5 Common Signs Your Car Needs Transmission Service

Without a functional transmission, your vehicle will not move, as the transmission is responsible for transferring the power from the engine to the wheels. You don’t want to let your transmission get to that point before getting it serviced, though, or you’ll end up stranded. Fortunately, there are quite a few common signs to tell you that your car needs transmission service.

Dashboard Warning Light

While not every vehicle has a specific warning light on its dashboard to indicate that your transmission needs to be serviced, most cars do have a light that will warn you that something is wrong with your vehicle and that it needs to get a diagnostic test right away to see what the problem is.

This is true for your transmission, as a “service engine soon” or “check engine” light will come on if your transmission is not working properly.

Metal-on-Metal Grinding Sound

If you start hearing a grinding or squealing sound when you shift, this is likely an indication that your vehicle is low on transmission fluid. The metal-on-metal grinding is actually the result of not having enough lubrication from the transmission fluid.

This is a situation that can occur in vehicles that have either an automatic or manual transmission, and if you hear it, you should bring your car into a repair center, such as your dealership, that services transmissions immediately.

Burnt Smell

You should never smell anything burning in your vehicle, and sometimes it can be hard to know what is causing the burnt smell. However, if this smell reminds you of paper burning, and it occurs when you shift, it could be a transmission problem.

If you have a manual transmission, it probably means you need a new clutch plate. For an automatic transmission, it’s a sign that the transmission fluid is overheating. Either way, you’re going to need service.

Late Shifting

This is an issue that will only occur in vehicles with automatic transmissions because the transmission is supposed to shift when it reaches certain RPMs. If your car is revving higher than normal between shifts, you need to add transmission fluid to your car.

You should not wait too long to get your vehicle into a service center because continued operation with late shifting will lead to a bigger, and more expensive, transmission problem.

Popping Out of Gear

Cars that have manual transmissions should not randomly pop out of gear, so if your vehicle is doing this, it is something that needs attention immediately. Not only is it causing a dangerous situation for you, but it also could be the sign of low transmission fluid, worn synchronizers, or shift linkage that has not been adjusted properly. In any case, you cannot allow this problem to continue for safety’s sake, as well as for your transmission’s sake.

In most cases, transmission problems can be fixed by adding transmission fluid or by replacing it with new, uncontaminated fluid. However, you can’t really tell how severe the issue is unless you get your vehicle serviced right away. So, if you’re seeing any of these signs, contact Cloninger Toyota today to schedule an appointment to have your transmission inspected by one of our experienced technicians.

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