If your vehicle is experiencing transmission problems, it could be a simple fix or require a costly repair. One thing you can count on, though, there will be symptoms that warn you something is amiss with your transmission. The more quickly you recognize that there is a problem with your transmission, the faster you can take your vehicle to a professional to assess the situation. Knowing which warning signs to watch for can save you stress and money.
1. Unusual Smells
If you catch a whiff of something odd, and you didn’t leave your lunch in the backseat for a few weeks, take a closer sniff. A burning smell coming from the engine is a sure sign that something is malfunctioning. If your transmission fluid is low or too old, it overheats and eventually begins to burn. This burning fluid causes your engine to overheat, which causes many other problems, such as premature wear and corrosion.
2. Odd Sounds
Beware of a clunking, humming, or whirring, as all three are signs of a problem with an automatic transmission. In addition, manual transmissions that are beginning to have issues will often emit raucous machinelike sounds that are impossible to ignore. Lastly, if a clunking sound occurs while you switch gears, hurry to an automotive professional since that is a telltale transmission warning sign.
3. Check Engine Light
Check engine lights should not be ignored, even if it’s tempting. Instead, take your car to a dealership and have them run a quick diagnostic scan to make sure the problem isn’t with your transmission. While the check engine light may be caused by something inconsequential, it is always better to play it safe.
4. No Response When Trying to Shift Gears
A properly working transmission will easily slip into the proper gear. However, if your vehicle is providing no response or hesitating before shifting, something is going on. A mechanic can diagnose the problem and address it before the situation worsens and repairs become more costly.
5. Fluid Leak
There are numerous fluids in your engine, and knowing which one is currently leaking is essential to diagnosing the issue. Automatic transmission fuel leaks are relatively easy to recognize. Transmission fuel has a sickly sweet smell and is usually red in color. However, transmission fuel that is long past its prime may be a darker shade of red and smell slightly burnt.
6. Clutch Drag
This symptom will only occur in vehicles with a manual transmission. When there is extra slack in the clutch pedal, it is difficult for the clutch disc to disengage. As a result, the clutch remains spinning and cannot transfer power to the drivetrain, making it impossible to shift gears. There will often be a grinding sound that accompanies the dragging clutch.
7. Shaking
A healthy transmission shifts smoothly, and often you won’t even notice the change of gear. However, if your car shakes during gear shifts, something is wrong with your transmission.
It can be tempting to downplay some of these symptoms or sweep them under the rug. Resist this urge, as ignoring these symptoms will only contribute to the problem becoming more expensive to fix and potentially even dangerous. Instead, bring your car to Orr Chevrolet of Fort Smith if you experience these or any other concerning symptoms, and let us get you safely back on the road.
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