How To Spot Transmission Trouble

Posted on: 3 June 2016

Unless you want to find yourself stranded along the side of the road, needing a tow to get home, you will want to make sure that you are well aware of the signs of transmission trouble. This way, you can have the vehicle repaired before the transmission completely breaks on you. To help you with this, you will want to review the following signs of transmission trouble.

Fluid Is Leaking

Depending on where the fluid is leaking from and how much is leaking, you may or may not notice a lot of it on the ground. However, to help catch the occasional drips that might be happening, you might want to place a large piece of cardboard under the front end of your vehicle. Secure the cardboard in place with a couple of rocks. Pull the cardboard out in the morning. If you notice that there are some wet spots on it, you will want to take your vehicle to a skilled mechanic so the issue can be addressed. Do not make the mistake of assuming that just because the leak is small, that your transmission is fine. A small leak can turn into a large leak in no time at all and if your transmission runs dry, it can completely lock up and no longer function.

Shifting Is Rough

It is important to make sure that you are paying attention to how the vehicle shifts when you go into drive from park or from reverse into drive. Generally, there should not be much of a hesitation and the shifting between the gears should be so smooth that you are not going to feel anything. Therefore, if you find that you are feeling a jerking sensation when the vehicle is shifting gears, or there is a delay in engagement, you will want to take it to a transmission specialist as soon as possible. The longer you wait, the worse the problem can become and you could eventually find that you are unable to move the vehicle at all unless you have it towed somewhere.

The Check Engine Light Is On

Whether the check engine light is blinking or steadily lit, the fact that it is on should be a concern for you. It means that there is a problem with the vehicle that needs your immediate attention. While it could be a variety of things, it can also indicate a problem with the transmission. Therefore, you will want to have a mechanic hook your vehicle up to a machine that will read the codes that it is giving off, which will tell him or her what the exact problem is.

With those few things in mind, you should have a much easier time spotting potential issues with your transmission. Auto repair companies like Collins Service Center can provide more information.

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