Transmission trouble is nothing to ignore. You might think you can drive with a bad transmission for at least a little while, but that’s not as true as you would like it to be. Driving with a transmission that is failing can leave you stranded when you least expect it. Spotting trouble before your transmission completely gives out is crucial. Oxford Automotive lists symptoms of a failing transmission below.
You’ve Got Weird Smells and/or Leaks Under the Car
Problems with the transmission can include things like leaking transmission fluid, and that can create some rancid smells as the fluid drops onto other hot parts and burns off. You might also notice a red puddle underneath the center of your vehicle after it’s been sitting for a little bit. This typically means that you’ve got a leak somewhere. Transmission fluid is crucial for preventing damage to the moving transmission gears, so if you lose that fluid, you’ve got a problem.
You Feel the Transmission Slipping
All transmissions, whether they’re automatic or manual, can slip when they start to fail. What this means is that the clutch isn’t engaging properly or the gears are not shifting correctly and the car jerks or hesitates when gearing up or down. When the transmission first starts slipping, it will be subtle. The problem gets worse over time, which makes it more noticeable.
The Car Is Making Weird Sounds
You might hear some odd sounds as your car is trying to shift. If you’re in a manual vehicle, you’ll hear those sounds as you shift from one gear to another. With an automatic, you’ll hear them as you press on the gas and the car shifts those gears. Typically, the sounds you’ll hear might be grinding sounds or even whines or buzzing sounds. The louder the sound, the worse the problem is.
Your Dashboard Warning Light Is On
The easiest way to know you have something happening in your transmission is that your car’s dashboard will light up the gearbox or check engine warning light. You may not recognize the gearbox at first because it’s not a light that you’d expect to see often. Check your owner’s manual any time that a light that you’re unfamiliar with lights up on the dashboard.
If you’re concerned about the health of your car’s transmission, contact Oxford Automotive in Oxford, PA. We can check it out and let you know exactly what is going on.
