When it comes to your vehicle’s transmission, if you have ever had a problem with yours, you are likely aware of how stressful and expensive issues may be. A car’s transmission is one of the most critical components of the vehicle. Catching transmission problems early can be the difference between minor repairs and a completely rebuilt transmission. We are going to review some of the most common transmission problems, so you can pay attention to signs that yours may be heading for a road of trouble ahead.
Most Common Transmission Problems
Transmission repairs or replacements are inconvenient, stressful, and usually quite expensive, so it’s a good idea to pay attention to anything that seems unusual with your transmission and vehicle’s operation. If you want to keep your vehicle safely operating on the road and your transmission doing what it is supposed to do, you need to be aware of the most common transmission problems and watch for the signs.
Some of the most common transmission problems include:
- Shifting Issues: Vehicles should effortlessly shift from one gear to the next, almost without the driver noticing. A vehicle should shift gears quietly and unnoticeably. Any car or truck that produces a loud thud or any other noise, or jerks and shakes as it shifts, has a transmission that is struggling. If your car doesn’t switch gears as you go from drive to park or speed up, that is likely a sign of a failing transmission. If these parts or systems of your transmission, that control shifting, have a problem, you’ll find your car unable to shift correctly or at all.
- Leaking Fluid: One of the most common transmission problems is transmission leaks. A leak is probably the most recognizable symptom of an issue and should be repaired as soon as possible. Your transmission relies on transmission fluid to lubricate the moving parts inside your transmission. If it is leaking, it could create much larger issues for you and your vehicle. A leak is a sign that there is something wrong that needs to be addressed.
- Slipping Gears: Slipping gears refers to when your vehicle suddenly shifts when it shouldn’t and the engine seems like it is revving higher than it should. For instance, if you drive at a steady 25 miles per hour, the car should not change into the next gear, gears should lock in immediately. If you notice a delay when stepping on the gas, have high RPM, hear strange noises, or more, you likely have a transmission problem.
- Check Engine Light: Your check engine light is there to tell you if your vehicle has some type of issue, pay attention to it for indications of problems with your transmission. When you see a check engine light in your car, truck, or SUV, even though it’s called a check “engine” light, it doesn’t necessarily point directly to your engine. It could be your transmission or another part of your vehicle that is problematic.
- Humming Noise: If you hear new noises coming from your vehicle, and find yourself thinking, “That’s new. I haven’t heard that sound before”, the noise could be pointing to a problem with your transmission. When you hear a humming or whining sound coming from your vehicle that doesn’t sound normal, it could mean that your transmission is failing.
- Burning Smell: Your senses, especially your smell, can help you identify a problem that even your vehicle’s sensors and check engine light may not recognize. A smell can tell you a lot about your transmission, particularly if you sniff out a burning odor. A burnt smell coming from your transmission, usually indicates that the transmission fluid has broken down and the system is burning too hot leading to an increase in friction and corrosive activity in the engine.
- Vibrations or Shuddering: A clutch is a mechanical device that engages and disengages power transmission in your vehicle. If there is an issue with your vehicle’s clutch it can cause your car to feel like it is shaking, grinding, vibrating, or shuddering. When your vehicle is giving you new feels, there may be a problem with the transmission struggling to engage as it should, causing a rough ride.
While we have reviewed some of the most common transmission problems, if something doesn’t feel, smell, look, or sound right with your vehicle, you should take it to a Phoenix auto mechanic repair shop right away. Something that you may think is a small issue, can create much larger problems for you and your ability to get down the road safely.
Advanced Transmissions & Emissions specializes in transmission repair, rebuilding, and remanufacturing, and all of your other automotive repair needs from clutches, air conditioning, steering, suspension, and more. We are a full-service auto mechanic repair shop.
Our Phoenix, AZ customers know us for our work with transmissions, but we can resolve any mechanical issues, including problems with clutches and other vehicle failures. Contact us today.
