Driving with an automatic transmission that is going bad only damages the unit further and causes more expensive repairs. If you suspect that your transmission isn’t operating as it should be, United Auto Care recommends that you bring your vehicle into our shop as soon as possible. How can you tell whether your automatic transmission is going bad? Let’s talk about the signs of failure below.
Burning Smells From Underneath Your Car
If you smell hot plastic from underneath your automobile, this is a sign that your transmission is overheating and the transmission oil is getting too hot. Sometimes, replacing the transmission oil solves the problem. In other cases, however, the transmission may need to be rebuilt.
Humming Noises When You’re In Neutral
Humming or grinding sounds when you’re in neutral is also a sign that your transmission is going bad. The only thing that you should hear when your vehicle is in neutral is the sound of the engine idling. This sound should be smooth and relatively quiet.
Leaking Transmission Fluid
Transmission fluid will leak from underneath your automobile near the center. Transmission fluid is red when it is new and turns brownish it ages. In some cases, older transmission fluid can also look orange. The transmission is going bad if it is leaking fluid.
Slipping Out of Gear Once in Gear
If your gear teeth are wearing down, your transmission may slip out of gear once it is in gear. You will know that the transmission is no longer in gear because your engine will suddenly rev and you will lose power. This means that the engine is not in gear; it is in neutral.
The Gears Grind and Your Vehicle Shakes
Another sign of internal wear is grinding gears. In some cases, your vehicle will also shake when the automatic transmission shifts gears. This can be a sign of low transmission oil or, as we just mentioned, internal wear that needs to be addressed by replacing transmission parts.
The Transmission Doesn’t Respond At All
If the transmission does not respond at all, i.e., it refuses to go into gear, your transmission is definitely going bad. You should never have any problems getting it into gear when you’re ready to go. It should also go into gear seamlessly without making a clunking sound.
Won’t Shift Through the Cycle
Another sign that the gear teeth have worn down is that your transmission will refuse to shift through the gear cycle. What this means is that it will not shift from first gear to second gear, from second gear to third gear, and so on. This is definitely a sign of a transmission problem.
Your Check Engine Light Turns On
Finally, your check engine light may turn on if your vehicle is having an automatic transmission issue. There is no transmission light on your dashboard, so the engine control unit turns on the check engine light to alert you of trouble.
United Auto Care in Flowery Branch, GA, can inspect your transmission if you suspect that is going bad. Call our shop today to schedule an appointment for faster service.
