Your vehicle’s transmission is one of its most important components. It is responsible for delivering the right amount of power to your wheels so that you can drive at an intended speed. Because of the crucial role that the transmission plays, it’s essential to ensure that the system is properly maintained. When transmission problems go undetected and unresolved, they can cause your car to stop running entirely and put your safety at risk. Recognize the symptoms of transmission problems so that you can address them as soon as possible. Here are some common warning signs that your transmission is going out.
What’s that sound?
When a vehicle’s transmission is failing, it often makes a variety of strange, noises such as humming, buzzing, whining, or clunking. One of the most notable auditory signs that your transmission is going out, however, is a grinding sound.
Grinding sounds that occur when your vehicle shifts gears often indicate that your transmission’s synchronizers aren’t functioning properly. On the other hand, such sounds could also simply be the result of a worn-out clutch. It’s best to get your vehicle checked out to make sure.
Is something burning?
The smell of something burning is never a good sign and shouldn’t go ignored. A burning smell coming from your vehicle could mean many different things, including transmission failure.
Often, that burning smell is the result of overheated transmission fluid because of transmission solenoid issues or a lack of transmission fluid. To determine the exact cause for the burnt smell, make sure to get your vehicle checked out by a professional immediately. You don’t want to wait until your vehicle’s transmission is completely fried when the issue could have been easily resolved with a few replacement parts.
Sticking or slipping gears
Gear-related issues typically indicate that your vehicle’s transmission isn’t functioning properly. If shifting into a different gear is difficult or impossible, don’t just keep yanking on your stuck shift. Get your mechanic to look at your vehicle’s transmission.
Additionally, if your vehicle’s gears are slipping and changing on their own while driving, you should seek help immediately. This symptom of a faulty transmission is particularly dangerous. Slipping gears could easily result in an accident if your vehicle shifts into a different gear spontaneously while you’re out on the road.
