Tri-City Transmission, family owned and operated, has specialized in transmission repair and drive train repair in the valley for over 45 years. However, one of our big frustrations was finding a good general repair shop to partner with in the instance of a repair that split the specialties. So as the saying goes, if you want something done right, you have to do it yourself. This created the birth of Tri-City Auto Repair.

Knowing the two different mindsets of general automotive repair, in other words, your regular mechanic and a transmission technician, we wanted to do it different than other transmission shops that had gotten into the regular mechanic business. We didn’t want to use transmission technicians to do other repairs as frankly, we knew it was not their skill set. So we headhunted and hired the best automotive generalist we could find. Our least experienced automotive technician has over 20 years in the business. Being not only experts in the field of transmissions but also being experts with the rest of the vehicle is a luxury we enjoy. You can be assured we are more than competent with the complete vehicle, top to bottom.

Oil Changes
The simplest of maintenances can be done wrong, causing you issues down the road. In a lot of shops, oil changes are given to the lowest guy on the ladder. We understand that everybody has to start somewhere. All of us were the oil change guy at one point; it’s just where you start. However, we don’t want to use your vehicle as a classroom. Your oil will be changed by a seasoned technician, not an apprentice or a shop clean up guy, assuring your oil change meets and exceeds factory recommendations. We utilize only high quality oils that meet all the specifications of your vehicle’s manufacturer as well as a high quality oil filter. Every oil change comes with a 36 point inspection which can be upgraded to a 50 point inspection at your discretion. A pencil whipped inspection is not in our vocabulary. If we said we checked it, WE DID!! We feel this gives you the confidence you need to stay safely on the road.

Engine Cooling Systems
Water pumps, radiators, radiator hoses, fan clutches, electric cooling fans, thermostats, and heater controls are just a few of the components to an engines cooling system. Arizona is torturous on vehicles. When it’s 120 degrees outside, your body doesn’t like it, so neither does your vehicle. We repair plenty of engine cooling systems but feel the best way to prevent breakdown is pro-active maintenance and repair of your cooling system. Nothing ruins a vehicle quicker than overheating it!!! Read more.

Air Condition Systems
Cooling your engine is one thing, cooling the passengers is altogether another. With the latest air conditioning equipment and skilled technicians we perform everything from your basic air condition check, to an air condition service all the way up to complete a/c system replacement. Other service and repairs include, air condition compressors, condenser fans, blower fans, leaky refrigerant hose repairs, condensers, evaporative core replacements, expansion valves, orifice tubes, and control modules. The modern air condition system in a vehicle is so precise, accurate repair and maintenance is absolutely crucial for an effective air condition system. Read more.

Brakes
The brakes on the modern vehicle last 50% longer than they did in the days of old. Brakes stop way better and they are way quieter with less squeaky annoyances. The phenomenal design and function of the modern brake system does not come without complexities. Your brake system is more complex than the simple pad change. It includes components such as: brakes booster, hydro boost, brake master cylinder, brake calipers, parking brakes, antilock brake function and controls, speed sensors, control modules, vehicle stability controls, yaw sensors, steering angle sensors and so on. So when it’s time to maintain your brakes you want to be sure you keep them up to the original equipment standards so you are safely on the road with all the robust safety built into your brakes. Remember, well designed brakes should not be replaced with subpar aftermarket parts negating some of that exceptional safety. We will always install the right quality parts for your vehicle, keeping your brakes finely tuned and you safely on the road. Read more.

Exhaust and Catalytic Converters
With federal emission regulations as tight as they are, the exhaust system is at the forefront of vehicle design. Emission codes are so often wrongly diagnosed with oxygen sensors (O2 Sensors) and catalytic converters being replaced in error. Truly understanding the vehicles design and Stoichiometry gives us an advantage when it comes to diagnosing exhaust and emissions related issues. Read more.

Engine Mounts, Transmission Mounts, Differential Mounts
In order for the auto manufacturer to provide a buttery luxurious ride in the passenger compartment, rubber mounts are a huge part of the equation. The rubber is meant to isolate vibrations from the engine, transmission, differentials and suspension components making sure that vibration does not transfer into the seat of your pants. Rubber placed in the harsh climates of the engine compartment where it is tortured with stresses of the drive train components eventually does fail. Bad engine mounts not attended to not only wrecks vehicle feel it starts a domino effect of vehicle breakdown. When drive train mounts fail the engine and transmission are flopping around under the hood putting undue stress on the cooling system hoses, air condition hoses, wiring harnesses and so on. Ignored motor mount issues will eventually wreck a car – Don’t be a victim of automotive neglect and unnecessary repair expense. Tend to your mounts!! Read more.

Timing Belt Replacement
Once a big topic of discussion, everyone has become accustomed to getting their timing belt changed. Recommendations in the past surrounded a timing belt change at 60k miles. Some shops, technicians, and dealerships are still making this recommendation, but in a lot of cases, it is way overkill. Done at the appropriate mileage, a good timing belt replacement will include: a quality timing belt, quality water pump, quality idler pulleys, quality tensioner pulleys and a cooling system flush with premium factory fill coolant. We said quality several times, don’t miss this fact, quality is imperative. With the competition in auto repair being what it is, some auto shops and dealerships buy the lowest quality part to keep the price down and their margin up. An auto shop buying cheap parts doesn’t necessarily save you money, just brings future breakdown. If you’re going to get a timing belt, make sure it is done right – otherwise, don’t waste your money. The consequences of a poorly done timing belt will haunt you later. Read more.