Transmission Repairs…Is It Time?
A vehicle’s transmission can be a mysterious and confusing part of your engine. As much as we may not understand it, everyone should take it seriously. It’s always a smart idea to keep up on the general maintenance that a vehicle requires, such as checking the fluid levels. Refer to your owner’s manual for the factory recommended maintenance schedule.
Transmission repair can be very expensive and frustrating to deal with. If it comes to a point you need to get a new transmission, you should to make sure you are working with a mechanical technician that is trustworthy. When it comes time that this is a possibility, a mechanic will run a series of diagnostic tests on the engine, which will zero in to what is going on.
If you have been driving your vehicle for a long time there is a strong possibility you will have to get your transmission repaired at some point. There are several factors that make it evident you need to bring your car in to get checked depending on if it is a manual or automatic transmission.
Transmission Problems for an Automatic
With any vehicle, if you start noticing anything out of the ordinary, it is a good idea to bring it in and get it checked out. It is better to be safe than sorry, as they say.
As opposed to a manual, an indicator of transmission problems with an automatic transmission is when there is a lack of response when shifting gears. This can be seen when changing the vehicle into the Park or Drive selections-you will experience a hesitation when shifting into these gears.
Another indicator for an automatic is having to wiggle into gear instead of making a smooth change. Vehicles should always run smoothly without any hesitation or strange sounds. It is wise to know the smaller signs so you know when to give some serious attention to your vehicle to extend its life.
Related Article: Why Is My Automatic Transmission Not Shifting?
Transmission Problems for a Manual
Some other signs to look out for are the sounds your manual transmission vehicle is making. With a manual transmission, the sounds will be more rapid and sound more mechanical. If it makes a loud clunking sound then it is time to bring your car in because this can be very unsafe.
Many problems on a manual can come from how a person drives and shifts the car. If the engine revs up while shifting gears, then the car isn’t moving as fast as the engine is running. A clutch that is having problems can cause some serious safety concerns.
Another thing to watch out for is problems with staying in gear. This tells you it is time to check if it is damaged and needs repair. A transmission should always stay in gear until a shift is performed by the driver.
General Problems for all Transmissions
There are also some signs for any vehicle letting you know to get it checked out by a professional. These can hold consistent whether your car is an automatic or a manual stick shift. One of the biggest is the check engine light. When this light comes on, it’s a big warning sign that something could be wrong with the engine and, in many cases, with the transmission.
All transmission types will make noises out of the ordinary depending on the type. Another important item is the transmission fluid. It typically should be red in color. If this fluid is dark and cloudy, there is a problem. Also, if this fluid begins to leak and you can see it pooling under your car while it is in park, this is telling you something is going wrong. Get it to a transmission repair expert as soon as possible.
Last, pay attention to any burning smells happening. The transmission fluid could be overheating and bad. If your fluids are getting low or viscous, always make sure to fill them before this begins to happen or get a fluid change. There are also several other factors that can cause this.
Every vehicle should have a close eye kept on it. If you begin to notice the slightest thing that doesn’t seem right, bring it in or call an AAMCO Transmission Repair store for help and a proper vehicle diagnostic.
Transmission Repair You Can Trust
If you need a mechanic that you can rely on to identify any possible transmission repair needs, Schedule an Appointment before it is too late. Call any of our AAMCO Denver or AAMCO Colorado Springs locations for a FREE diagnostic test now.
Hello I went to the shop and was told my 1999 dodge grand caravan has an axle shaft leak. I think it would be smarter to get another transmission. My car does leak transmission fluid. I noticed that when I put my van in reverse it slowly moves forward before catching and going into reverse. I stopped driving it for a couple days.
Shmeka,
Thanks so much for writing to us….unfortunately, we can not diagnose your vehicle without seeing it in one of our service centers. If you are local to Colorado stop by one of 14 Colorado AAMCO Service centers and we can perform a free diagnostic check on your vehicle where we can access any repair needs your vehicle may have.
Thanks,
AAMCO Colorado