Your car will tell you if the transmission is going bad, but the signs of transmission problems can be subtle at first. This is why it’s important to get the transmission serviced every 30,000 miles. J&S Auto Repair would be happy to inspect your transmission if you suspect it’s going bad. Here are common signs of transmission trouble.
Gear Problems
Whether the transmission fluid is low or the gears are worn, your transmission should never fight you to go into gear, refuse to shift through the gear cycle, or slip out of gear. If your car’s transmission is doing any of these things, it’s experiencing difficulties and needs to be serviced.
Hot Odors
If your transmission fluid is low or dirty, your transmission will overheat. You will smell burning odors coming from underneath your car, truck, or utility vehicle. It’s important that you don’t drive your automobile if it smells hot. This can open you up to the danger of an engine fire.
Humming Noises
If you hear humming noises when you are in neutral or when your transmission is in gear, this, too, is a sign of transmission problems. You shouldn’t hear grinding or clunking, either. Your gear shifts should be silent with the exception of the change in engine RPMs when the car shifts into a different gear.
Shaking or Vibration
Your gear shifts should also be smooth. You shouldn’t feel your car shake or vibrate when the vehicle shifts gears. If it does, it’s possible the internal parts of the transmission are wearing down. You may also have little to no transmission fluid left in the transmission.
Fluid Leaks
If your transmission is leaking, this will naturally reduce the fluid level. Transmission fluid is red and see-through. It drips from underneath your vehicle toward the center. If you see red spots on your garage floor in this location, your transmission has sprung a leak from the pan, gasket, or another part.
Check Engine Light
Finally, the check engine light will come on if the transmission is experiencing problems because your dashboard does not have a transmission light. If you are experiencing any of the other signs listed above and your check engine light is on, this points to the transmission more than any other problem.
Call J&S Auto Repair in Warwick, RI, if you believe your car’s transmission is going bad. We can schedule an appointment for a transmission inspection. We will inspect the system thoroughly and let you know if it needs servicing or repair.
