I still remember the day that I bought my first car. I thought it was the most perfect vehicle in the world, and I vowed to care for it diligently. Unfortunately, within a few days I had forgotten about my promise, and I started tossing fast food wrappers in the back like everyone else. After awhile I realized that neglecting my car was turning the inside into a garbage pit, and I decided to learn how to take better care of my vehicle. I took a class on auto detailing, and it really helped me to turn things around. I want to teach you what I learned, so you should read this blog.
A defective transmission is one of the last things that any person wants to have to deal with, as it is not only time-consuming, but it is also quite expensive. If you know what to watch out for, you can catch the warning signs of a failing transmission early on and remedy the issue before it becomes a major and costly problem. Here are three signs that you have an automatic transmission that is trying to go out on you:
Dirty or Dark Transmission Fluid
Like most fluids in your vehicle, transmission fluid is not going to last forever. It will eventually need to be changed so that it can continue to properly coat the clutches and gears so that your vehicle can operate efficiently. You will need to check the fluid on a regular basis (such as monthly) so that you can tell when it requires changing. When it looks dirty or becomes a dark brown or even a black-ish color, you will know it's time for some new fluid, as these are signs of contamination from dirt or metal. If the fluid has a burnt smell to it, this is a red flag as well.
Low Fluid Levels
As you check your fluid regularly, you will also want to pay attention to how much fluid is there. If the levels are low, you will need to add more transmission fluid. More often than not, you will notice signs of low levels before you ever check. These include issues with shifting, shaking, slipping, overheating and possibly even complete transmission failure, depending on just how low the fluid levels are. Keep in mind that if the fluid levels are indeed low, it could be a sign that you have a leak, which leads you to the next problem on this list.
Signs of Leaks
You will notice signs of leaks around the transmission lines and seals as well as faulty gaskets or loose pans. However, if you're not under the hood or your vehicle often, you may not notice these issues. Luckily, the one red flag that you will likely notice is the pool of transmission fluid that is leaking beneath your car on the pavement. When you notice this, you can then pop the hood and start inspecting the components of the transmission to find the defective part so that it can be replaced either by yourself or a professional transmission service technician. The sooner you find the leak, the less fluid you will have to continue buying and replacing.
Share13 June 2016
