A transmission is crucial to a healthy car. In a nutshell, a transmission regulates where the power inside of a car goes to. It is like the brain, while the many gears and axles in a car are like the body. The transmission makes the ultimate decision of what gear to move. Depending on what type of terrain the car is traversing over and what speed the car is going, the transmission switches over to a more appropriate gear. Here are a few signs that your transmission might be in bad shape:
The smell of a burning transmission.
While a burning smell in a car could mean many things, it should always be addressed immediately. Sometimes, a burning smell indicates an issue with your transmission fluid. First, check to see if there is an unusually low amount of fluid. If there is, investigate further into the possibility of a leak. If levels are normal, there’s still a chance the fluid is too dirty to function properly. Take some out of your car and place it on a white surface or paper. If the fluid is clean, it should look light with a slight red tint. If the fluid is dirty, and in need of changing, it will look dark brown to black, and the consistency will be thick. Like oil, transmission fluid needs to be clean in order to provide proper lubrication for crucial parts.
Feeling lags, jerks, or spinning.
If you speed up your vehicle and your transmission seems to wait a minute before “catching up”, you could be dealing with a faltering transmission. This is most common when accelerating after stopping. Often, it will feel as if your car is “jerking forward” when shifting gears. Similarly, if the transmission spins without moving the vehicle forward, you have a problem on your hands.
The “check engine” light is on.
Modern electronic transmission systems are sophisticated enough to detect many minor to major problems present. This could mean anything from low transmission fluid to an off-set gear. If you see the sign, take your car to a mechanic just to be safe, and let them determine exactly what is wrong. The temptation to ignore the ever-underappreciated “check engine” light is strong, but you’re always better safe than sorry when it comes to your cars transmission.
If you’re in the Lancaster, California area, and feel that you might have a transmission problem with your vehicle, contact the team at AV Bumper to Bumper to take a look. The “brain” of your car deserves the highest level of attention, which our mechanics never fail to provide.
I noticed the other day that my car’s transition while shifting hasn’t been as smooth as I remember it being. The article says that this could be a result of a faltering transmission. Is this a problem that can be fixed? Or do I need to look at getting my transmission completely replaced?
It’s great to know these transmission tips. To be honest, I wasn’t even aware that my car had transmission fluid, so that is good to know. There is a burning smell whenever I go up large hills; is that something I should check out?
My girlfriend mentioned to me the other day that her car feels a little funny when it shifts gears. It’s good to know that this could be a sign that her transmission could be faltering. I’ll let her know that she ought to have it looked at as soon as possible so that the necessary repairs can be made before more damage is done.