Symptoms Your Automatic Transmission May Need Service
Hard or Abrupt Shifting
You are used to smooth shifting from your automatic transmission. If you hear grinding or notice slipping as your car shifts gears, it will likely worsen with use. This is a severe problem, and putting off repairing it may cause more damage.
Transmission Slow to Engage; Whining Noise
If engagement is delayed when you place the shifter into drive, it may mean a serious problem or something we can quickly fix. A whining or clunking noise may indicate worn internal parts or contaminated fluid. A transmission fluid exchange and a new filter may remedy your problem at a low cost.
Burning Smell
Overheated fluid is the usual reason for a burning smell from an automatic transmission. Transmission fluid protects and lubricates this expensive and complex system. The cause of overheating may be a low transmission fluid level. A leak is the most likely culprit because, unlike your engine, an automatic transmission doesn’t burn fluid. Another reason for the burning smell is that the wrong fluid type may have been added to the transmission.
Gears Slipping
Modern cars have computer-controlled transmissions. You are used to smooth shifting because the computer regulates the throttle during shifts. An automatic transmission that slips out of gear is a serious safety problem. This problem may require a computer chip replacement.
Low or Leaking Transmission Fluid
If you have red fluid on your driveway, it is likely automatic transmission fluid (ATF). A leak will eventually result in a low fluid level, overheating, and burning fluid. A leak can be a low-cost fix to replace a perished gasket or rubber hose.
Check Engine Light Is On
The “Check Engine” light is not just for your engine. The light can specify something wrong in various systems. The modern automatic transmission has sensors to send signals to the central computer of a malfunctioning part; then, the check engine light alerts you that there is a problem. We have the same diagnostic computers as the factory technicians. We can go straight to the cause of the problem and only replace those parts that need replacing. We do not simply throw parts at a problem until we find the right one. Early detection may allow us to fix it when the solution is inexpensive.
We find many automatic transmission problems could have been headed off by on-time scheduled service. Visit our website or call us for a quote on preventative maintenance or repairs on your transmission. We have dedicated experts anxious to get you on the road without delay.
