Warning Signs That You Have A Transmission Problem
You likely don't think much about your car's transmission. It just keeps on working with very little maintenance required. But when it begins to act up, you may find yourself stuck on the side of the road in a car that won't move. Here are some of the warning signs that it's time to get your car to a transmission repair company for service before you find yourself stuck with a non-working car.
1. The car hesitates when shifting between gears.
Your car should shift smoothly from gear to gear. If you hear or feel the car delay when shifting gears, there could be a transmission problem. It may be as simple as the transmission fluid being low or as complicated as a failure of the computer to manage the shifting pattern. Get your car into a repair shop soon in case it's a simple problem that may get worse if you ignore the warning.
2. The transmission produces a metallic sound when shifting gears.
The gears are moving at a high rate of speed when the car shifts. Devices are used in the transmission to synchronize the moving gears as they shift. If you hear a metallic "clunk" as the transmission shifts gears, there could be a problem with one of these devices. Your transmission fluid could also be low or dirty. Take your car in as soon as you can to get this problem looked at.
3. The transmission slips out of gear.
Another shifting problem occurs when you're on the road and you feel the car slip in and out of different gears even though you're driving on a level surface at a constant speed. This problem normally gets worse, so get your car in for service as soon as possible.
4. The transmission makes noise while the car is in "Park" or "Neutral".
When your shifter is in these positions, your transmission should be disengaged. If you hear rattling from the transmission, there may be broken or loose parts inside. Since the components in the transmission move at a high speed when engaged, loose items in the transmission casing can easily break or jam other components. This is a warning to get your car in for service quickly and before you drive it much more.
5. Transmission fluid leak.
A small puddle of reddish-brown liquid under your parked car is a sign of leaking transmission fluid. This can come from a leaking gasket or a crack in the transmission casing. When enough fluid has leaked out of the transmission, it will begin to fail and may become damaged. Have any leaks looked at and repaired quickly before you have more severe transmission issues.
If you find one of these issues, go to an auto repair shop like Integrity Transmission & Auto Service Center to have them take a look.