A failing transmission means that you’re not going to be able to go much of anywhere at all. The transmission takes the power that your car’s engine creates via combustion and sends it to the wheels. MotivWerks has these tips for spotting trouble with your transmission before it’s too late.
There’s a Lot of Noise Coming from the Back of the Car
Your car’s transmission is in the rear of the car, so if you’re hearing some grinding noises behind you that’s the transmission. You could also be hearing a whining sound or clunking noises. All of these are an indication that the transmission is struggling quite a bit. If you continue to drive, those noises are only likely to get worse instead of better.
You Can Tell that the Transmission Isn’t Changing Gears Smoothly
When your transmission is shifting properly, you won’t feel much of anything other than acceleration as you press the gas. But when your transmission is failing, you may feel the transmission failing to go into gear or even feel it hesitate and then jolt you forward. All of this means that the power the engine is creating isn’t able to make it through the transmission to where it needs to go, which is the wheels.
You’ve Got a Transmission Fluid Leak
You shouldn’t see transmission fluid if things are going well. Transmission fluid is a red or reddish-brown oily liquid that is usually either transparent or slightly opaque. Most transmission fluid leaks are going to be toward the back of the car, underneath the rear axle. Even a few drops is a reason for concern, so don’t ignore any transmission fluid you find under your car.
You’re Seeing the Check Engine Light
If you’re seeing the check engine light, especially in conjunction with any of these other signs, the problem is likely your transmission. The check engine light is a “catch all” light in many cars, mainly because there isn’t a lot of space on the dashboard for every light that might be necessary. Whenever you do happen to have the check engine light come on, you need to pay attention to it right away because whatever is wrong will eventually affect the car’s engine.
If you suspect that something is wrong with your transmission, give us a call at MotivWerks in Chambersburg, PA. We can diagnose the issue for you quickly and let you know what needs to happen in order to get the problem repaired.