How Can You Tell if a Transmission is Working Properly?

How can you tell if your transmission is working properly? Usually, you can do so by the absence of observable problems. The truth is that it’s much easier to tell if your transmission is not working properly. This article will go over some of the telltale signs that you have a transmission problem as well as some of the things you can do if you have a nagging feeling that something is amiss, but you’re not sure what.

Symptoms of Transmission Problems

The easiest way to figure out if there’s something wrong with your transmission is if there’s an obvious problem. Granted, you don’t want to ever have any transmission problems if you can help it. But if you know what the signs are and able to identify them, then at least you can take the proper steps to get them fixed right away.

Some common symptoms of transmission problems include:

• Slipping out of gear
• Transmission rejecting gear changes
• Grinding, clunking, or resistance when shifting gears
• A smell of burning
• Whirring, thumping, or other odd sounds coming from your transmission
• Patches of reddish liquid on the pavement under your vehicle (sign of a transmission fluid leak)
• Transmission fluid has a foul odour or is discoloured/opaque (sign of damaged or burned transmission fluid)

The Multi-Check Inspection

If you have observed any of the above symptoms from your transmission you should bring it into a reputable transmission shop to get the problem fixed. And you should do it sooner rather than later; it doesn’t pay to procrastinate. However, these symptoms generally present only when a problem has become severe enough to be noticed. Is there anyway to identify a problem sooner? Well, yes, there is.

Mister Transmission offers a four-part multi-check inspection as part of our transmission services. The multi-check inspection is almost certain to be able to find any problems or inefficiencies with your transmission. The multi-check inspection includes:

• A Fluid Check
• A Road Test
• A Lift Inspection (if required)
• A Pan Examination (if required)

The Fluid Check

            –The fluid check examines your transmission fluid. If the fluid is damaged or depleted, this could be the cause of or a symptom of a problem.

The Road Test

            -Sometimes the best way to examine a transmission is to get the vehicle out on the road to see how it handles. Our technicians will take careful notice of how the transmission responds to commands and everything it does. Or doesn’t do, as the case may be.

The Lift Inspection

            -During the lift inspection a Mister Transmission technician will examine the following:

• Neutral Switch
• Engine RPM
• Throttle Linkage
• Modulators
• Transmission Mounts
• U-Joints
• Fluid Retention
• Electronic Controls

The Pan Examination

           -The pan examination is the most important part of the Mister Transmission multi-check inspection. In all pans, you can expect to see some metal particles and friction material. However, an excess of this material indicates internal wear and damage. If that is the case, and it is determined that a minor adjustment will not correct the problem, we will recommend Mister Transmission’s inspection service. This service will determine exactly what is wrong inside your transmission.

Reach Out

If you would like to learn more about the Mister Transmission multi-check inspection or about how to properly evaluate your transmission’s health, please reach out and get in touch with us today.