Car Transmission Problems and Symptoms

One of the most important parts of a car's powertrain is the transmission. The transmission relays engine energy to the differential through a system of gears to increase speed and torque.  A manual transmission requires the driver to use a clutch to switch gears. With an automatic transmission, the gear changes are automatically done and do not require a driver for every shift change. A few symptoms may arise with the transmission with time.

Noise

A properly functioning vehicle should shift silently. Different noises can determine where a problem may lie.  Make note of any grinding, humming, and buzzing noises and when they occurred. It is good to know if the noise happened when accelerating or when changing into reverse or park. This can help diagnose the problem further.

Shift Malfunctions

The gear should shift instantaneously. If it delays, there may be a problem. Pay attention to how long the engine keeps going after taking your foot off the gas. Sometimes the vehicle may shift out of gear suddenly while driving. Jumping out of gear is another definite sign of transmission trouble. This can mean broken links between the gears. If not resolved, the transmission may not shift at all.

Leaks

A reddish fluid underneath the car may mean transmission fluid is leaking.  If there seems to be a leak, put transmission fluid into the car daily until the issue can be fixed. The car transmission may stop altogether without transmission fluid.

Color

It is a good idea to check the transmission fluid on a regular basis. This is easily done by pulling out the transmission dipstick and wiping the edge of it three times on a napkin or piece of paper. The fluid should be a clear red color. There may be a problem if the fluid is murky and dark.  If the transmission fluid odor is reminiscent of burnt oil, this may be a problem as well.