking your vehicle to a trained Best Western Transmission center technician for servicing.
Checking Your Vehicle For Leaks
Discovering a leak early can help to avoid further damage to your transmission and save you a lot of money. The ideal method for finding leaks is to park your vehicle on a clean, clear spot. The area should be level. Twenty four (24) hours later, look at where the vehicle has been parked to see if your vehicle is leaking transmission fluid, usually red in color or light brown. If a green fluid appears, it's probably your engine coolant. Black is usually your engine oil. A leak in any one of these systems is something that will not get better, and will affect the performance and safety of your vehicle. If you are leaking anything, give the closest Best Western Transmission a call, and we will do all we can to help put you safely back on the road.
Changing Transmission Fluid
For slightly more than the cost of a motor oil change, an automatic transmission fluid change may be the best companion your automatic transmission has. Your transmission relies heavily on the level, temperature, and condition of its fluid, which serves to cool and lubricate. With automatic transmissions, the fluid also transfers power and provides necessary pressure to the internal parts of the transmission. Automatic transmission fluid must be checked and regularly changed. Have your transmission fluid changed at the scheduled intervals according to your owners manual. Most recommend every 30,000 miles. The filter should be replaced as well. Are you towing a trailer, going up and down mountains, overloading the car and spending time in temperatures above 90 degrees? Are you driving a recreational vehicle? At risk vehicles need more frequent automatic transmission fluid changes and possibly an auxiliary cooler. A trained Best Western Transmission technician is an expert in transmissions and will ensure the job is done right.
Delay Going Into Gear
Your automatic transmission was designed to work smoothly and without hesitation. If you are experiencing a delay before a gear is engaged, your transmission is likely malfunctioning. Any one of the following reasons could cause your transmission to delay going into gear:
The problem can be caused by an external part that needs to be adjusted or replaced. It may be an electronic control hindrance. There could also be a problem with the transmission fluid level which may be low because of leakage. These could potentially require only minor repairs.
If your automatic transmission has been overheated or the transmission fluid has become contaminated internal parts may be damaged. If this is the case, the transmission may need to be disassembled and rebuilt. This would be a major repair.
Whatever the cause might be, transmissions never fix themselves. Transmission problems always become worse with time, so having the problem fixed immediately will cost you less. Timely repairs are beneficial to you in terms of time and money, in addition to safety. A delay in your transmission is a warning that something is not functioning properly. The best advice is to see a Best Western Transmission technician nearest you as soon as possible and ask for an External Diagnostic Inspection. Remember, it will not cost you anything to find out what needs to be done, and if you live in Colorado Springs or Fort Collins, we are just around the corner.
External Diagnostic Inspection
The External Diagnostic Inspection is a method of evaluating the performance and condition of your transmission. It consists of three steps at no cost to you:
1. A Best Western Transmission Technician checks the level and condition of your transmission fluid.
2. A road test is performed to check the operation of your vehicle.
3. Your car will be placed on a lift and the external linkage or controls are inspected.
All of this is done free of charge as a service to our customers. Give us a call wherever you are and we'll be glad to help.
Fluid Leak
A transmission leak is not something to ignore. The transmission fluid serves to cool and lubricate. With an automatic transmission, the fluid transfers power and provides necessary pressure to the internal parts of the transmission. All of these functions are affected when the transmission fluid is leaking and is now low from that leak. As the amount of transmission fluid goes down, your transmission will begin slipping which causes overheating. This results in damage to the transmission and could ultimately require a major repair to enable the transmission to function properly. If there is a leak, small or large, give the closest Best Western Transmission a call, and we will do all we can to help put you safely back on the road, by giving you the honest advice you need.
Know The Facts
Why does it cost so much to have my transmission repaired?
If a repair deal sounds just too good to be true; sadly, it probably is.
Today's automatic transmissions, particularly those with front wheel drive technology, overdrive, all wheel drive or computerized systems, are extremely complicated units. There are over 3,000 in today's average transmission. Since these units are so complex, the best friend your transmission can have is a Transmission Fluid Change.
Always remember that minor problems now become major problems later. Transmission problems do not go away on their own. For the best transmission service available, visit your Best Western Transmission center for a External Diagnostic Inspection. This service is free! Transmission repair in Colorado Springs and Fort Collins is just around the corner.
In Colorado Springs and Fort Collins, Best Western Transmission is the largest independent transmission shop.
Transmission Noise
Sometimes transmission noise is from an external part, which may or may not be your transmission. Other times, it is an internal problem. If you are hearing a noise in your transmission, have it checked as soon as possible by a qualified Best Western Transmission technician. When everything is in place and working properly, a transmission makes no noise. The longer you drive a car with noise in the transmission, the more damage you can cause to the internal or external parts. Best Western Transmission performs an External Diagnostic Inspection to get to the bottom of your transmission problems. The External Diagnostic Inspection won't cost anything. Taking care of the problem early could save you money, time and the inconvenience of having your car break down on the side of the road. The best advice is to drive to the Best Western Transmission location nearest you as soon as possible.
Quality Control
When Best Western Transmission works on your transmission, there is no guessing about quality.
THOROUGH CLEANING
Every transmission is completely disassembled, thoroughly cleaned and inspected. All parts are inspected for contaminants that result in premature wear to gears, bearings, shafts and other precision components . Transmission cleaning includes washing individual components by hand. Parts are carefully inspected and bushings are replaced to insure proper clearance.
NEW PARTS
Best Western Transmission receives a standard set of new parts. Best Western Transmission technicians automatically install new friction clutch plates, sprags, bearings, races, bushings, washers, filter or screen assembly, gaskets and seals. Our standard parts replacement assures smooth, consistent performance and long unit life. Best Western Transmission transmissions are assembled by trained technicians who specialize in automatic transmissions. When available, Best Western Transmission always uses original equipment.
ROAD TESTING
Before your vehicle is returned to you our technicians and our shop manager will road test your vehicle to ensure that it is functioning properly and performing correctly. They make sure your safety is never compromised and you're back on the road where you belong.
Signs Of Minor Problems
The most common signal of a transmission problem can include: low level transmission fluid due to leaking, noise from the transmission, a delay in shifting, and slipping out of gear. These could be minor problems now and major problems later. Transmission problems do not go away on their own, so see a trained Best Western Transmission service technician in Colorado Springs or Fort Collins as soon as possible. For a free External Diagnostic Inspection , your local Best Western Transmission is only a phone call away.
Transmission Slipping
If your transmission is slipping, something is wrong and you need to have a trained technician evaluate the problem. An External Diagnostic Inspection is your best bet, and remember, it doesn't cost you anything. A transmission is designed to hold effortlessly in any gear. If the transmission is slipping out of gear, something has gone wrong with the external controls, the internal parts or electronic controls of the transmission.
External controls sometimes need adjustment or replacement. This is considered to be a minor repair. If the problem is internal, it could be something as easy as a low fluid level and insufficient pressure. A slipping transmission will only get worse, and may leave you stranded and in need of a tow a long way from home. Call Best Western Transmission as soon as you notice the problem. This may not only minimize the damage to your transmission and potentially save you money on a repair; but also gives you the peace of mind you need when traveling. The best advice is to see a Best Western Transmission location nearest you as soon as possible.
Transmission Won't Go Into Gear
If your transmission is not going into gear, you have a transmission or clutch problem. You will probably need to be towed to your local Best Western Transmission where the transmission and / or clutch will need to be examined for the cause. If your vehicle can still be driven, and you do not want it towed, drive directly to your local Best Western Transmission center for an External Diagnostic Inspection. Remember this service never costs you anything.
When a transmission will not go into gear, various components of the transmission or clutch system are not functioning properly. The problem may be one of a few possibilities such as an external control needing adjustment or replacement.
This is considered to be a minor repair. Before damage becomes worse, and to avoid being left with a vehicle that
won't operate and is not safe; see your closest Best Western Transmission
for a External Diagnostic Inspection. It won't cost you anything.
Vehicle Won't Move
A vehicle that won't move more than likely will need to be towed to your nearest Best Western Transmission. Call the Best Western Transmission closest to you, and we'll give you the best advice we can. Transmissions are extremely complex and vary according to year, make and model. You will want to be sure to select expert home town technicians to work on your vehicle and a transmission center that guarantees its work from coast to coast. Best Western Transmission has serviced more than 50,000 transmissions in Colorado Springs and Fort Collins and we offer a Nationwide Warranty.
Transmission problems always become worse with time, so having the transmission serviced immediately will cost you less. It will be beneficial to you in terms of time and money, in addition to safety. The best advice is to see a Best Western Transmission service technician nearest you as soon as possible and ask for an External Diagnostic Inspection. Remember, it will not cost you anything to find out what needs to be done, and if you live in Colorado Springs or Fort Collins, a Best Western Transmission location is just around the corner.
On Galley Rd. at the Citadel Mall, Colorado Springs CO 80909 (719) 596-0187
6157 N. Academy, Colorado Springs CO 80918 (719) 598-4544
1810 South College, Fort Collins CO 80525 (970) 484-6255

