The best way to judge your transmission’s health is by paying attention while driving. Symptoms you may notice while driving – such as shaking, hesitation, or a burning smell – can tell you a lot about any potential problems with your car. Staying aware of these signs as they come up can help you stay proactive about necessary auto repairs. This is especially important when dealing with essential systems in your car, such as the engine and transmission. If you’re worried about your car’s transmission, the mechanics at your local AAMCO can help get you safely back on the road again.
Difficulty or Inability to Shift Gears
If you drive a manual transmission, you may notice over time that it becomes more difficult to shift into certain gears. Eventually, it may even become impossible to shift into one or more gears. This can happen as a result of normal wear and tear – or if it comes on more suddenly, it could be an indication of overdue transmission maintenance.
This Transmission Problem Could Mean Bad Transmission Fluid
Take a look at your transmission fluid and see if it is low. If your car’s transmission fluid becomes too low, it can’t adequately lubricate moving parts in the transmission or create enough pressure to move parts as needed. You can top off your transmission fluid as a temporary fix, but a transmission fluid replacement service plus an inspection for leaks should be done soon.
Grinding Sounds When Shifting Gears
When you shift gears, there should be a smooth and silent transition from one gear to the next. If you start noticing a grinding sound when shifting gears, whether you drive an automatic or manual transmission, it’s a sign of transmission trouble. However, in either case, it’s not a transmission repair to ignore or procrastinate taking care of.
This Can Be an Indication of Slipping Gears
If you drive a manual transmission, grinding gears most likely indicates slipping gears and a necessary clutch repair. On the other hand, if you drive an automatic transmission, it could point to one of several parts of the transmission failing or needing adjustment, including the transmission’s synchronizers. Your best bet is to have a trusted mechanic inspect your transmission.
Vibration or Shaking When Driving
A healthy car will have a smooth and easy driving experience. If you notice your car has started to shake or vibrate while driving, it’s a key indication you have an auto repair to deal with soon. While it could be a number of problems, one common cause is in the transmission: low transmission fluid.
Check for Low Transmission Fluid
Use the transmission dipstick to check your transmission fluid’s level and condition. Low transmission fluid can cause shaking or vibration while accelerating and can also lead to extra damage and wear to the transmission’s working parts. If your transmission fluid is low, topping it off can help in the short term. However, low transmission fluid also indicates a fluid leak, which should be diagnosed by a mechanic as soon as possible.
Hesitation or Revving While Driving
With both automatic and manual transmission vehicles, you may start to notice hesitation or sudden revving while driving. Most likely, this is because of slipping gears. While this could be due to a problem with your transmission fluid, it’s also possible you have worn gears that need attention from a mechanic.
You May Be Dealing with Worn Gears
If you have worn gears, they won’t fix themselves and there’s really no way to make them better, even temporarily. Instead, they’ll continue to wear out and eventually, you may find it impossible to shift into certain gears. It’s important to have a mechanic inspect your car’s transmission and handle any needed transmission repairs.
A Burning Smell While Driving
Smelling burning while driving is never a welcome sign. Depending on the timing, it can indicate a few different car problems, but if it stays consistent the whole time you drive or gets worse the longer you drive, one possibility is an overheating transmission. This could be due to low transmission fluid or a problem with the cooling system, but any car problems causing a burning smell should be taken care of as soon as possible.
You May Have an Overheating Transmission or Engine
Because your car’s engine and transmission work closely with one another, when one overheats, the other is also likely to. So whether your car’s problem lies within the engine or transmission, it can lead to bigger problems in one or both.
For Trustworthy Transmission Repairs in Minnesota, Come to AAMCO
Worried about your car’s transmission? You don’t have to worry when you bring your car to your local AAMCO Minnesota transmission shop. Our mechanics are ready to accurately diagnose and handle any auto repairs your vehicle needs. Easily schedule your appointment with us online!