8 Signs It’s Time to Take Your Car to the Transmission Shop
For most of us, our vehicles are a source of pride and essential to our daily lives. But when things go wrong, it can be difficult to tell exactly what is happening and whether it’s an easy fix or requires a professional. One of the more complex problems that can arise is a transmission issue. As you know, the transmission system is an essential part of any vehicle, and when it starts to malfunction, it can be an expensive and inconvenient problem.
So, as with many things in your vehicle, the sooner you can catch small issues within this system, the better. Transmission issues can be costly to repair if not addressed in a timely manner, which is why it’s important to be aware of when it may be time to take your vehicle to a transmission shop.
Knowing the signs that indicate a problem with your transmission can save you time, money, and further stress in the long run. In this article, we provide a comprehensive overview of the different symptoms to look out for.
Indicators That There’s an Issue Within the Transmission System
1. Difficulty Shifting Gears
One of the first signs that it may be time to take your vehicle to a transmission shop is if you notice difficulty shifting gears. When operating optimally, the gear shifts of an automatic transmission vehicle should be almost unnoticeable as you’re driving. With a manual transmission, you should be able to shift through the gears with ease.
With shifting issues, you may notice that it takes longer than usual to shift between gears, or that you cannot shift into certain gears at all. This problem is most commonly found when trying to shift from park to drive.
Gear-shifting issues can be caused by a faulty shift solenoid, a bad transmission control module, worn-out gears, or a worn clutch. It’s important to take your vehicle to a transmission shop as soon as you notice any difficulty shifting, to prevent further damage from occurring, which could lead to more in-depth and costly transmission repairs.
2. Leaking Transmission Fluid
Other than water formed as condensation from the A/C system, fluid should not be leaking from the underside of your vehicle. If your vehicle is leaking transmission fluid, this will typically appear as a reddish-brown fluid that has a sweet, pungent smell. If you have not had a transmission flush done in a while, leaking fluid may also appear as a black or dark brown fluid with a burnt odor.
A transmission fluid leak can have several causes, including a damaged transmission seal or overly worn components. It’s important to take your vehicle in for a transmission inspection as soon as you notice any fluid leakage, as a low fluid level can cause significant further damage to the transmission if left unchecked.
3. Burning Smell
If you notice a burning smell coming from your engine, there’s definitely something wrong. This could be caused by low or burnt transmission fluid, a build-up of dirt and debris, or a mechanical issue inside the transmission such as worn gears or a faulty bearing. If you notice a burning smell coming from your engine, it’s important to take your vehicle to a transmission shop as soon as possible. Doing so will help avoid further system damage and the need for even more costly transmission repair.
4. Noisy Gears
If you notice that the gears in your vehicle are making strange noises, such as whirring, grinding, or whining, it’s time to take it to a transmission shop as soon as you can. There are several potential causes for strange noises coming from transmission gears. These include low transmission fluid levels, worn-out gears, a failing clutch, or a failing torque converter. Other possible causes may include a faulty transmission control module, worn-out shift forks, or a damaged transmission valve body.
5. Check Engine Light is Illuminated
A variety of things can cause your vehicle’s check engine light to come on, including a transmission problem. Common problems within this system that can cause the check engine light to come on include low and/or overly dirty transmission fluid, faulty solenoids, a faulty torque converter, a faulty transmission control module, a faulty shift cable, and slipping gears.
This is not a warning light that you should ignore. It’s important to take your vehicle to a transmission shop as soon as the check engine light comes on, as this could prevent further damage not only to your vehicle’s transmission but to other major systems as well.
6. Slipping Gears
A properly working transmission will shift between gears smoothly when needed, but the gears should not be moving so freely that they are slipping out of gear. If the transmission gears are slipping, a vehicle may feel like it’s losing power as you press the accelerator. You may also notice that the engine is revving higher than normal, but the car is not accelerating as it should. The transmission may also make a grinding or whining noise as the gears slip.
Slipping gears can be caused by a variety of transmission issues, such as low fluid levels or worn parts. If you notice that your vehicle’s gears are slipping, it’s important to take it in for a check-up as soon as possible to avoid further damage.
7. Shuddering
If your vehicle is shaking or vibrating (aka “shuddering”) while driving, there is likely a transmission system problem. Shuddering can be caused by a variety of issues, such as a malfunctioning torque converter, a worn-out clutch, a faulty transmission filter, low transmission fluid, or a faulty transmission control module.
8. You Can’t Remember the Last Time the Transmission Fluid Was Serviced
Like many of your vehicle’s fluids, the transmission fluid won’t last forever. It will naturally break down over time and lose its ability to adequately perform its job of keeping your transmission system running properly. It’s important to regularly service a vehicle’s transmission fluid because it helps to keep the transmission lubricated and cool, prevents wear and tear, and helps the transmission to shift smoothly.
A vehicle’s transmission fluid should be serviced between every 30,000 and 60,000 miles, depending on the specific vehicle and type of transmission. That can either mean a transmission fluid change, which replaces roughly 40% of the old fluid, or a full transmission flush, which replaces 100% of the old fluid.
So, if you know it’s been a while since your vehicle’s transmission fluid was serviced, or you can’t even remember when last time was, it’s time to visit your local transmission shop. If the fluid gets too dirty, it can cause transmission problems such as hard shifting, slipping, and even transmission failure. Regular servicing of the transmission fluid helps to avoid these costly problems.
Your mechanic can help you determine if it would be better for your transmission to carry out just a transmission fluid change or a full fluid flush by inspecting the current fluid levels and condition and giving you an informed recommendation.
The Importance of Using a Reputable, Professional Transmission Shop
The transmission system is a complex and expensive component of any vehicle. And it’s essential that it be properly maintained and repaired by a reputable and professional transmission shop. Doing so means that you can rest assured that your transmission is in good hands and will be working properly for many years to come, thus saving you money in the long run.
A reliable shop (like Tire Works Total Car Care) will have ASE-certified mechanics and state-of-the-art diagnostic equipment to accurately pinpoint the issue and ensure that any transmission repair and maintenance service is handled properly. They will be able to perform any necessary service quickly and efficiently so that you can get your vehicle back on the road as soon as possible.
You Can Count on Tire Works for Expert Transmission Service
If you’re experiencing any of the above warning signs of transmission issues and need a professional transmission shop in Las Vegas that you can trust, look no further than Tire Works Total Car Care.
Our highly skilled ASE-certified mechanics have the knowledge and expertise to provide the transmission maintenance and repair services your vehicle needs. Whether you need a transmission fluid change, a full transmission flush, a simple transmission repair, or a complex overhaul, our mechanics will provide the skilled service and attention to detail your vehicle deserves. We are dedicated to providing quality service and customer satisfaction, so you can have peace of mind knowing that your vehicle is in good hands.
And if you have any questions regarding your vehicle’s transmission system, our expert team is available to provide answers. Plus, as a true one-stop auto service shop, we’ve got you covered for any other auto maintenance or repair services that your vehicle may need.
Schedule your appointment online today for a transmission service!
