Take any sign of transmission trouble seriously because the more you drive your automobile with a failing transmission the more damage you will do. Uptown Imports advises that if you notice any of the following symptoms of a bad transmission below, you should have your vehicle’s transmission inspected as soon as possible. Prevention is the best medicine in this case.
1. Refuses to Change Gears
If your transmission is not shifting through the gear cycle, you have a problem in the transmission. The problem could be caused by the incorrect transmission fluid in the transmission or low fluid levels.
2. Overheating Smells
If you can smell burning odors but can’t quite figure out where they are coming from, they could be coming from the transmission. The transmission can overheat, especially if the fluid is too old and burns.
3. Humming in Neutral
You should not hear humming or whining noises when your vehicle is in neutral. If you do, your transmission is experiencing problems. The gears wearing down often cause this sound.
4. Slipping Out of Gear
Not only should your transmission shift through the gear cycle but it should also stay in gear once it’s in gear. If it slips out of gear, your gears are wearing down or you’ve got another problem in the system.
5. Fluid Leaks
Transmission fluid is red and it leaks underneath your car, truck, or C/SUV toward the center. As the fluid ages, it will turn light brown to dark brown. Leaks commonly come from the pan or pan gasket.
6. Grinding/Shaking
When you or your transmission shift gears, the process should be silent and smooth. Grinding into gear or shaking when your vehicle shifts gears is also a sign that your transmission is going bad.
7. Clunking Sounds
Aside from the grinding, humming, and whining discussed above, you also shouldn’t hear clunking sounds when you put your transmission into gear or between gears. Clunking is a bad sign.
8. Non-Responsive
A transmission that is non-responsive is one that will not go into gear. No matter how hard you try to get the transmission into reverse or drive from park or neutral, it won’t switch gears at all.
9. Clutch Drag
For those who drive manual transmissions, clutch drag means your clutch won’t disengage when you release it. This is usually caused by a problem between the flywheel and the clutch disk.
10. Check Engine Warning
Finally, the transmission uses the check engine warning light to alert you of problems. If this turns on and you experience any of the other issues listed above, you can bet you’ve got a transmission issue.
Uptown Imports in Minneapolis, MN, are import specialists that can find your transmission trouble and fix it. Call us today to schedule an appointment.