The Anatomy of Healthy Cars: A Service and Repair Blog

5 Warning Signs of a Failing Auto Transmission

by Brittany Marshall

These days, almost every car manufacturer offers cars with automatic transmissions. These cars have created incredible convenience for drivers, both professional and amateur because they automatically select gears while driving. They're a boon to drivers, especially while driving in stop-start traffic.

While auto transmissions have become so popular in today's car industry, they're not wear-proof. Over time, they can get damaged and require repair service to run in peak condition again.

The good news is that the signs of a failing auto transmission can be identified and looked into before it's too late. This helps avoid potential vehicle breakdowns that may be too expensive to repair.

Automatic transmissions are intricate vehicle systems, but watching out for the following warning signs can help know when you have a failing one.

1. Slipping Transmission

Your auto transmission should change gears at the right speeds and stay in the same gear when you're travelling at a constant speed. If yours starts slipping in and out of gears before the next required gear shift, this is a clear sign that you have a faulty transmission.

2. Delayed Gear Engagement

When your transmission is working correctly, it should kick into gear as soon as it is shifted. If yours takes a little while before it engages, you should have it checked for problems. 

3. Transmission Fluid Leaks

Like their manual cousins, automatic transmissions require transmission oil to work properly. A loss of transmission oil due to leaking spells doom for your transmission. If you spot a puddle under your car and establish that the oil is leaking, you should get the problem fixed right away.

4. Ineffective Transmission Fluid

As part of normal vehicle maintenance, the oil flowing in your transmission needs to be flushed out periodically and replaced with new oil. If you check the oil and notice that it has turned dark in color, you should get it removed and replaced before it results in serious transmission damage.

5. Burning Smell

A burning odour coming from your transmission is never a good sign, as it often indicates that your transmission is overheating. This may be due to a variety of factors including leaking or ineffective transmission fluid.

Keeping your transmission running at its peak is crucial to maximise the performance and lifespan of your car. If you notice any of the above-highlighted signs of auto transmission problems, don't hesitate to get your vehicle checked and repaired at an auto transmission repair facility near you.

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