How Can You Tell if a Transmission is Working Properly?

December 28, 2018 | By Mister Transmission

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.

Mister Transmission Team

The Mister Transmission team consists of certified transmission specialists with decades of combined experience in diagnosing, repairing, and maintaining automatic and manual transmissions.

With over 60 years of service across Canada, our experts provide trusted, accurate, and up-to-date automotive advice to help drivers make informed decisions about their vehicles.

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Customer Reviews
Mr. Transmission in Calgary replaced...
Jake Hiebert
Mr. Transmission in Calgary replaced the transmission on our 2014 Acura MDX with a used one and everything works perfectly. Highly recommend them. Matt and Jasmine were great to work with.
Date: September 29, 2026
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This is a real mechanics...
Gregory D
This is a real mechanics shop. Don't expect free coffee and pampering, but do expect experience and knowledge. I've had an automatic transmission replaced on an old Golf. No issues. At very reasonable price. I tried them out with other issues on Ford Edge (wife’s), and later on with Dodge Grandcaravan (my work car). I compared them with another major auto shop. And each time Giorgio proved to be professional, knowledgeable and straightforward. And each time, offering reasonable estimates. Downside is that I needed to leave the car for the whole day. (A week in case of the transmission replacement), but it was worth it. There were some issues for which this shop is not equipped to handle. Giorgio directed me to an equally professional specialty auto shop.
Date: September 29, 2026
Website: Google
Went above and beyond what...
Chris Lockridge
Went above and beyond what they needed to do. Also completed it way faster than expected. More than happy with the staff
Date: September 29, 2026
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Excellent service by Mister Transmission....
Greg Suski
Excellent service by Mister Transmission. I totally recommend them.
Date: September 29, 2026
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Phill was Very professional ,handled...
Kyle Hopkins
Phill was Very professional ,handled the issue with ease.will be recommending to others for sure .
Date: September 28, 2026
Website: Google
I would not hesitate to...
Rick Bray
I would not hesitate to recommend Mister Transmission for service and repair. Their staff are knowledgeable and thorough. Their ability to communicate clearly and concisely is excellent. In my experience , they go above and beyond to ensure good customer service.
Date: September 28, 2026
Website: Google
I had a great experience...
Pauline Mach
I had a great experience dealing with Gary here at Mister Transmission. He was extremely helpful from start to finish. He fit me in right away for a quick diagnostic, clearly explained everything he found, and provided fair and reasonable pricing. Gary was knowledgeable, friendly, and took the time to make sure I understood what was going on and didn't over charge me for something I didn't need. It’s clear that he genuinely cares about helping his customers rather than just trying to sell them extra services. I would definitely recommend this company to anyone looking for honest, professional, and reliable service!
Date: September 28, 2026
Website: Google
Very respectful, kind, and honest...
Bavithan Ramesh
Very respectful, kind, and honest people. Great service and a great experience overall!
Date: September 28, 2026
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Excellent service
Gordo GAHD
Excellent service
Date: September 28, 2026
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The staff were very friendly...
Michelle Ovie
The staff were very friendly and helpful. They completed a transmission service as well as a diagnostic road test. Excellent service, great price, excellent value
Date: September 27, 2026
Website: Google
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