The transmission in your vehicle is one of the most important things in your car, and it is what enables one engine to transfer its power to a wheel. Without it, your car will never be able to shift gears properly, and this leads to serious problems in driving.
Unfortunately, most drivers tend to ignore the warning signs and simply wait for the transmission to fail, at which point the car repair costs are quite high, or, in worst cases, the entire transmission will need to be replaced. Have a thorough checkup if you have a feeling that some problem is occurring with the car's transmission, and you will be prevented from incurring a lot of costs on repairs later.
This book will cover the symptoms that indicate that your car's transmission is calling out for an immediate assessment and explain why it is important to take action before it becomes worse.
Weird Sounds When Driving
Transmissions are designed to work fine and quietly in all situations. Any abnormal whining, humming, grinding, or clunking noises you hear while driving indicate that something is wrong.
Whining or humming may mean lower transmission fluid levels, worn bearings, or a problem with the torque converter.
Grinding noises accompanying a gear shift could indicate either wear issues in the transmission or a damaged clutch in a manual transmission. Clunking sounds occurring with a gear shift may point to an engagement issue with the transmission that might arise from worn gears or internal damage.
It's vital to catch problems early, as neglecting them could incur serious damage to the transmission.
Delayed or Slipping Gears
A delay in shifting gears or an unexpected slip in the gears is a clear indication of a problem in transmission. While slipping is occurring in the transmission, the car may feel as if it is suddenly changing gears or having trouble accelerating for no apparent reason.
Some common causes of slipping gears include:
- Low or dirty transmission fluid
- Worn-out clutch plates
- Wear and tear inside the transmission
This is particularly dangerous because it can result in loss of control while driving, especially at high speeds. Your transmission needs to be examined right away if it is having trouble staying in gear.
Burning Smell in Engine
The burning smell, while driving, is never a thing to be happy about, and more so, it can sometimes be a result of overheated transmission oil. Transmission oil serves to lubricate and cool internal components within the vehicle. When the oil gets overheated and breaks down, this loss of ability would result in friction and wear, damage that is quite serious.
Causes common to the problem include the following:
- Low transmission fluid level
- The wrong type of fluid
- Leakage of transmission fluid
- Clogging of the transmission filter
If you perceive a burning smell, stop driving immediately and look under the vehicle for fluid leaks. This warning could mean the complete failure of the transmission requiring expensive repairs or replacements.
Transmission Fluid Leak
The fluid in a transmission system equates to wood oil scientifically. If and when levels of transmission fluid run low under conditions of usual operation, such symptoms should be closely monitored; after all, with engine oil, it never is so. Noticing red or brown puddles under your vehicle is an indication of transmission fluid leaking, and repairs should be attended to immediately.
Common symptoms of a transmission fluid leak are:
- Low fluid level on the dipstick
- Slow gear engagement
- Overheating transmission
If left unattended, a leak could lead to severe internal damage, as the transmission would be operating without sufficient hydraulic fluid. Most transmission leaks occur because of worn seals or gaskets, or loose bolts on the transmission pan, all of which require timely car repairs.
Difficult or Rough Shifting
The transmission is in good health if it is able to shift between gears with smoothness without hindrances or roughness. If your vehicle jerks, shudders, or struggles while changing gears, there is probably an issue with the transmission system.
The most common causes of hard shifting include:
- Dirty or low transmission fluid
- Bad transmission sensors
- Broken Clutch, or gear syncs in a manual transmission
The issue makes driving uncomfortable and may even become dangerous at times when the transmission may suddenly refuse to shift at the proper moment. It's better to inspect your car’s transmission as soon as possible if changing gears feels strangely rough.
Dashboard Warning Light Considered as Check Engine Light and Transmission Light
These modern cars are designed with sensors that help monitor the entire system, including the performance of the transmission. Therefore, in case an individual notices that the Check Engine Light or Transmission Warning Light illuminates, it is a sign of malfunction within the car.
Flashing the heck engine light very often will suggest an overwhelming transmission problem that needs to be diagnosed by attendees.
A few kinds of vehicles have a dedicated transmission warning light, and this typically denotes an internal problem or overheating. It is best to turn to the car’s diagnostic system using an OBD-II scanner or take it to a trusted mechanic to determine the problem more accurately.
Why Immediate Transmission Repair Is Important.
Ignoring transmission problems can lead to a lot of damage and high repair costs. Worst of them, the complete failure of the vehicle. From simple car troubles, the transmission failure reflects the overall drivability. Your car simply becomes unsafe to drive.
Some benefits of timely transmission repairs are:
Avoid expensive replacements- A repair of a minor fault in the transmission system now may cost you thousands of dirhams less during repairs.
Ensure safe driving- A failing transmission may interrupt power at times or slip into another increasing the likelihood of accidents as the driver may not be ready for unexpected driving conditions.
Fuel Efficiency- A well-sealed or maintained transmission will help the engine function smoothly, thereby reducing the amount of fuel consumed.
Lengthen the lifespan of your car- Running effectively for many years to come will keep the proper transmission care.
Conclusion
The transmission of your car is one of the most vital parts of the vehicle. Therefore, any indication of its failure is something that should not be ignored. Strange noises, slipping gears, fluid leakage, or rough shifting always indicate something wrong in the transmission, which now requires the urgent attention of a technician. This will prevent costly breakdowns and keep the car safe and reliable.
If you are dealing with any issue in your transmission, then it is high time to visit the service station and not wait until the situation goes beyond. FixAnyCar.ae offers professional services and repairs your transmission with a fast diagnosis and repair. Contact us today and book an inspection to prevent further inconvenience from using your car on UAE roads! 🚗💨