Imagine your life without your car. Hard to do, isn’t it?
You jump behind the wheel in the morning, and it’s go-go all day. You start it and stop it. You brake for lights and stop signs. You throw it into gear as you drive away. You put it into reverse as you back out of parking spaces.
But what if you notice a problem? What if you try to put it into gear and it slips? Or refuses to switch gears?
That’s a sign of transmission problems.
What Is A Transmission?
In simple terms, a transmission is a mechanical component that transmits power from the engine to the wheels. Its primary function is to ensure that the engine operates within an optimal range of speeds while providing a range of output speeds to the wheels. This allows the vehicle to accelerate smoothly from a standstill to high speeds and to operate efficiently under various driving conditions.
Today, we almost always operate with automatic transmissions. This is where the vehicle automatically changes gears based on speed and engine load without the driver needing to intervene.
If you drive a sports car or an older vehicle, you might have driven with a manual transmission. This is where the driver manually shifts gears using a clutch and gear stick. Continuously variable transmissions and dual-clutch transmissions exist too, though they aren’t as common.
Signs Of Transmission Problems
Transmissions work … until they don’t. Luckily, transmission failure doesn’t usually happen without warning.
Listen to your car. Pay attention. It rarely goes from working to nothing without warning.
Noises
This is one of the most popular ways people start to notice problems. They turn the key, they put it in drive, and hear something unusual. When you know how your car usually sounds, it’s easy to pick up when things don’t sound quite right.
Don’t ignore these sounds. Clunking, humming, or whining are all indicators of automatic transmission problems. If you notice it when your car is shifting gears, it is a clear indicator of problems. It’s time for a mechanic to look it over.
Smells
What’s that smell? If it seems to be coming from your engine compartment, it’s a sure sign of a problem. As transmission fluid runs low or wears down, it overheats and starts to burn. It can create a burning smell that’s hard to ignore. The longer it operates under these conditions, the more damage will occur with your engine. A hot engine contributes to early wear and corrosion.
Of course, smells can come from many places. Maybe a trapped plastic bag made its way up and melted inside the engine compartment. Maybe dripping antifreeze is causing a problem. Whatever the case, treat the smell as a problem, and get it checked out quickly.
Check Engine Light
There can be dozens of little lights on your dashboard, all blinking for your attention. Each of them means something different. But the check engine light is often the one that confuses people the most. It can tell you the gas cap is loose, you have a faulty oxygen sensor, or you have transmission problems. Big difference, right?
If the transmission is triggering a dashboard icon, it’s sensing jerks and tremors you might not notice until later. It’s picking up these subtle changes, alerting you to potential problems. If you get it checked quickly, it might remain a minor problem, and be an easier, less expensive fix.
Shifting Problems
When your car is working correctly, it slides into gear every time you adjust the gears. Problems arise when you notice that the slide isn’t working quite the way it used to. It hesitates. It gives you no response. Ignore this, and there may come a time when the transmission leaves you stranded, without being able to get it into gear.
Fluid Leaks
Your vehicle has several essential fluids to keep it operating and lubricated. If fluids break down or start to leak, the system weakens and eventually becomes inoperable.
A transmission fluid leak is easy to spot. It has a unique red color and sweet smell. If it’s degrading, it will take on a darker red color and start to have a toasted smell.
This is something you can easily watch for yourself. Take a look at your driveway as you drive away. If you see the red color, your transmission fluid is leaking. It’s time to bring it in right away.
Won’t Go Into Gear
You go to move from park to reverse or drive, and it refuses to go into gear. It’s often a fluid issue. If the fluid is clean, it might be a problem with the shift cables or clutch. The computer system could also be the issue.
If it is the computer system, you can give your car a reboot. Disconnect the battery for a few minutes, and the computer reboots once it’s reengaged. If you still have a problem, it’s one of the others. You’ll need to get your car into see one of our mechanics to fix the problem.
Slipping Gears
With a manual transmission, you, the driver, change gears. With an automatic, you can choose reverse, neutral, or drive, then the transmission handles the rest.
If your car is slipping between gears without any change from you, it’s dangerous for you and the engine. This could be caused by low fluids or worn down transmission components that are allowing the gear to slip. Get your vehicle into our repair shop to avoid dangerous situations.
Pay Attention and Don’t Miss These Transmission Problems
If you’ve noticed any of these transmission problems, it’s time to get it checked out. Whether you hear it, smell it, or notice it as you drive, don’t put it off. Minor problems can be easier and less expensive to fix. Bigger problems risk leaving you stranded by the side of the road.
Have questions? We’re here to help. Come in today and we’ll help you get to the root of the problem.