Transmission or Check Engine Light Illuminates
This is probably the most obvious sign that you need to have your transmission checked out. If your car has a transmission light, that will tell you that you have a transmission issue right away. If you only have a check engine light, you’ll need to take your car in to be diagnosed. However, you don’t want to gamble that the check engine light isn’t signaling a severe issue. Get it in right away to rule out a transmission problem.
Late Shifting
A properly functional transmission will allow you to shift smoothly into gear at the right RPMs. If your car isn’t allowing you to shift to gear until a much higher RPM than normal, or it isn’t shifting at all, this is an indication of a transmission issue. Often, delayed shifting can be traced to a worn-out clutch, but you still want to have your vehicle inspected by a professional immediately so the shifting problem doesn’t become worse.
Burning Smell
When you’re driving a car, a burning smell is almost never good. In the case of a transmission problem, it can be a downright disaster. If your transmission is low on transmission fluid, it will overheat and burn, causing the smell in your car. In turn, this leads to your engine running at too high of a temperature, which can cause your engine’s parts to wear out much earlier than they should. Burning smells should always be checked out immediately.
Vibrations
It is not normal for your car to vibrate or shake when it shifts. This should happen seamlessly without you feeling it or even noticing it in most cases. In a manual situation, you should be able to shift between gears smoothly. Vibrations can simply mean that your clutch needs to be replaced or adjusted, but it could also be a symptom of a bigger problem with your transmission. Either way, you should have your car inspected soon.
Gears Are Slipping
Gears should only change with input from the driver. If you have a manual transmission, you tell it when to shift gears. If you have an automatic transmission, you still give input by putting the car in drive, neutral, or reverse. When a transmission acts on its own, it’s referred to as gear slipping and can be a very dangerous situation, since you will not be able to predict when this is going to happen.
Fluid Leak
Leaking fluids is another bad sign because fluids should remain inside the vehicle at all times. If you notice a red or brownish colored fluid under your vehicle when it’s parked, you probably have a transmission fluid leak. While you can add fluid to temporarily fix the issue, you will want to get your car into a service center to have your transmission re-sealed to repair it permanently.
Transmissions are a critical component of any vehicle, so if you recognize any of the above signs, it’s time to get your car into a service center for a transmission inspection. Contact DARCARS INFINITI of Greenwich today to schedule an appointment.
Photo by INFINITI
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