How to Tell When Your Car Is Having Transmission Problems

A healthy transmission is as important to a vehicle as its engine. It’s the transmission’s job to multiply engine torque to send power to the wheels in response to varying gear and speed ratios. It’s a big job but one that most drivers take for granted simply because the transmission is so good at doing what it’s designed to do. Luckily, there are some telltale signs that you’re having transmission problems and need maintenance at Toyota of Kingsport in Kingsport, TN.

Slipping Gears

Slipping gears is a serious safety hazard. To avoid a potentially disastrous situation, recognizing when your vehicle isn’t holding gears is imperative. If your car is not responding, or slipping between gears when you’ve not intended it to do so, you need to have it serviced immediately.

Noisy in Neutral

If you’ve never really put your car into neutral, try it. It should sound pretty much like the other gears; that is, it shouldn’t sound like anything at all. If, when you put the car into neutral, there is a bumping or clunking sound, or possibly an independent shaking, there is likely an issue with your transmission fluid. If gone untreated, this warning sign could become more serious.

The Smell of Burnt Rubber

A burning smell is never good, whether at home, at work, or in your car. Any burning smell should be investigated immediately. If you notice an odor similar to burnt rubber after you’ve turned off your engine and exited the vehicle, it is likely caused by your transmission fluid overheating and burning any debris that may have contaminated the fluid. If gone unattended, smoke will eventually accompany the smell and you’ll have a much worse problem on your hands.

Transmission Fluid Leak

When transmission fluid is low, contaminated, or overheated, it will set into motion many of these signs mentioned here. But a fluid leak will be the easiest to diagnose as you can see it with your own eyes. If a puddle forms on the pavement or garage floor under your parked car, investigate it. If it is red or brown, it’s transmission fluid and the leak must be fixed without delay.

Check Engine Lights

We mostly expect the check engine lights to illuminate only for engine problems, but it may also light up when a transmission issue is detected. Often we, as drivers, put off having our car serviced when that light comes on simply because we completely forget about it when the vehicle is turned off. But ignoring a service light can make a small issue into a large one. Your vehicle’s sensors are designed to catch issues; it’s our job to listen.

We get it, it’s hard to make time to bring your car in to have it looked at. But we know that delaying service only exacerbates problems that could have been solved with a simple fluid flush or computer check. Schedule an appointment at Toyota of Kingsport’s service center today to let us make sure your car is running smoothly!

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