Why Do Transmissions Go Bad?

One of the reasons why it’s important for you to stay on top of regular maintenance with your car is to prevent some potentially severe transmission issues from occurring and hopefully prevent transmission replacement. Any vehicle having transmission problems, particularly slipping transmission, should stay off the road in Madison, TN, because there are some significant safety concerns associated with this condition. A vehicle with a bad transmission could spontaneously shift into different gears, which could cause you to lose control of your vehicle.

If the transmission begins to slip, you need to prioritize repairs as soon as you can get them. Transmission problems can rapidly escalate to the point where it will not work at all, and your vehicle will not be drivable. Worst case scenario your clutch goes out, and you need a clutch replacement. Here’s a quick overview of some of the symptoms you should watch for:

• Strange smells: Transmissions have their own fluid used to lubricate the transmission and keep the gears spinning smoothly. After a certain mileage, the fluid can start to leak or burn in the transmission. Red fluid leaking underneath your vehicle, or unusual smells coming from your car could be a sign that you need transmission service. A failure to act when you notice these symptoms could result in you blowing your transmission, so do not delay when you become aware of these issues.
• Warning light: Today’s vehicles will have sensors in place that will alert you if you are low on transmission fluid, if the fluid is burning out or if the temperature in your transmission is rising substantially. This will cause the “check engine” light to turn on. Now, when the check engine light comes on, you aren’t going to immediately know what the problem is without the assistance of a professional who can scan the diagnostic code it produces, so it’s important to get your vehicle in for service as soon as you can when you notice this.
• Slipping: In both an automatic and manual transmission, there is still a clutch system that is designed to separate and engage new gears. This system will start to wear down over time, and as a result, your transmission could start to slip when you’re changing into the next gear. This could be caused by a low fluid pressure (a result of low levels of fluid, bad pumps or clogged filters). Over time, these issues will continue to worsen until the transmission seizes up entirely. This is why it’s important for you to take immediate action if you notice symptoms of transmission slipping.
• Grinding and other unusual noises: Strange noises and grinding sounds should always be a warning sign to drivers. With automatic transmissions, you’re likely to hear buzzing, whining or unusually loud humming, beyond what you hear in normal vehicle operations. Manual transmissions might experience grinding noises and vibrations when you shift gears.

Why do engines and transmissions go bad? For more information about why transmissions go bad and the steps you should take as a vehicle owner in Madison, TN to keep your transmission in good condition, we encourage you to contact the team at Rivergate Muffler & Auto Repair the next time you need a reputable transmission repair shop.

Categorised in: Transmission

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