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Top 5 Signs There’s a Problem With Your Transmission

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What Are The Signs Of A Bad Transmission?

An automobile comprises hundreds of thousands of parts and components that are combined into a single ecosystem. Of all the major systems that make up an automobile, the transmission is among the most important and least understood. Modern automatic transmission (manuals are becoming rare) is more reliable than ever before. However, things can go wrong, and people need to know the top five signs of a transmission problem. Drivers who experience any of these issues should make an appointment at the Budds’ Chevy Service Department immediately. Let’s take a look at a few other things people might want to know.

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How Will I Know My Transmission Is Failing?

It is very rare for a modern automatic transmission to fail without warning. Small signs will start to crop up to provide the driver with clues that something is wrong. The following are some of the most critical signs that their transmission is going bad, and they need to make an appointment with the Budds’ Chevy Service Department right away.

  1. Delayed Gear Changes — As an automobile accelerates, its gears should change at regular intervals. A struggling transmission will have irregular intervals or just not leave its current gear. There are a few reasons this could be happening, including being low on transmission fluid.
  2. Burning Smell — There is no scenario when the smell of something burning inside an automobile is a good sign. Fresh transmission fluid shouldn’t smell like much of anything, maybe a little sweet. However, burning transmission fluid has been described as something like burnt toast. This is a significant problem and could lead to a catastrophic transmission failure, leading to thousands of dollars in repairs.
  3. Leaking Fluid — All leaking automotive fluids are a sign that something is wrong. Transmission fluid will appear red to dark brown on the ground – depending on how fresh it is. Because the transmission is a closed system, any liquid on the ground means fluid must be replaced. However, it is also essential to repair the source of the leak before a failure happens.
  4. Grinding/Shaking — An automatic transmission should change gears smoothly and predictably. A metal-on-metal grinding sound is a very bad sign and requires an immediate phone call to a qualified repair facility like Budds’ Chevy. Additionally, if shaking can be felt when the gears change, this is also a significant problem that needs to be examined as soon as possible. 
  5. Slipping Gears — The most common sign a transmission is in distress is slipping gears. When gears slip, the driver will notice any of the following symptoms:
  • Delayed acceleration
  • Burning fluid smells (see above)
  • High engine RPM
  • Check engine light activates
  • Strange noises

You should never ignore any of these signs of a failing transmission. Not only could you be left stranded on the side of the road, but you could also be in for thousands of dollars of otherwise unnecessary repair bills. Make an appointment with the Budds’ Chevy Buick GMC Service Department, today, if you need help.