Have you noticed patches of reddish clear fluid on your driveway after you pull out in the morning? Have you felt odd clicking or grinding sensations coming from your vehicle when you change gears? Have you heard weird whirring noises when you change gears? Or does your vehicle just decide to change gears on its own and you slip out of gear? If so, then it is likely that you have a transmission-related problem with your vehicle. But before you get too worked up, let’s try to figure out just how bad your transmission problem is.
The first thing you should do if you think you have a transmission problem is check your transmission fluid, as insufficient levels or poor quality of transmission fluid can cause more damage to your vehicle and transmission. Transmission fluid is the lifeblood of your transmission. It keeps everything well lubricated and running smoothly – it is so important to have this checked if you are sensing you have transmission related issue.
Checking your transmission fluid is easily done. You can bring it in to Mister Transmission and we’ll do it for you quick, or you can do it yourself if you feel comfortable doing so. You want to check both the level of fluid and its quality. The fluid should be transparent with a reddish tint to it. If it is opaque or smells unpleasant, the fluid is degraded and should be flushed out and replaced.
Topping up or replacing your transmission fluid could be all the fix you need for your transmission problem. However, problems with the fluid are often a symptom of a larger problem. For example, let’s say you top up your fluid but then two weeks later, your transmission problems reemerge. You check your fluid levels once again and are aghast to discover the fluid level has dropped once again.
In such a case, you have a fluid leak. With leaks, you will probably notice patches of transmission fluid on the pavement under where you parked your car. Leaks can be a minor transmission problem…or a big one. It depends on the size of the leak. A total reseal is obviously a much bigger job than a smaller, isolated area that needs resealing. But as far as transmission problems go, it could always be worse.
If your transmission fluid is foul smelling and opaque, your transmission problem might be caused by normal wear and tear. This would require an inspection to diagnose. Sometimes it’s as simple as replacing one or two accessible parts that have worn down and impacted the transmission fluid. Sometimes, it’s a bigger problem, and a more extensive repair job is required. To be sure, please bring your vehicle to your nearest Mister Transmission and we will be happy to complete a free multi-check to properly diagnose your vehicle.
Nowadays, many transmission problems are, effectively, computer problems. If your vehicle has a computer-controlled transmission that is not shifting properly, it is often the result of the onboard computer sending incorrect signals due to a faulty sensor, or the transmission is not reacting to the command because of a bad connection or defective solenoid pack. These are not necessarily big transmission problems, but it will require a visit to a transmission shop that has the special equipment required to interface with your vehicle’s computer.
If your vehicle is experiencing what you think might be a transmission problem, please do not hesitate to contact us today.
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