Some Indicators That Your Transmission May Need Repairs

February 9, 2023 | By Mister Transmission

Having a reliable car is essential for most people’s daily lives. As cars get older, it’s important to pay attention to the warning signs that something may be wrong. One such warning sign is that your transmission may need repairs. 

If you are unsure of what to look out for, we have listed a couple of indicators below that may help you along the way.

  1. You Are Experiencing Problems When Switching Gears

When a car or truck refuses or struggles to shift gears, it’s probably because of an issue with the transmission. If your car refuses to shift gears, it could be due to a lack of transmission fluid or the wrong type of transmission fluid.

  1. You Are Noticing a Slight Burning Smell

It’s important to get your car checked out as soon as you detect any sort of burning odour emanating from it. If your gearbox has this smell, it may be overheating, or the fluid may be old and burned.

  1. You Are Hearing Noises When in Neutral

When your car starts making strange noises while in neutral, it could be an indication that your transmission needs to be checked. If you’re lucky, those noises may only mean it’s time to get your transmission flushed and filled with fresh fluid.

A professional auto technician may need to replace a part or perform further maintenance on your vehicle.

  1. Your Gears Are Slipping

It’s never a good idea to get behind the wheel with a sliding transmission, but it’s terrifying if the gears start jumping around in your car while driving. When you notice your engine revving when shifting gears, it’s a sure sign that your transmission is slipping. They say it’s like trying to drive on ice since there’s no way to tell if your tires are actually making contact with the pavement.

A delay in acceleration, unusual noises, and a generally harsh response when attempting to shift gears are also indicators of slipping gears.

  1. Your Clutch Drags

When you press the clutch pedal, and nothing happens, you have a dragging clutch. The clutch disc is still attached to the flywheel. Because of this problem, shifting gears causes the gears to clash and the automobile to move. Mechanical breakdowns or misplacement of the clutch are major causes of a dragging clutch.

  1. You See Signs of a Leaking Fluid

Transmission problems are quite simple to diagnose, and fluid leaks are one of the most prevalent ones. Red, sweet-smelling fluid under your car in a parking garage or lot is a sign that your transmission needs to be checked and maybe repaired.

  1. Your Check Engine Lights Are Going Off

The meaning of a dashboard’s illuminated “check engine” light might vary depending on the severity of the problem. Nonetheless, it’s a good idea to have a local specialist look just in case tracing the problem down to its roots is necessary.

  1. You Notice a Shake or Grind When Driving

Automobiles with automated transmissions are more likely to experience grinding or shaking during gear changes. The failure to do so is usually indicative of a problem with the transmission. It’s crucial to get a competent mechanic to look at your car as soon as possible when this happens.

  1. You Are Hearing Unusual Sounds

There are few things more annoying than hearing humming, whining, or clunking sounds while driving. There could be a number of things wrong with your car that are causing the noises you’re hearing, but you really should take it in to have it checked out by a mechanic.

Conclusion

Overall, it can be frustrating when your car starts having problems. Transmission concerns are especially challenging because they can be difficult to diagnose. The good news is that there are a few key indicators that your transmission may need repairs. If you notice any of these signs, it’s important to have your car checked out by a certified mechanic as soon as possible.

If you are looking for a company that handles transmission problems, look no further than our services here at Mister Transmission. We are Canada’s most trusted and most recognized brand for transmission service and transmission repairs, and we constantly keep up with the latest technology in order to offer our customers the best service. Visit our nearest branch today and let us look into your transmission concerns in no time!

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
I had a major issue...
Tin
I had a major issue with my transmission and they have been so great with dealing with it. The first solution fixed it for a while then it came up again and they fixed it for free again. They actually care about you and keeping your business. Would recommend
Date: June 26, 2026
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Beatrice Perri
I had a great experience with Mister Transmission on Dixie Road. The customer service was outstanding from start to finish. Service Advisor Sel was excellent. I was having some issues with my vehicle, and he took the time to clearly explain the problem and the steps the team was taking to ensure it was properly resolved. He kept me informed throughout the process, which gave me confidence that my vehicle was in good hands. Manager Aki also went above and beyond by contacting me a few days later to check on how the vehicle was performing after the repair. That follow-up showed they genuinely care about their customers and stand behind their work. If you're looking for honest, professional service with great communication, I highly recommend Mr. Transmission on Dixie Road. Sel and Aki are a fantastic team!
Date: June 26, 2026
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Kim Weese
They are so nice and do a good job
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Leio Shek
I had been to other shops before coming to Mr. Transmission, and every time I got upsold on expensive services that did absolutely nothing for my car. It was frustrating and costly. Ken was completely different. He quickly diagnosed the real issue, changed the transfer case oil, and now my car runs incredibly smooth — night and day difference. No pressure, no nonsense, just honest, quality service. If you want someone who actually knows what they're doing and won't waste your money, this is the place. Highly recommend!
Date: June 26, 2026
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Skander
These guys are amazing—I highly recommend them! The customer service and the entire team are excellent. I recently had an experience with their mechanic shop, and they were incredibly honest and professional.
Date: June 25, 2026
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These guys are amazing—I highly...
Skander
These guys are amazing—I highly recommend them! The customer service and the entire team are excellent. I recently had an experience with their mechanic shop, and they were incredibly honest and professional.
Date: June 25, 2026
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Mr Transmission was recommended to...
Lisa Snell
Mr Transmission was recommended to us by our local mechanic for our Ford F150 rear differential and seals. The quote we received turned out to be actually less. The service by Ariel and Mandeep was nothing but exceptional. So professional and kind, honest and fair. Would highly recommend Mr Transmission and their remarkable staff
Date: June 25, 2026
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Patricia
I took my car in as I felt something was wrong but to my joy, the fellows couldn't find a thing wrong They tried to recreate my situations and everything was fine. I left feeling secure in their findings and would recommend them to all my friends. Thanks so much!
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