Most vehicles are equipped with automatic transmissions these days because people prefer to drive them. These important vehicle systems need to be serviced every 30,000 miles to ensure they don’t go bad. Replacing a faulty transmission is an expense you do not want to think about. Getz Automotive is going to list the common signs that your transmission is going out below. Bring your vehicle to our shop at the first indication of trouble.
Gear Shifting Problems
If your transmission is going bad, it will have difficulties shifting gears. It may be unable to shift through the gear cycle completely or it may slip out of gear. When it slips out of gear, it goes into neutral and you lose significant power. Your RPMs also increase significantly.
Leaking Transmission Fluid
Another sign of transmission trouble is leaking transmission fluid. New transmission fluid is red; old transmission fluid is brown. If you see spots of either color underneath your automobile toward the center, you have a transmission leak that needs to be fixed right away.
Overheating Transmission
If you ignore the problem, your transmission will overheat because the transmission fluid level is too low. You will be able to smell burning odors coming from underneath your automobile where the transmission is located. An overheating transmission can get damaged easily.
Odd Transmission Noises
You may also hear strange sounds coming from the transmission during the gear shifting process. The transmission may make a clunking noise when you put it into gear, and it may grind or squeal as it shifts gears. This is a definite indication of transmission trouble.
Odd Vibrations/Shaking
Another definite indication is odd vibration or shaking as the transmission shifts through the gear cycle. You will notice a little give in your vehicle as the engine RPMs change, but that is all you should feel. You shouldn’t feel any noticeable movement.
Unresponsive Transmission
Once the transmission has reached a certain point, it will fail to respond until you have it repaired or replaced. This means that it will not go into gear when you put it into Drive or Reverse. It will also refuse to shift through the gear cycle.
Check Engine Warning
Finally, the transmission will trigger a check engine light warning on your dashboard if it is going bad. It’s important to pay attention to the check engine light because it indicates engine problems of which you might otherwise be unaware.
Call Getz Automotive in Fuquay-Varina, NC, today if your vehicle is experiencing any of the transmission problems listed above.