It’s always better to take care of car problems before they become major repairs. This is especially true when it comes to your vehicle’s transmission. Repairs on transmissions can be quite expensive, so it’s prudent to pay attention to anything that seems unusual and have it taken care of right away. Here are 6 symptoms that you may have a transmission repair problem:
- A Burning Smell or Dark-Colored Fluid – It’s important to periodically check the smell, color and condition of the transmission fluid. The fluid is design to lubricate the parts in your transmission and it also has the job of making sure the transmission doesn’t overheat. The transmission fluid should not smell like it’s been burnt nor should it be black in color. Fluid that is burnt doesn’t lubricate properly and will cause premature transmission failure. It’s best to have the fluid and filter changed every 30,000 miles. If you’ve neglected to do so and your vehicle is approaching 100,000 miles, check with us before you have the fluid and filter replaced.
- Makes a Noise When in Neutral – You may not think a transmission could make a noise when in neutral, but if there’s a problem with the transmission oil pump, it could make noise in every gear, including neutral. The same could happen if the transmission filter is clogged. Have your transmission checked if you notice a noise when your vehicle is in neutral.
- Gears that Slip – If you vehicle has a high RPM (over 3,500), has a delay when accelerating, won’t go into reverse, or has difficulty shifting into gears you are experiencing a transmission that is slipping. A slipping transmission doesn’t necessarily mean your transmission is bad, but it should be looked at right away. A transmission that slips could result from something as simple as a low fluid level to a more complicated issues like problems with a solonoid or torque converter. In a normally functioning transmission, the car stays in the gear you designate, or that the computer designates for a given RPM range, until you or the computer initiate a gear shift.
- A Red-Colored Fluid Leak Under Your Vehicle – The easiest say to diagnose a problem with your transmission is when you find a leak of a bright red fluid on the ground directly under the back of the engine in your car. Schedule an appointment to have us locate and fix the leak.
- Sounds – Grinding, shaking, clunking, and humming from your vehicle’s transmission are all signs your transmission needs some attention.
- Hesitating – A transmission is designed to smoothly transition into each gear so when it hesitates or won’t shift into the next gear, there’s something wrong.
It’s always best to maintain your vehicle’s transmission on a regular basis. The ASE-certified technicians at Country Road Automotive, in Lincoln Park, NJ, will be happy to talk to you about the proper transmission maintenance schedule for your particular vehicle. We can also perform the periodic maintenance as well as handle any transmission repair issues. If you suspect you have a transmission repair problem, click here to schedule an appointment for transmission maintenance or repair today.