In our last post, we helped you make sure your car is ready for winter. This time we’re focusing on one repair that you don’t want to deal with at any time of the year, but especially not in the winter. That would be transmission repair. Your transmission is how your engine changes gears and it is an essential part of the car, whether you drive a manual or automatic transmission. If your transmission is severely damaged, you won’t be able to drive your car at all, which is not a position you want to be stuck in during the winter.
Here are four signs that your car needs a transmission repair.
Leaking or Low Transmission Fluid
Your transmission needs transmission fluid to run properly, so you want to have a leak fixed right away. If you see a puddle underneath your car, it could be a number of fluids from your car (and you don’t want any of them to be leaking). But transmission fluid is pretty easy to identify. It smells sweet and is red in color. You should avoid driving your car if the transmission fluid is leaking. Have it towed to a trusted mechanic as soon as possible.
Slipping or Delayed Gear Shifts
The job of the transmission is to switch gears. So if it’s struggling to do that, you definitely need a transmission repair. However, trouble switching gears is usually an easy fix. More often than not, you’re just low on transmission fluid. Although if it’s not the transmission fluid, it could be something more severe. Worn-out parts could be causing the problem, or if it’s a manual transmission, you might need to replace the clutch.
A Burning Smell
Even if the engine isn’t smoking, a burning smell is never a good sign. If you smell something like burnt rubber, it could be your transmission. If the transmission gets old, it can start to burn. Anything burning in your engine is a problem, and you should get it checked out right away.
Grinding or Clunking Noises
Most car issues start with a sound that you’ve never heard before. With your transmission, the first sounds you might hear are humming or whining noises. You should always have a mechanic take a look if your car starts making new noises. If those noises change into grinding or clunking noises, it’s a good chance that your transmission is the problem.
