It doesn’t matter whether you drive a vehicle with an automatic transmission or a manual transmission, it’s crucial to have the transmission inspected at the first sign of trouble. Scotty’s Automotive warns that the longer you wait for transmission repair the more damage you cause in the transmission, and this will increase your repair bill exponentially. Here are ten signs you’ve got transmission trouble.
1. Burning Odor
Burning odors coming from underneath your automobile suggest that the transmission is overheating. It could be that you have low or dirty transmission oil and this is why the system is too hot. Take any burning odors seriously. Pull over and call for roadside assistance.
2. Gear Change Refusal
Your transmission shouldn’t refuse to change gears, whether automatically or when you shift them yourself. If your car, truck, or utility vehicle refuses to shift gears, you’ve got a serious problem brewing in the transmission that needs attention right away.
3. Neutral Sounds
If you hear humming or whining while your transmission is in neutral, you’ve got a transmission problem. Usually, this is a sign that you need a transmission fluid flush and refill, but it can also be a sign that the internal transmission mechanisms are wearing down.
4. Gear Slippage
Another sign of transmission problems is slipping gears. Once your automobile is in gear, it shouldn’t slip out of that gear before it shifts to the next gear. You will know that your transmission has slipped out of gear if you suddenly lose power and your engine starts to rev.
5. Clutch Drag
If you drive a manual transmission, you might notice your clutch starting to drag if you have transmission problems. A dragging clutch means that the clutch fails to disengage once you release it. This is a sign that you have a problem with your clutch disk or flywheel.
6. Fluid Leaks
Transmission fluid can leak out of the transmission pan, the pan gasket, the seals, the hoses, or even the torque converter. Transmission fluid is red, see-through, and slick to the touch. It will leak from underneath your automobile more toward the center than the front.
7. Grinding and Shaking
Both an automatic or manual transmission can start to grind as they go into gear. You will also feel your vehicle shake or jolt as the transmission tries to get into the next gear. Your gear shifts should be smooth and you shouldn’t hear grinding or squealing at each gear shift.
8. Other Noise
You also shouldn’t hear clunking or whining noises as the vehicle goes into gear or shifts gears. These are also signs of low transmission fluid, problems with the clutch in a manual transmission, or issues with the gears themselves, including age-related wear and tear.
9. Refusal to Go Into Gear
Whether from Park to Drive in an automatic or Neutral to First in a manual transmission, if your vehicle refuses to go into gear at all, you’ve got a transmission problem. This is a sign of serious internal damage that is preventing your transmission from going into gear.
10. Check Engine Warning
Finally, the transmission system does not have any way to warn you that there is something wrong so your vehicle’s engine control module will turn on the Check Engine light if the transmission sensors report trouble. Take this warning seriously, even if there are no other signs of an issue.
Scotty’s Automotive in Montague, NJ, is the only shop you need for your transmission service and repair. Schedule an appointment with us today.
