Your car’s transmission mostly takes care of itself, especially when the transmission fluid is in good shape. But there are some warning signs that you should heed when the transmission does need your attention, and L&D Automotive is here to help.
You’re Hearing Bad Sounds from the Transmission
Normally you probably don’t hear much out of your car’s transmission, so if those sounds change or increase, that’s a big warning sign. You might start to hear clunking, grinding, whining, or humming sounds. They’ll sound as if they’re behind you a bit, because the transmission is in the back of the car. Any changes in how your car’s transmission sounds need to be checked out to rule out problems.
Or the Transmission Isn’t Responding Properly
Maybe you’re not hearing noises yet, but the transmission just doesn’t feel right. It could be that you’re feeling hesitation or jumping when you press the accelerator. If you drive a manual transmission car, you might find that it’s tougher to get the car into the proper gear when you shift. All of this is a sign that there’s something not quite right in the transmission.
You Spotted a Leak
Ideally, your transmission fluid is going to stay put in the transmission itself. So if you’ve got a transmission fluid leak anywhere, that needs to be addressed. This is true even if the transmission fluid still looks pretty clear and has a reddish-brown tint to it. Your car’s transmission really can’t afford to lose any transmission fluid at all, so a leak is bad news.
All of the Above, Plus You’ve Got the Check Engine Light
Some of the issues described above might be intermittent enough that you can convince yourself that there isn’t really a problem or that all is well. That’s not a great idea, but it’s understandable, especially when life is distracting enough. But if you’re seeing or hearing any of the above signs and your car’s dashboard suddenly shows you the check engine light, it’s really important to get your transmission and the fluid inside it inspected right away.
Noticing trouble with your car’s transmission or transmission fluid? Call us right away at L&D Automotive in Lavon, TX to set up a time to bring your car in. We’ll get to the bottom of what’s going on with your car’s transmission and let you know exactly what it needs in order to function properly again.