Your car, truck, or utility vehicle will shake when it shifts gears if the transmission is having problems. This can be an indication that the transmission fluid is too low or that there is another problem. It’s important to have your vehicle’s transmission inspected every 30,000 miles. This gives us here at Buellton Garage an opportunity to replace the fluid if necessary and replace any other faltering parts. Aside from shaking, here are other signs that your transmission needs service or repair.
Burning or Hot Odors
If you smell burning or hot odors coming out from underneath your automobile, it could be the transmission or the catalytic converter. The transmission will overheat if the transmission fluid is too low. This fluid works as a lubricant to protect transmission parts. If the parts are not being lubricated properly, they will generate excess friction and heat.
Gear Shifting Problems
You may also experience gear shifting problems that include your vehicle slipping out of gear or skipping gears in the gear cycle. Once you put your automatic transmission into Drive, it should shift through each gear at the right time. If it is not doing so, your transmission needs immediate service. Continuing to drive with the transmission in this condition will damage it further.
Lack of Response
Eventually, your transmission will get to a point where it doesn’t respond at all. You won’t be able to get your car, truck, or utility vehicle into gear and it will refuse to shift gears while you are driving. This is an indication of serious transmission trouble that requires immediate attention.
Leaking Red Fluid
If your automobile is leaking red fluid underneath the center of it, you have a transmission fluid leak. Transmission fluid can leak out of the pan or the pan gasket as well as the torque converter. It can also leak out of the seals and hoses. Low transmission fluid due to a leak can damage the transmission.
Strange Noises
Another sign your transmission is experiencing problems is strange noises. Specifically, you may hear humming while your vehicle is in neutral, grinding when it shifts the gears, squealing noises all the time, or clunking when you put the vehicle into gear. All of these things are signs of transmission trouble.
Check Engine Warning
Finally, you may end up with the check engine warning on the dashboard if the transmission is going bad. It’s important to have the source of the check engine light diagnosed right away to avoid damaging your automobile unnecessarily. This includes damaging the transmission.
Buellton Garage in Buellton, CA, would be happy to inspect your transmission and make any repairs if necessary. Call us today to schedule an appointment.
