The transmission is one of the most common areas of a car that needs fixing. That’s because it’s such an important part of the machine and the engine. As well as this, there’s quite a lot that could go wrong here. That’s the bad news. The good news is that typically, there will be a sign that there’s a problem. If you catch it early, you should be able to repair your transmission, rather than replacing it completely. That’s going to work out a lot cheaper and will save you a lot of hassle. It will also limit how long the car is off the road for. That can be important for drivers who
rely on their cars and vehicles for work. Here are the biggest signs that you need to watch out for and what they could mean.
Gears A No Go
If you have difficulty getting your car to go into gear, there’s probably something wrong with your transmission. Or, you might have just burned out the clutch. You can wear out the clutch by riding it too often. Or, keeping it at the bite when you’re stopped, rather than taking the car out of gear and braking. Usually, this means that there is low transmission fluid, and that’s not a serious problem. It just needs topping up. At this stage, you’ll still be able to get your car in gear. It will just take a few tries. Remember, for the most part; a car should slide effortlessly into each gear.
Noisy Engine
Unless you have recently bought a clunker, your car transmission should not sound like there's a box of tools rattling around in your bonnet. If you do find that your car is making the noise of metal clanging together, even when your car isn’t in gear, get it checked out. Take it to a
transmission shop and get them to diagnose the issue. This commonly means that parts such as bearings have worn away. It’s quite a serious issue and can mean that your car is no longer road safe.
You’ve Sprung A Leak
A wet patch underneath your car on the driveway doesn’t always point to bad news. It could be water running down from your car after building up somewhere. However, a large, heavy wet patch could mean your transmission fluid is leaking. The transmission fluid is important for ensuring you can shift between different gears. If you’re having a problem doing this, that’s probably the culprit. Your car will still be drivable, but it won’t be much fun on the road. On Manual cars, it can be difficult to check the transmission. It involves a little skill in the mechanic area, so if you have any doubt, it’s best to leave the job to a professional.
Check Your Engine!
Lastly, there is a simple sign that there is a problem with your transmission.
Your check engine light will pop up on the dashboard. If it goes away after a short period, there’s probably nothing wrong with your car. It’s when it stays there permanently that you need to start paying attention.
