Transmission problems ruin your experience of driving. They are one of the most irritating car issues to deal with. Your car won’t work for long if it has transmission problems. Even worse, your engine can misfire and fail. Which makes it never work again.
It’s a waste of time to keep trying to save your transmission from slipping. Every time you drive, your car keeps slouching and it gets harder to accelerate. Your car won’t magically start driving smoothly on its own.
There are steps you can take to identify the symptoms of your transmission problems. Better yet, avoid them before they occur. These help you get rid of car instability – and increase its gas mileage and speed.
The symptoms of transmission problems may slightly differ from one car to another – but the core issues remain the same. Knowing the symptoms will help you comprehend the problem and diagnose it.
Analyzing your transmission at the right time will save you from major expenses, and even help your car work for a longer time. So, what are the symptoms of transmission problems you may face? And what are the steps to dealing with a faulty transmission?
Read on to learn about it now.
What are the TOP 5 symptoms of transmission problems?
-
Powerless & Unresponsive Car
You’re driving and suddenly, your car starts losing its power and stalls. Well, this isn’t normal. It’s a transmission problem. The pickup of your car is very low and lags a lot. This happens because your transmission is not transferring the needed amount of power to your engine properly. As a result, your transmission slips and you’ll see an RPM upsurge.
Driving your car in these conditions is dangerous. But if you happen to drive, you’ll notice that your speedometer doesn’t go up – and your car drags excessively while driving. Moreover, you’ll notice a problem with your check engine light, and the horsepower is significantly lower. This also happens when the transmission fluid needs to be changed. Failure to do this can damage your engine and cause repairs.
-
Gears Don’t Shift Smoothly
Your car gears have problems shifting smoothly and they roughly grind against each other. This may be because there’s less or bad transmission fluid in them. It needs to change soon. Another problem you can experience is the excessive shaking of your car. Your car vibrates every time you drive and the check engine light may come on too.
In manual transmissions, there may be an issue with the clutches. On the other hand, automatic ones check their valves and gears. It will help you identify the problem. Moreover, you can check your engine’s pistons to see if it’s working properly. If it doesn’t, it may be time to change or replace your transmission. If your transmission is too damaged or old, you’ll need to get a new one. You can make a safe financial choice by checking out some used transmissions and engines. They are a great deal for your car and are inexpensive compared to new engines.
-
Slow Driving
Your engine works because the transmission is connecting it to your car wheels. When there’s a problem with the transmission itself, your car will drive slowly or not at all. The ideal engagement your car should have is around 1001 and be ready to drive smoothly. When this doesn’t happen, your gears are slipping. Your car becomes slow and stays neutral most of the time. In this case, it’s important to get a car diagnosis, because this can point to dire problems within your car’s transmission system. Believe it or not, rash driving can also default your car’s transmission. Because of the excessive usage and roughhousing of your car’s parts, your car starts having problems.
If this isn’t fixed at the right time, it can lead to severe damage and, car repairs. It is advised to not drive with a faulty or failing transmission. As it can stall and damage your car further.
-
Leaking Oils & Fluids
The most obvious symptom of a transmission issue is leakage. You might notice a red liquid underneath your car with a distinct smell. This is none other than a common sign to replace transmission fluid quickly. Use tools such as a dipstick to see if the transmission fluid amount is adequate in your car. A less amount of fluid will make your car leak.
In cars, the transmission fluid upon being low leaks. It isn’t the same as the engine, where the leftover fuel can evaporate naturally or when you wait for your car to heat up a bit. It’s important to note that if there’s an oil leak from your engine, it causes transmission issues as well. That’s why it becomes increasingly important to fix them at the right time. Simply re-filling the transmission fluid isn’t enough. You’ll need to go for a rubber re-seal. This will help you protect your engine and transmission from leakage. The re-seal usually lasts for about 100,000 miles or more depending on its quality.
-
Smells and Noises
Transmission failure gives your car clunking or grinding sounds. This is caused every time your try to shift your gears or hit the brake pedal. There will be odd smells and noises when driving. All of this points to problems with your transmission. Because of this, leaving fluid or oil replacements for a long time becomes problematic.
A burning smell coming from the transmission means that it’s running hot. This tells you that your transmission fluid is low or dirty. Blown-out transmissions emit more smells and noises than new ones. It’s important to check your gears and, transmission fluid quantity to keep car issues at bay. This will help to reduce the friction between your gears. You can also use Lucas Anti-Squawk to give more lubrication to your car transmission.
How to deal with a faulty transmission?
If you’re experiencing any of the transmission problems mentioned above, here are some solutions:
- Flush Your Transmission: This cleans all the dirt and debris from your transmission. This means you’ll have to drain and fill your transmission fluid again. Make your car work optimally by picking the right kind of fluid for your transmission and engine.
- Transmission Filter Replacement: When you use your transmission filter for too long, it collects dirt and unwanted pollutants in it. It’s important to clean it often. And, if the filter is too old or choked, it’s better to replace it than waste time on repairs.
- Maintain Transmission Fluid Level: Top up your fluid level if it’s not at the right amount. Never leave your transmission unfilled for too long and try to keep it at optimal levels. This will help your transmission work smoother and faster.
- Check Linkages: If you notice that your linkages are a bit loose or too old to function properly, they make the transmission slip and shifting gears difficult. So, check their rubber seals and if they are in bad condition, it’s important to fix them.
In some situations, transmission problems tend to be more serious. You may need to take your vehicle to a qualified mechanic if these issues continue. It’s important to note that ignoring your transmission problems makes them worse with time. So, it’s best to repair them soon.
Conclusion
Transmission problems cause a lot of serious issues and problems with your vehicle. Those include noises and vibrations – to slipping gears and leaking fluid. Taking the time to sort out your transmission problems at the right time – saves you from major repairs that are way too expensive and unnecessary.
With regular maintenance and inspections, you’ll have your hands on a reliable vehicle. It helps your vehicle when you are active with its repairs and, don’t let them linger for too long. If problems persist, a qualified mechanic can help you. If you’re looking for an upgrade or replacement to your transmission system, it’s important to find an option that meets your budget. Used transmissions are a great choice.