Your transmission is one of the most important parts of your vehicle, allowing it to run smoothly and efficiently as you do your daily driving. However, transmissions don’t always last forever, and being able to recognize the signs your transmission is failing early can make all the difference when it comes to avoiding large, costly repairs.
The only problem is that, unless you know what to look for, the early warning signs can be easy to miss. No one wants to have to deal with a sudden breakdown, especially when it requires expensive repairs to fix. So, if you want to ensure that your car continues to run as it should, here is everything you need to know about your transmission and the signs it may be failing.
What Does Your Transmission Actually Do?
Your vehicle’s transmission serves as the essential middleman that transfers the power your engine generates directly to the wheels, making the car move forward or backward. It does this through a complex process that involves adjusting gear ratios so your vehicle can accelerate efficiently and maintain speed without needlessly overworking your engine.
When everything is working properly, your gear changes will feel seamless and predictable. But when problems begin, that smooth performance will be the first thing to go. From delayed gear shifts and rough transitions to inconsistent and unpredictable power delivery, all of these symptoms are common when transmissions start to fail, and will only get worse if the issue persists.
Differences Between Automatic and Manual Transmissions
Automatic and manual transmissions do the same job, but work through slightly different processes. As you probably already know, manual transmissions rely solely on human input to switch gears, but automatic transmissions are a bit more complicated, relying on computers, fluid pressure, and internal components to achieve the same goal.
This means that the signs your automatic transmission is failing can look a bit different when compared to manual systems, even though there is still a lot of overlap.
Why Is It Important to Catch Transmission Problems Early?
Transmission problems don’t fix themselves, and small issues like worn components or low fluid levels can and will lead to internal damage. Over time, this causes heat and friction to increase, placing even more stress on already weakened parts.
Catching these problems early and keeping up with regular transmission maintenance gives technicians the best shot to correct these issues before they have the chance to get worse and cause much more costly damage. So, though it may be inconvenient, finding the time to address minor issues now is all it takes to prevent much larger repairs and more inconvenient repairs later.
5 Signs Your Car Transmission is Failing
Your Car is Struggling to Shift Gears Properly
One of the most noticeable signs that your car transmission is failing is having difficulty shifting gears. Delayed shifts when moving from park to drive or noticing a jerking sensation during gear changes are both common in automatic vehicles, with these same issues making it a lot more physically taxing to shift gears in manual vehicles.
These symptoms often point to issues with internal components or transmission fluid pressure, and usually only require relatively quick and painless repairs to resolve. However, if you ignore these issues, they will get much worse.
You’re Hearing Unusual Noises When Driving
Unusual sounds are another common sign that your transmission is inching towards failure. Grinding, shaking, vibrating, whining, humming, and clunking are all noises that indicate there is a problem in both automatic and manual transmissions, especially when shifting gears.
Unusual noises tend to point to different issues, depending on what type of noise you’re hearing. For example, grinding, shaking, vibrating, and clunking sounds are usually indicative of overly worn or loose parts, and whining and humming are much more likely to be a fluid problem.
Regardless of which types of noises you’re hearing, it’s important to act quickly to bring your car into a professional so that they can diagnose and repair the issue before it gets worse.
Transmission Fluid is Leaking or Burning
Your transmission would be useless without the transmission fluid inside, providing the lubrication and cooling necessary to keep the system running smoothly. This means that if it starts leaking, it can lead to serious problems very quickly.
These leaks often develop due to worn seals or damaged fluid lines, and over time, low fluid levels will lead to overheating and increased wear. The good news is that leaks are usually easy to spot. If you notice a red or dark fluid pooling underneath your vehicle, it almost certainly means that your transmission is leaking fluid.
Burning smells coming from your vehicle are also easy signs to spot and usually mean that your transmission fluid is overheating. This is also a big problem, as when fluid overheats, it breaks down and loses its ability to protect the internal components of your transmission.
Your Vehicle is Hesitating or Losing Power
Another telltale sign that something is wrong with your transmission is your vehicle hesitating when you press down on the gas pedal. This hesitation is one of the more frustrating and dangerous signs that your car transmission is failing, especially during common daily driving situations like merging or turning.
In some more severe cases, you may even start to notice gear slipping, which is when your vehicle changes gears unexpectedly or struggles to stay in the correct gear as long as it should. This most often manifests as a sudden loss of power when driving or seeing the engine suddenly start revving much higher without any measurable increases in speed.
Gear slipping, in particular, can be incredibly dangerous, as it drastically reduces the level of control you have over your vehicle. It’s also one of the clearest signs that your transmission is truly failing, so if you’re experiencing issues like these, you need to contact a professional immediately.
Your Check Engine Light is On
Modern vehicles are full of all sorts of sensors that they use to monitor performance across all of their various systems, including the transmission. As soon as something isn’t functioning properly, the check engine light turns on.
Transmission-related issues can and will trigger this warning, even if the problem is not immediately obvious. The main problem here is that the check engine light coming on doesn’t necessarily mean that there is a problem with the transmission. It could be almost anything.
This is why diagnostic tests are so important. Professional diagnostic checks allow you to identify the exact cause of the problem, rather than simply guessing. If your check engine light appears alongside other signs your transmission is failing, then it’s probably a problem with the transmission that’s to blame.
That being said, regardless of whether it’s the transmission or not, if your check engine light comes on, you should schedule a professional inspection immediately to prevent whatever is wrong from getting worse.
What Should You Do If You Notice These Signs?
If you notice any of these symptoms, it’s probably a good time to bring your vehicle in for an inspection. Transmission issues tend to progress over time, so early attention can make a big difference in how effectively and inexpensively you are able to solve the problem.
We simply can’t understate the importance of staying proactive. It’s not just about maintaining peak performance and efficiency. It’s also about ensuring that you can rely on your car to get you from A to B safely whenever you may need it to.
Where Can You Get Reliable Transmission Service in Exton and West Chester?
At Welsh Automotive, we take pride in delivering accurate diagnostics and reliable repairs. Our ASE-certified technicians have decades of combined experience working with a wide range of transmission systems, including all sorts of both automatic and manual transmissions.
What You Can Expect From Welsh Automotive
We aren’t some giant company that only thinks of our customers as another number. We’re a local business that truly cares about providing an exceptional customer service experience that makes every visit as convenient as possible.
At the end of the day, you’re much more than just another customer to us. You’re our neighbor, and we’ll always treat you like you’re one of our own. Plus, with free loaner vehicles and in-house warranties, and a commitment to providing honest recommendations and quality workmanship, there’s really no better choice than Welsh Automotive.
So, if you’re dealing with transmission issues, stop by our Welsh Automotive Exton or West Chester locations, and we’ll make sure that your transmission is in tip-top shape in no time.
Contact Welsh Automotive Today
Have you been noticing signs that your transmission is failing? Give us a call.
Our team of automotive experts is always here to answer your questions and will happily tell you more about how we can help you ensure your transmission is in peak condition. We’ll also help you schedule your service whenever it’s convenient and can even offer you proven maintenance tips so that you can do your best to avoid any expensive transmission problems down the road.
Don’t ignore the signs that your car transmission is failing until it’s too late. Contact Welsh Automotive and schedule your next visit today.