Your transmission is one of the most critical (and expensive) parts of your car. The transmission is what allows the engine to power your wheels – it’s literally what keeps you driving!
So when you start to experience transmission problems, it can be pretty scary. Repairing a transmission can be expensive, so a lot of people just keep on driving, and ignore signs of damage.
However, this is a HUGE mistake. Transmission problems don’t just go away on their own, and if they’re ignored for too long, your car may require a total transmission replacement – which is much more expensive than simple transmission repairs.
So how can you make sure you keep your transmission in good shape? By recognizing these 5 common transmission problems – and taking the appropriate steps to fix them!
1. Transmission Slipping
Transmission slipping is quite common, and can be caused by a variety of transmission issues such as low fluid levels, fluid leaks, worn out gears, or solenoid problems.
Luckily, it’s pretty easy to identify transmission slipping, especially in an automatic car. Your engine will suddenly change in pitch – it may go from a low rumble to a high-pitched whine, and your RPMs will increase dramatically, even though you’re going the same speed. This happens if your transmission slips and downshifts at a high speed.
Conversely, you may find that your car is performing sluggishly and feels underpowered – this can happen when the transmission upshifts at a low speed. You’ll notice poor acceleration, and engine noise that’s more lower-pitched than usual.
Transmission slipping can be dangerous, and can easily lead to accidents, or further damage to your transmission. Get your car check out by a mechanic right away if you’re experiencing this issue.
2. Rough Shifts
When your car shifts into another gear, it should be relatively smooth and easy – there should be no “clunking” or “thudding” noises when your transmission shifts.
If you do start to hear these noises when shifting gears, they are certainly a cause for concern. Low transmission fluid and worn-out gears can be the culprit – and computerized sensors and solenoids can cause clunking if they send the wrong information to your car’s gearbox.
It’s usually impossible to determine the cause of rough shifting until you take your car in to be repaired, so get your vehicle serviced as soon as you notice these issues.
3. Response Delay When Shifting Gears
Have you noticed your car “hesitating”, or delaying when you attempt to shift it into gear? Maybe you’re leaving a parking lot, and it takes a few seconds for the transmission to switch from “reverse” to “drive”. You may be pressing the gas, but the transmission is not engaged – so power isn’t going to the wheels for several seconds.
This is usually a sign of a clutch issue. In both manual and automatic cars, the clutch is what controls the shifting of gears. A faulty clutch can lead to poor transmission performance, and if left untreated, it can result in damage to your transmission, or your vehicle’s flywheel – both of which are expensive to repair.
If you notice a dramatic delay when shifting between gears, get your car inspected right away.
4. Fluid Leaks
Fluid leaks can be a sign of transmission damage, and usually correspond with issues like transmission slippage and poor overall transmission performance.
Check under your car to see if there is any buildup of fluid underneath it. If the fluid you see is bright red, clear, and somewhat sweet-smelling, that’s transmission fluid – and you’ve sprung a leak.
Fluid leaks are usually not a big deal if they’re caught quickly – they can usually be easily repaired by a mechanic, and after you top-up your transmission fluid levels, your car should be good to go!
However, ignoring these fluid leaks can lead to serious transmission damage – so get your vehicle serviced as soon as you notice any kind of fluids leaking from the chassis.
5. The “Check Engine” Light Is On
Despite what you may think, the “check engine” light isn’t there to scare you into visiting a mechanic. This light can be illuminated for dozens of reasons – from faulty spark plugs, to worn-out air filters, and everything in between.
If your check engine light is illuminated and you’re experiencing any of the above signs or symptoms of transmission issues, it should NOT be ignored. Head to a qualified repair shop immediately, and get the error code diagnosed to figure out what the problem is.
If you want to avoid a trip to the auto shop, you can buy a code reader or scan tool to diagnose the problem yourself. However, unless you’re a mechanic, you’ll probably need professional help to fix your car, so we recommend heading to your favorite local repair shop.
Got Transmission Problems In Winnipeg? Ride Time Can Fix You Up!
Don’t ignore transmission problems in your car – if you do, you can end up with a seriously hefty repair bill. Next time you feel like your transmission may be acting up, bring your car to Ride Time.
Our professional mechanics will diagnose your vehicle, and provide you with all of the information you need to get your vehicle repaired, and get it back on the road as soon as possible!
So don’t risk blowing out your transmission in the middle of rush hour traffic on the Winnipeg PTH 100 – get your vehicle serviced with Ride Time, and enjoy peace of mind, knowing that your transmission is in great shape!
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