Burning Smell in Your Car

By Mister Transmission

What the nose knows could prevent your car’s transmission from failing completely. A burning smell in your car could indicate serious transmission trouble

Does something smell amiss when you’re driving?

It could be burning transmission fluid you’re smelling, and it’s one of the major warning signs that your vehicle’s transmission may be overheating.

Regardless of the cause, a burning smell coming from your vehicle’s engine is never a welcome sign. In an automatic transmission, the fluid ought to be a bright red colour, clear, and it should have a hint of a sweet smell. It’s the fluid that lubricates all of your transmission’s moving parts and keeps it cool to prevent wear and tear on the multitude of components within it.

If the fluid has passed its best before date, or if there’s a leak in your transmission and you don’t have enough fluid in it, the fluid will overheat and begin to burn. That, in turn, can lead to corrosion of the transmission, and a buildup of grime and debris inside of it. If you are experiencing this worrisome situation, don’t hesitate to see a certified transmission expert and avoid a full-on mechanical breakdown.

Other Important Transmission Warning Signs

There are other telltale signs that something may be wrong with your vehicle’s automatic or manual transmission you should be wary of, including:

  • Trouble shifting into gear or gears slipping
  • Grinding noises or the vehicle rattles or jerks when you drive (common in vehicles with a manual transmission that’s gone awry)
  • The “service engine soon” light on your dashboard is seemingly always lit up
  • There’s a delay in your vehicle’s movement though the engine is revving
  • There’s a pool of red liquid beneath your engine where you park

Find out if your transmission is the culprit for the burning smell in your car. Contact the Mister Transmission service centre nearest you, book a service appointment, and get the answers you need to the questions you have about your transmission.

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Customer Reviews
I would highly recommend this...
Joe Lima
I would highly recommend this shop,they're very busy but the service is excellent.
Date: November 15, 2023
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Ken has been and continues...
Subie Norm
Ken has been and continues to be our family's go-to guy for all things driveline and transmissions related for probably close to 2 decades now. He's honest, transparent, and master of this craft. We get peace of mind knowing that it's done right. We've had everything from transmissions and differentials rebuilt by Ken on our Ford heavy duty vehicles to even some custom driveshaft repair work on our Subaru. He replaced those pesky non serviceable joints on the Subaru driveshafts with serviceable ones, instead of needing to replace the whole shaft assembly (would have cost a lot more). Every repair has been flawless. More recently my old Subaru Forester developed a squeak in the rear end. Brought it to Ken and he was able to diagnose and pinpoint several potential areas where the noise was likely coming from. After he worked his magic, the noise is now gone! Highly recommended! Thanks Ken!
Date: November 15, 2023
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Larry Clarke
While most shops told me they were booked solid and could not get me in for almost a month, you offered to slip me in and did a great job. My truck is running much better and no more vibration...
Date: November 14, 2023
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Very professional and thorough.
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Very professional and thorough.
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Great service, friendly staff, talks...
Justin Olson
Great service, friendly staff, talks to you every step before they do anything.
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Honesty up front. Transparency of...
James L
Honesty up front. Transparency of work required. And great bedside manner when explaining work needed. CVT specialist for my 11 Murano.
Date: November 13, 2023
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Great service every time.
Lou Jones
Great service every time.
Date: November 13, 2023
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Jessica Oldroyd
Where do I start ! Dez was amazing ! Helped me get out of a sticky situation ! Went over and beyond helping me get my car safe for myself and child ! Would recommend in a heart beat !
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