Your transmission is responsible for directing the right amount of power to your wheels at different speeds. Like every other part of your car, your transmission can develop wear and tear over time. A bad transmission can affect your car’s handling and can cause slippage and vibrations to occur. When your car transmission dies, the gear shift stops working as well. Unaddressed transmission problems can snowball into major problems and can cause serious damage to other components of your car. Here are some signs it is time to bring your car in for a transmission repair.
Burning Smell
A burning smell coming from your car could mean that the transmission fluid is burnt and should be replaced as soon as possible. A burning smell could also indicate that your transmission is overheating. Whatever the reason, have a mechanic inspect your transmission.
Difficulty Shifting Gears
If you struggle to put your car into gear, you may have low transmission fluid, or you are using the wrong type of transmission fluid. Another possibility is that dirt, dust, and debris have accumulated in your transmission fluid affecting its properties.
Leaking Fluid
Leaking transmission fluid is one of the most common signs of transmission trouble. Some common causes of transmission leaks include a cracked pan gasket, broken seal, and damaged transmission lines. A transmission leak could also indicate a problem with your car’s torque converter.
Transmission leaks can lead to engine failure. Before things get out of hand. schedule a professional transmission tune up near you
Weird Noises When Your Car Is In Neutral
If you hear unusual noises coming from your vehicle when it is neutral, your transmission fluid may need to be replaced. Lots of noises coming from your car when in neutral could indicate a more serious underlying issue such as a worn reverse idler gear or worn bearings.
Check Engine Lights Come on
Cars manufactured these days have sensors that pick up unusual vibrations and problems that drivers often fail to notice. If you want to know the exact reason for engine lights coming on, plug a diagnostic scan tool into your OBD2 port-usually located under the dashboard on the driver’s side. The connector is usually located under the instrument panel. Once the tool scans your vehicle, you will see a code corresponding to the part that needs to be repaired.
Grinding or Shaking Gears
Grinding or shaking gears could mean that the synchro or synchronizers of your transmission’s gear are worn out or damaged. This could also indicate a worn clutch. Some other common reasons why gears grind include torque convertor problems, gear system damage and low transmission fluid. Whatever the nature of grinding, it is important that you identify the root cause of the problem and address it as soon as possible.
GreenTech Automotive is a leading auto repair shop in Santa Rosa. Our pros have years of experience maintaining and repairing transmissions on all different types of vehicles. To schedule a tune up, call (707) 545-7076.