Between odd sounds and smells to a lack of response and handling, there are different ways you can tell if your transmission isn’t working as it should. It can be hard diagnosing the exact issue, but a dash of proactive care and awareness goes a long way in keeping your vehicle up and running smoothly. Here are five signs it’s time for a transmission checkup.
- The Check Engine Light Appears
If you see a check engine or service engine soon light on the dashboard, it means there’s something amiss with your vehicle’s under-the-hood hardware. There could be a failing oxygen or mass airflow sensor, a loose gas cap, a faulty catalytic converter, worn spark plugs, or unit overheating due to low transmission fluid levels. Whatever the cause, a flashing or red light on the dash indicates a serious issue.
If you aren’t sure where the problem lies, consider hooking up a diagnostic scan tool to the underside of the instrument panel. This tool will display a code corresponding to the area causing the malfunction. If the faulty component is your transmission, you should have your vehicle serviced as soon as possible.
- You Hear Strange Sounds
Any number of sounds could indicate a worn-out transmission. For instance, you might hear a slight whirring, humming, or buzzing sound when running your car. If you hear thumping when driving in neutral, it could be due to a shortage of transmission fluid, but a prolonging persistence of sounds could also signal something worse.
- You Smell Something Abnormal
Transmission fluid tends to start off sweet or tart in smell. If you happen to dip below the recommended transmission fluid level, you’ll notice a drastic change in smell from sweet to burning. It’s because your transmission isn’t properly lubricated and is starting to rub against other components, which then leads to overheating.
- You Notice a Fluid Leak
One way to tell if you’re dealing with a transmission fluid leak is to look under your vehicle’s cab for any dark brown or black liquid spots. This is a drastic shift from the fluid’s initial red color. But what exactly causes a transmission fluid leak? It could be due to problems such as disconnected cooler lines, exhausted gaskets or seals, worn-out axles or mounts, an out-of-balance drive shaft, or a loose transmission pan. Either way, it should be checked out immediately to prevent further damage to the engine hub.
- Your Shifting Seems a Bit Off
The main purpose of your transmission is to give you the proper power output with every gear switch. If you notice a delay in shifting or feel a grinding response, your clutch may be near its end and in dire need of replacement. This is also true if you feel no response at all when attempting to shift or if you feel the clutch dragging or slipping excessively.
If you don’t know what’s causing your transmission to fail, the experts at Burien Chevrolet can help you properly diagnose the problem.
Image via steviep187 | Licensed by CC BY-ND 2.0
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