Your car’s transmission is responsible for helping you shift in and out of various gears, making it an integral component of the vehicle. Although not all unusual behavior is cause for concern, there are a few transmission problems that should be addressed as soon as possible. Here are the top three potential transmission problems that you can’t ignore.
- Slipping Gears
You should take note if your car seems to change gears for no apparent reason while you drive. Sudden whining engine noises or a change in pitch can indicate that something is in need of attention. You may also feel like your car isn’t accelerating as it should, is less powerful than usual, or seems to be struggling when you go uphill. Another warning sign is a spike in your RPM. This is generally a problem with automatic transmissions and can be caused by anything from low levels of transmission fluid to worn-out clutches. When you start to notice this problem, it’s important to have an inspection by a professional so that you can determine exactly what the issue is, why it’s happening, and how it may be addressed. A slipping transmission doesn’t necessarily mean that your car is in serious trouble, but it does indicate that some sort of maintenance or repair may be necessary.
- Difficulty Shifting
Do you notice difficulty shifting gears? Rough shifting may not be noticeable at first, but over time your car can develop shuddering or jerks while shifting, obvious delays between gears, or resistance to gear changes. With manual transmissions, if you get no response from the car at all when you try to change gear, that could indicate a significant problem with your clutch. Rough shifting, noises, and delays can occur in both manual and automatic transmissions, although noises are more likely to occur with manual vehicles, and delays are more common in automatics. These symptoms can indicate a variety of possible issues and should be checked out as soon as possible.
- Warning Lights
Take warning lights seriously. If your dashboard tells you to “check engine,” then that usually means your car’s computer is generating a warning code that auto shop professionals can use to determine what the issue is. Not all warning lights will mean that you have a transmission problem, but you shouldn’t discount them, especially not if you notice them in conjunction with other symptoms of transmission trouble, such as rough shifting, delays, or slipping gears.
Contact Us
At Sun Devil Auto, we want to help you get the best possible performance from your car, which is why we offer a wide variety of transmission repair and maintenance services. Contact us today if you’ve noticed any of these warning signs.
