There are a couple of common problems that occur when dealing with automatic transmissions, including fluid leaks and low fluid levels.
You may notice a puddle of transmission fluid, often red in color, on your garage floor or driveway. If you don’t notice that, you may feel the transmission is slow to engage a drive gear or shifts sluggishly into higher gears. These are two signs that your transmission fluid is low, which can often be traced to a leak. Transmission fluid can also wear out over time and does need to be replaced.
Some other warning signs include unusual noises like a whine or buzz, shifting harshly into the next gear (instead of engaging smoothly), or even slipping out of gear while driving. If you hear a grinding noise from the transition, it could mean the bearings have failed which then allows metal-to-metal contact between parts that are NOT supposed to rub against each other.
A few vehicles have transmission-warning lights that light up when the computer senses a problem, however on many cars, the transmission is linked to the same computer that controls the engine, which is the powertrain control module. The end result could be the check engine light illuminating when you have a transmission issue.
If you use your vehicle to tow or haul heavy loads, you’re making the transmission work harder which can cause it to overheat. This will often trigger a warning light, however if you smell something burning, it could be an overheated transmission. If you use your vehicle to do a lot of towing or heavy hauling, give us a call at (989) 781-4307 and we can discuss some options to cool your transmission.
If you have any questions or concerns about your transmission, please don’t hesitate to call Stroebel Automotive at (989) 781-4307. We would be more than happy to help!