Aside from the engine, a vehicle’s transmission is one of the most crucial, and expensive, parts of your car. If it breaks down entirely, a full rebuild or replacement can be one of the most costly fixes during your vehicle’s lifetime. When you know what to look for, you’ll be able to catch any issues your transmission is having so you can bring it in for transmission repair instead of a complete overhaul.
1. Delayed Gear Shifts
If you’re shifting from park into drive or are beginning to accelerate after a full stop, your automatic transmission should change into the proper gear on its own. A transmission that is failing won’t engage immediately, or you might notice that the RPMs surge, but the engine doesn’t. A similar response can happen in a manual transmission, although that can often be remedied by replacing the clutch.
2. Leaking or Low Transmission Fluid Levels
Any leaks from your car are worth looking at, but transmission fluid will be easy to quickly identify. It is the only fluid in your car with a sweet smell that is red in color. If you see this type of liquid staining your driveway or garage floor, you have a transmission fluid leak. This leak will cause low fluid levels and may cause damage to the mechanical parts it has been leaking on under the hood.
3. Burning Smell (With or Without Smoke)
If your car is smoking under the hood, you will take notice and know something is wrong. The smell of something burning when you turn off your engine, even without smoke, is just as bad but it’s better to catch it at this stage before it escalates. If you want to save yourself the cost of needing to replace the transmission completely, have your vehicle serviced immediately if you begin to notice an odor similar to burnt rubber.
4. Unfamiliar Sounds
No one knows your vehicle the way you do, so if you begin to hear a sound that is unfamiliar, don’t ignore it. When a transmission is breaking down you may start to hear sounds as subtle as humming or whining, or there may be louder grinding or clunking noises. It could be a simple fix like flushing contaminated fluid or it might be something more serious like metal rubbing together creating debris.
5. Engine Service Lights
Check engine lights are not just for the engine. The engine is the beating heart of your car so it is connected to every other part, including your transmission, and can detect an issue that needs maintenance. When this light comes on, don’t delay in servicing your car.
Routine maintenance is the best way to catch any problems early and avoid more serious repairs. Call or stop by Direct Drive today to let us address any of your transmission or maintenance issues. We have experience in all makes and models on the road and can help answer any questions you may have about your vehicle.
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