Your car’s transmission is one of its most essential and complex components. Although transmissions can last up to 300,000 miles with proper care, breakdowns can occur in the absence of maintenance and due to wear and tear. Multiple issues can send you seeking repairs from professional technicians. If you notice signs of problems, you need to leave your car in the hands of professionals who can offer diagnostics and repair services to get your vehicle back on the road safely again.
Transmission Fluid Leaks
Your transmission needs the correct fluid level and thickness to ensure complete protection from wear and tear and overheating. Transmission fluid is reddish or brownish. If you see puddles of these colors under your vehicle, this is a telltale sign of problems. A transmission shop can help determine what is causing the leak, offer repairs, and refill the fluid for safe driving. If you leave this issue unaddressed, your transmission can suffer catastrophic damage.
Worn-Out Bands or Clutches
Automatic transmissions use a series of bands and clutches to engage the gears. These components can wear out and fail over time. Cars driven in heavy traffic or under strain are likelier to experience worn-out bands or clutches. This wear and tear can cause delays or slipping in gear shifting. In its severest form, your car may not shift at all. You may also notice shaking and grinding.
Overheating Transmission
Transmissions should not overheat with correct fluid levels and no wear and tear. Excessive heat is one of the primary causes of transmission damage. You may experience warning signs like burning smells, hesitation, sluggish shifting, or an illuminated check engine light. Never ignore these signs because continued driving could lead to the need for a complete transmission replacement.
Check Engine Light
Your car’s onboard diagnostic computer recognizes performance problems well before you notice outward signs. The check engine light can come on for many reasons, including transmission problems. Do not ignore an illuminated light.
Failing Torque Converter
The torque converter is a critical component of your transmission system. It transfers power from the engine to the transmission. If it fails, severe transmission issues result. You may notice slipping gears, whining sounds, grinding, shaking, or delayed engagement. Driving with a damaged torque convertor can significantly damage your transmission’s internal components.
Rely on Professional Diagnostic and Repair Services
Your transmission needs precision maintenance to keep it operating effectively. In the absence of proper care or wear and tear, your transmission’s components can begin to fail. You may notice some of the issues above when transmission problems arise. These complex systems have multiple components that can begin to fail and cause improper shifting performance.
You must take your car to a trained transmission specialist to have them diagnose the system. They will perform a complete inspection to determine the cause of the malfunction and offer upfront pricing information on any necessary repairs. If you have noticed problems with how your car shifts gears, now is the time to take it to a shop for prompt service.
