How to Anticipate Automatic Transmission Problems

By Mister Transmission

Automatic Transmission Problems

In sports, it is often said that the best defence is a good offence. If we extrapolate from this aphorism and translate the meaning to the context of vehicle care, it is best to remain ever vigilant with regards to transmission problems. The best way to avoid major problems with your transmission is to anticipate them and head them off at the proverbial pass. If you notice a small problem, get it fixed by a professional Transmission Shop before it becomes a big problem. And do whatever you can to avoid the development of problems in the first place. It may take some time and effort, but if you can anticipate transmission problems before they occur, you will save yourself a lot more time and effort in the long run, as well as money.

Automatic transmission problems

But just how do you anticipate problems with your automatic transmission? How can you know if things are about to go pear shaped? Well, the first thing you need to do is arm yourself with knowledge. You need to know what some common automatic transmission problems are before you can anticipate them. So let’s first go over some of the most common symptoms of problems with automatic transmissions:

  • Slipping – transmission slipping from one gear into another
  • Rough shifts – hearing or experiencing bumps or jolts when you shift gears
  • Delayed shifts – when your transmission lags behind you when you shift gears
  • Leaks – when you see transmission fluid underneath your vehicle after you’ve parked, you have a transmission fluid leak
  • Warning light – an obvious one, but still far too often ignored; a warning light (such as “Check Engine”) could indicate a problem with your transmission.

If you experience any of the above problems, bring your vehicle in for inspection and repair immediately. The longer you wait, the greater the risk of the problem worsening, which could you leave you with a larger repair bill, stranded by the side of the highway, or worse still, in a collision.

Prevention is better than cure

Just like you should eat your daily serving of vegetables and avoid junk food in order to maintain good health for the future, so too should you take care of your vehicle to prevent future problems. Most any transmission problem can be caused or exacerbated by insufficient levels or poor quality of transmission fluid. This is why you should check your transmission fluid regularly. If your fluid is a reddish translucent colour, you should be OK. If your transmission fluid is dark and smells funny, you should change it. You can change your transmission fluid yourself, or bring it into the shop if you would rather not spend time on it yourself.

Also, just like with your body, you shouldn’t deprive your transmission of regular checkups. At Mister Transmission, we have our Multi-Check Inspection that methodically tests all aspects of your transmission and can find any problems with your car’s transmission, including problems you may not have even noticed yourself.

Contact us

If you think your transmission is due for an inspection or you suspect you’re already experiencing automatic (or even manual) transmission problems,  please bring your vehicle into the shop or contact our transmission shop  today.

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Customer Reviews
Mr.Transmission Peterborough is second to...
Ryan Pelman
Mr.Transmission Peterborough is second to no none. After multiple quotes they won with the lowest cost to repair. DO NOT bother with dealers or a standard auto mechanic. Your transmission is is complex....and these guy's are working solely on them every day. There's a huge margin for error, which means bigger problems and more money. Do yourself a favor, call Mr. Transmission Peterborough for your fix people.
Date: June 3, 2025
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My wife's Subaru was experiencing...
Martin
My wife's Subaru was experiencing a humming noise and rough shifting when the clutch was being pushed in. Mr. Transmission had a new clutch installed up within a week at a reasonable price. The Subaru drives great now. Very happy with the service here!
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Super friendly and efficient service....
Chelsea Frenette
Super friendly and efficient service. They were able to get my repairs covered under warranty, completed very quickly, and without stress to me. 100% would recommend!
Date: June 3, 2025
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This Mister Transmission location is...
Tristan Noa
This Mister Transmission location is an absolute gem. Joe and his team saved me when my car was facing a severely damaged transmission due to a complicated problem. They guided me in determining the most effective and budget-friendly solution. The expertise of the technicians and staff is truly remarkable and extensive, all while being customer friendly and kind. Thank you for helping me with my Toyota rav 4
Date: June 3, 2025
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They took the time for...
Skip Hill
They took the time for us! Great Great service!! Fit us in and helped us make an informed decision. Highly Recommended.
Date: June 3, 2025
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Great shop! They were very...
Greg Pender
Great shop! They were very fast and thorough diagnosing and repairing my truck transmission. I would not hesitate to return.
Date: June 3, 2025
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My 2016 Honda HRV had...
Chris Njoki
My 2016 Honda HRV had been making a growling noise at certain speeds. My regular mechanic wasn't certain what the issue was and he rightfully referred me to these transmission and driveline specialists. With a drive around the block and afew more tests, Mike was quickly able to diagnose that the issue was my driveshaft. He provided options and walked me through the whole repair process in a refreshingly transparent manner. By the next afternoon my car had a new driveshaft installed was running as good as new. I highly recommend this business!!
Date: June 3, 2025
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I took my 2017 Acura...
ABH
I took my 2017 Acura RDX to Rob about 2/3 weeks ago for a transmission fluid change. Rob gave me a lesson on transmissions and how they function with the engine which no mechanic I know has ever been able to explain to me. He was courteous, kind and very knowledgeable and professional. The car! It runs so smoothly now. Thank you Rob for the exceptional service.
Date: June 2, 2025
Website: Google
I took my 2017 Acura...
ABH
I took my 2017 Acura RDX to Rob about 2/3 weeks ago for a transmission fluid change. Rob gave me a lesson on transmissions and how they function with the engine which no mechanic I know has ever been able to explain to me. He was courteous, kind and very knowledgeable and professional. The car! It runs so smoothly now. Thank you Rob for the exceptional service.
Date: June 2, 2025
Website: Google
The owner Asan leads this...
Brad Hedderson
The owner Asan leads this company and his team with integrity, class, professionalism and is a MECHANICAL GENIUS! I had a nagging, complicated problem that could not be immediately repaired. Asan honored the original quote and continued to diagnose the vehicle using his sophisticated equipment combined with his unmatched insights until he pinpointed the likely elusive cause. He quickly found the needed replacement part and once installed, voila the issue was resolved. This service department is excellent with transmissions but has broad capabilities that make it a must first choice destination to bring your vehicle.
Date: June 2, 2025
Website: Google
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