Automotive And Repair

Cars today are designed with transmissions that are supposed to last throughout the life of the vehicle. Of course, that assumes you’re taking care of the assembly. If the fluid levels decline, or minor issues are left unresolved, your tranny can experience a host of problems. In most cases, those problems can worsen quickly and become soberingly expensive.

Below, we’ll take a brief tour through the most common issues you’re likely to experience with your car’s transmission. If you notice any of the problems below, take your vehicle immediately to a mechanic.

Shifting Troubles

Your tranny is comprised of many parts that work together seamlessly in order to ensure smooth shifting. Several factors can prevent that from happening. For example, some of the parts may become worn to the point of failing. Or, external components that influence the tranny’s performance may fail or lose their calibration. When these things happen, you’ll experience shifting problems. You might notice that one or more gears will engage, but fail to “stick.” Your transmission might have trouble hitting a gear. You might also feel a harsh lurch when it shifts.

Slippage

Slippage is generally defined as a sluggishness when finding gears. For example, suppose that your car is resting in “Park.” You put the selector into “Drive” and press down on the gas pedal. Instead of moving forward, your vehicle stays in place while the rpms rise. Your tranny has a slipping problem.

This can be caused by the same factors that lead to shifting issues: worn parts within the assembly, failing external components, or a loss of calibration. It can also be due to low fluid levels or lack of pressure.

Abnormal Noise

If your transmission’s internal parts are working properly, the assembly should not make abnormal noises. As long as your tranny has enough clean fluid lubricating the moving parts, it should be relatively silent. That said, you may hear a whining, buzzing, clicking, or clunking while shifting if any of the parts are failing or severely worn. If you hear these things, you need to have the assembly checked by a mechanic as soon as possible. These problems don’t always suggest a large repair bill, but can become expensive if you wait too long.

Fluid Leaks

In the same way your engine needs motor oil to operate effectively and avoid damage, so too, does your transmission need fluid. The fluid helps to keep temperatures below a certain level. If temperatures rise, your tranny may overheat – and that’s an expensive problem to fix.

Periodically look at the cement directly underneath the assembly. If you notice a leak (the fluid has a red tint), try to find the source. Then, immediately replenish the fluid and take your car to a repair garage.

Transmission problems are never pleasant because they’re often costly to fix. However, the more quickly you can have them repaired, the less damage they’ll cause. If you notice slippage or shifting trouble, abnormal noise, or fluid leaks, invest the time to have your mechanic take a look.