Your car’s transmission system is a crucial component when it comes to operating it smoothly. It is basically a vehicle’s gearbox comprising hundreds of components. It uses the power of your vehicle and transfers it to the wheels. Regular use while driving can cause a lot of wear and tear to the transmission. A malfunctioning or an underperforming transmission can compromise your vehicle’s performance.
Here in this post, we will talk about different types of transmission problems your car can face.
Slipping gears
A vehicle that slips between gears or into neutral poses a serious safety threat. Over time, gears can wear out due to overuse. When they don’t properly fit together, they provide a jerky shifting experience.
Likewise, transmission bands in automatic transmissions can wear down or break over time and require replacement. If you notice these signs, your transmission might be slipping:
- Delays in acceleration
- Struggle in shifting from one gear to the next
- High RPM
- Burning smell inside the car while driving
Leaking fluid
Transmission fluid is green or red in color so that it can be easily recognized from other fluids in the vehicle. It has a thinner consistency than engine oil but is thicker than brake fluid. The most common sign of a transmission leak is a puddle of transmission fluid on your driveway or underneath your car.
Through its color, consistency, and smell, you can easily distinguish it from other fluids. If the transmission fluid is brown and smells burnt, your transmission needs servicing. Another sign of a leak in the system is your vehicle is too slow to start.
Odd sounds
Depending on the make and model, the noise in a vehicle may differ. If your vehicle has bad automatic transmission, it may emit clunking, humming, or whining sounds. On the other hand, if it runs on manual transmissions, it may deliver harsher mechanical noises, such as clunking.
If the whining noise comes from your transmission, it will worsen when you reverse your vehicle, meaning the transmission fluid line is clogged. The gurgling noise is caused by excess air in your transmission line.
Burning Smell
If there is a burning odor not accompanied by any leakage, it is likely due to overheating from clutch debris, breakdown of metallic components, and sludge. If the system has low transmission fluid levels, it may cause overheating and burning up of your transmission.
A sign of dark and smoky fluid is abnormal. After noticing these signs, you should take your vehicle to a professional mechanic to replace the fluid. If you witness some hesitation in shifting the gears, it may indicate that your car needs transmission repair.
Noisy transmission in neutral
If the clutch pedal is engaged and you hear a grinding or rattling noise, the throw-out bearing for the clutch is bad. If the vehicle’s transmission is in neutral, and the rattling noise is loudest, it could be caused by worn needle bearings inside the transmission’s torque converter. If these bearings wear out, the transmission will begin to have trouble shifting.
About SMA Jet Transmissions
Our team of professionals is knowledgeable, well-equipped, and reliable, with over three decades of experience in the automation repair and maintenance industry. Our ASE-certified staff is committed to the safety of our customers. We specialize in car transmissions and cater to the needs of customers in West Park, Florida.
You can reach out to us at (954) 251-1204 to get a free estimate or any queries related to car transmission problems.