Signs Your Transmission Needs to be Checked

The transmission is one of the most complex systems in your car. Besides the basic function and whether your vehicle has an automatic or manual transmission, most people do not understand how a transmission works or even what it does. In basic terms, while your engine generates power, it is only one part of the equation to get your car moving. The engine generates rotational power, and the drive train transfers that power from the engine to the wheels. Your transmission acts as a go-between controlling the amount of power sent to the wheels. When you are in a low gear, the transmission will send more power to the wheels, which will help your car if you are going uphill or first move the vehicle. When the transmission is in a higher gear, such as going downhill or at your cruising speed, less power is needed to maintain your momentum. There are several signs you can look for to see if your transmission is about to fail.

Slipping Transmission

With an automatic transmission, shifting gears should be so smooth you do not even realize it is happening. A slipping transmission is when you can feel a sudden jolt when your transmission changes gears. Before switching gears, you will also notice the engine runs at extremely high RPMs and will appear to have lost power. After the gears do shift, the RPMs will drop, and you will feel the power of the lower gear kick in. A slipping transmission signifies a serious problem, and the vehicle should not be considered safe to drive.

Slow Shifting

With slow gear shifting, you will feel the transmission taking longer than usual to change gears. This might not be a sign of a serious problem, but it usually means there is a leak in the system, and you are low on transmission fluid. Transmission fluid is vital to the health of your transmission. Even if you do not have a problem with your transmission, the lack of fluid can cause the transmission to overheat, leading to much more serious and expensive problems.

Burning Smell

Any time you smell something burning, it is a sign of trouble, especially for transmissions. A burning smell can be from any number of issues such as low transmission fluid levels or the engine could be running hot, causing your transmission fluid to overheat, which will cause moving parts to not be adequately lubricated.

Leaking Fluid

Leaking fluid is a sign of a damaged gasket and could lead to more serious problems. The lack of fluid could cause your transmission to overheat and have lubrication issues, as mentioned above.

Unusual Noises Coming from the Transmission

Unusual noises are never a good thing. When noises are coming from your transmission, it could be a sign of a damaged gear, bad bearings, or low fluid levels. Never let a strange noise go unchecked. Even if the noise seems to disappear on its own, you should still get it checked out. If you notice any of these signs or think there is something wrong with your transmission, call our garage as soon as possible to make an appointment to come down and have us check it out. If you suspect transmission problems, it is best to avoid any long trips since you do not know when your transmission will completely give out, leaving you stranded wherever you are.