Transmission trouble can be real trouble for your automobile. Righter’s Auto Repair advises that it’s crucial to have the transmission inspected at the first signs of problems to avoid expensive damage. The sooner we fix your transmission problem, the fewer chances you have of needing additional transmission repairs. Here are common signs that your car, truck, or utility vehicle’s transmission is failing.
Check Engine Warning
You don’t have a transmission light on the dashboard so the engine control module will turn on the check engine light if your transmission is having problems. It’s important to heed this warning even if it isn’t being caused by transmission trouble.
Grinding Gears
Your transmission should not grind as it changes gears. If it does, you may have low transmission fluid or your gears may be wearing down. If you drive a manual transmission, your clutch could be causing the problem if it needs to be adjusted or replaced.
Hot, Burning Odors
Hot odors indicate that your transmission is overheating. This problem can be caused by low transmission fluid, a transmission fluid leak, or wear and tear internally. Don’t continue to drive your automobile if your transmission is overheating.
Neutral Sounds
You should never hear anything other than your engine idling when your vehicle is in neutral. A common sign that you have a transmission problem is you will hear humming in neutral. You may also hear humming or clunking when your vehicle is idling.
Refusal to Go Into Gear
Your transmission should always go into gear when you put it in gear. If it doesn’t, have your automobile towed to our auto service shop. Trying to force the vehicle into gear can cause transmission damage. It shouldn’t fight you, clunk, or shake when you put it into gear.
Slipping Gears
Another sign of transmission problems is the transmission slipping out of gear. You’ll be driving along and all of a sudden you will lose power and your engine will rev. This means that your transmission has slipped out of gear and gone into neutral.
Transmission Oil Leaks
Transmission oil or fluid is red and it can leak out of the transmission pan, the transmission pan gasket, any seals within the transmission, or the transmission hoses. The fluid will leak toward the center of your automobile rather than in front of the engine.
Won’t Switch Gears
Finally, if your transmission refuses to shift between the gears in the gear cycle, you have a serious transmission problem. It’s important to have this checked right away before you cause additional damage by trying to force your transmission through the gear cycle.
Righter’s Auto Repair in Grand Ledge MI, can help. Call us today to schedule an appointment for a transmission inspection and service.
