Never take your car, truck, or utility vehicle’s transmission for granted. C&C Automotive advises that transmission repairs can be very expensive. To avoid the need for transmission repairs, have your vehicle’s transmission serviced every 30,000 miles. If you drive a manual transmission, have the clutch adjusted every 6,000 miles. If you notice any of the following seven problems, there is an issue with your vehicle’s transmission that requires immediate attention.
1. Burning Odors
Burning odors coming from underneath your automobile could be a sign of a transmission problem or a malfunctioning catalytic converter. In the case of the transmission, it can overheat if the transmission fluid is dirty or too low. Replacing the fluid every 30,000 miles helps prevent this problem.
2. Dashboard Light
Your vehicle’s main computer chip will also turn on a dashboard warning light to let you know that the transmission is experiencing problems. In this case, the light that will turn on is the check engine light. The transmission is covered under this warning light when the chip receives an error code.
3. Fluid Leaks
Leaking transmission fluid will puddle on your garage floor underneath the center of your automobile. If the transmission fluid is in good shape, it will be red. If the transmission fluid is old and needs to be changed, it will be brown. Have the transmission fluid leak fixed as soon as possible.
4. Humming Noises
Generally, a transmission that is having problems will make humming noises when it is in neutral. This isn’t the only sound that a bad transmission will make. It will also clunk when you put it into gear or grind when it shifts the gears. Do not ignore these noises. They indicate a serious problem.
5. Shaking/Vibration
Another sign that your transmission needs to be serviced at a minimum is shaking or vibration when the transmission shifts the gears. You should not feel any major movement as the transmission shifts through the gear cycle. Rather, the movement will be subtle.
6. Slipping Gears
A transmission that is having problems might slip out of gear while you are driving. It may also hesitate to go into gear or to shift through the gear cycle. Finally, in some cases, faulty transmissions will actually skip gears in the gear cycle as it shifts automatically.
7. Unresponsiveness
If your transmission has become completely unresponsive, you won’t be able to get your vehicle into gear. And unresponsive transmission will also refuse to shift the gears when needed. Have your vehicle towed to our shop for a transmission service and repair.
C&C Automotive is the best auto service shop in town. Thankfully, we have plenty of shops from which you can choose. Visit our shops in Downtown or West Augusta, GA, or stop by our Martinez, GA, auto service shop. Those living in South Carolina can utilize our automotive services in Warrenville and Columbia.