Transmissions are units that consist of many shafts, gears, levers, and components. Transmissions, whether manual or automatic, are complex and have many different designs. If your vehicle's transmission is having issues, it will most likely give you several warning signs before it is damaged and needs to be repaired. It is important for you to take these warning signs seriously because a badly-damaged transmission can lead you to needing a transmission replacement done for your vehicle.

Burning Odors

Your vehicle's transmission may present a burning smell when its transmission fluid needs to be changed. However, if your vehicle is equipped with a manual transmission, the transmission can also produce a burning smell if you are burning its clutch while you are driving. Any foul smells that come from your vehicle's transmission, whether the transmission is automatic or manual, are signs that your vehicle's transmission needs to be serviced.

Grinding Gears

The transmission of your vehicle should always shift smoothly during gear changes. If you notice that the gears in the transmission are grinding against one another, something that you will both hear and feel, then something is preventing the gears from mating properly. You will need to have your vehicle's transmission serviced if you notice this, as continuing to drive your vehicle will also damage the gears in its transmission while allowing the original problem to worsen.

Strange Sounds

As you drive your vehicle, if its transmission is damaged, you may hear humming sounds, clunking sounds, or whining sounds. None of these sounds are good sounds for your vehicle's transmission to make and are signs that something is wrong with the transmission. Thudding sounds, for example, are signs that the gears in the transmission may be hitting against one another. Have your vehicle serviced if you hear abnormal sounds from its transmission.

Leaking Transmission Fluid

Automatic transmission and manual transmissions both utilize transmission fluid to help their gears glide against one another. Additionally, transmission fluid creates hydraulic pressure in a transmission to allow the gears to shift. If your vehicle's transmission is leaking, then it is also losing the pressure that it needs to properly shift. The transmission will also be losing the fluid that allows it to stay cool and clean, as transmission fluid provides cooling and cleaning functions in addition to lubrication for the transmission. Have your vehicle serviced immediately if you continually notice a light red fluid on the ground after you move your vehicle. 

C & S Subaru

812 Washington St
Directions Waterloo, IA 50702

  • Sales: 319-284-8146
  • Service: 319-284-8145
  • Parts: 319-284-8144

Hours

  • Monday 08:30am - 07:00pm
  • Tuesday 08:30am - 07:00pm
  • Wednesday 08:30am - 07:00pm
  • Thursday 08:30am - 07:00pm
  • Friday 08:30am - 06:00pm
  • Saturday 08:30am - 06:00pm
  • Sunday Closed

Slipping Gears

An automatic transmission that needs to be serviced may hesitate between gear shifts or refuse to stay in certain gears. Known as gear slipping, a transmission may go into a gear and immediately shift to another gear, when a vehicle is at a constant speed, if it is damaged. Gear slipping can prevent your vehicle from accelerating properly and can also make your vehicle dangerous to drive.

 

Hesitation

If your vehicle is equipped with an automatic transmission and you notice that the transmission is hesitating when you switch the vehicle's gear lever from "park" to "drive", then something is wrong with the vehicle's transmission. When you shift between gears in your vehicle, the transmission's response should be immediate. If there is hesitation from the vehicle's transmission between gear shifts, have your vehicle inspected and serviced so that the issue can be identified and repaired.


Check Engine Light

A faulty transmission may trigger a check engine light in your vehicle. While this isn't the case for every vehicle, many vehicles will alert drivers when their transmissions need to be serviced. If you see a yellow light in the shape of an engine illuminate on the gauge cluster of your vehicle, then have the vehicle scanned. A scan will provide a code for the check engine light, which will in turn allow you to figure out what is going on with your vehicle. Check engine lights illuminate for numerous reasons, so have the code read immediately if your vehicle's check engine light turns on.
 

Conclusion

Transmission repairs are complex and can be expensive. Transmission replacements are also expensive and time-consuming. To avoid needing either of these services, make sure to have your vehicle's transmission routinely inspected and maintained. Additionally, if you ever notice any of these warning signs, bring your vehicle in for a transmission service. Being proactive with your vehicle will ultimately help you to save both time and money. Feel free to visit us at C&S Subaru if you would like us to inspect your vehicle for you or would like us to service your vehicle's transmission.