Transmission problems can be expensive.
If you drive a car with an automatic transmission, you may have thought about what would happen if the transmission started to fail. Here are five signs of transmission problems you should not ignore:
1. Transmission slipping
If you're experiencing automatic transmission slipping, it can feel like you’re driving in a certain gear and then it changes for no apparent reason. The noise from the engine may change in pitch or start to sound like whining.
2. Rough shifts
Your car may feel like it’s refusing to change gears as it normally does, or the gear shifts aren’t very smooth. Sometimes you can feel or hear a noticeable “clunk” or “thud” when the car shifts gears. You may also notice the car has difficultly getting up to speed.
3. Delayed engagement
If this symptom occurs, you’ll notice a delay before the car actually engages into drive and starts moving forward.
4. Fluid leak
Transmissions are generally sealed units that should never leak fluid. If you’ve noticed leak spots on your driveway or garage floor, lay down cardboard under your car in the front and middle to determine if they’re active leaks.
If your transmission is leaking - fluid is bright red, but can also be a dark red or brown - visit your auto service shop.
5. Transmission warning light
A warning light alone, like the “check engine” light, typically doesn’t mean you have a transmission problem, but if any of the above symptoms are occurring in conjunction with an illuminated warning, have it diagnosed by a professional.
To head many of these issues off at the pass, be sure to have your Transmission checked periodically