Common Problems And Their Signs With A Car’s Transmission

Don't Ignore These Issues With Your Transmission

The most obvious sign that something is wrong with your transmission is that there's a check engine light on. Still, transmission issues can go undetected or even ignored by the average driver. Transmission issues can be more expensive to repair than engine issues, so you should always pay attention to them. 

If you've ever noticed one of these issues in your car, bring it in immediately. A technician can help identify if it's directly coming from your transmission and then be able to advise further on if something needs to be fixed or even replaced. 

Strange Smells, Like Burning

If you notice any strange smells in your car, you'll probably assume it's food from last week's drive-thru run stuck under the seat. If you smell something burning in your car, that's a bigger sign of something wrong. Don't ignore the smell of something burning when you're driving. It could be that fluid or oil is coming into contact with a heated element or component of your car. It could also be that your transmission fluid has gone bad and needs to be replaced before it causes more problems for you down the road. So, if you smell something burning in your car, bring it into the shop immediately to have it looked at. 

Strange Sounds While In Neutral

It's not often one puts their car in neutral, but if you hear some strange noises when you get from driving to neutral, that's a sign that something is wrong. 

Any noises that aren't normal can indicate something is wrong. Sometimes, the noises that your car makes when it's in neutral could mean that the transmission fluid needs to be changed. Sometimes, it could indicate transmission failure that you do not want to catch while you're on the road. A technician will be able to inspect the transmission, identify the issue more thoroughly, and advise what can be done to fix it. 

Leaking Transmission Fluid

Leaking transmission fluid is a bad sign, but it's almost always the most obvious. If you find a puddle of dark red or dirty red fluid under your car in the parking lot, driveway, or garage, that's a problem. Transmission fluid levels should be consistent and shouldn't leak at all. Low transmission fluid can lead to a complete transmission breakdown caused by the transmission's friction. Fortunately, a transmission leak can often be an easy, low-cost fix that's as easy as replacing a gasket or a hose.