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7 Signs Your Automatic Transmission is Going Bad

While some people still drive manual (aka “standard”) transmission vehicles, the vast majority of cars and trucks are now equipped with automatic transmissions. Once upon a time, an automatic transmission was considered a luxury feature, but nowadays it’s the standard.

The transmission delivers the power generated by your engine to your wheels. It’s filled with gears, each gear performing a different function. As you shift through them, you access their abilities. Some are good for low-speed driving while others optimize your gas mileage.

The transmission is located at the back of the engine, although its precise location within the vehicle depends on where the engine is placed. While most engines have their belts facing the front, some cars and trucks have a sideways mounted engine. If that’s yours, the transmission is actually closer to the front of the vehicle.

Preventative maintenance is imperative to the longevity of your automatic transmission. If you aren’t careful, you could find yourself dealing with one of these problems.

1. Rough Shifting

In all vehicles, whether manual or automatic, shifting should be a smooth process. The automobile shouldn’t shudder, clank, or jerk when you shift gears. Rough shifting, however, doesn’t have to be a sign of something gone horribly wrong. It may mean that you’re just low on hydraulic fluid or your transmission fluid is old or too dirty.

2. Banging Noises

If you hear any banging or clunking noises when the gears shift, something is loose inside the transmission. It could also be a sign that something is off regarding the transmission timing. The first thing to try would be changing the fluid, but your mechanic may have to look into it.

Often, this is a sign of an old transmission that’s run its course.

3. Hesitation When Shifting Gears or Getting Into Gear

Needless to say, you likely have a nasty problem going on when your transmission takes its time getting into gear or moving through the cycle. It can sometimes feel like your truck or car is fighting you when you try and get it in gear, and sometimes this hesitation is accompanied by clunking sounds. If you can’t get it into drive or reverse easily, it’s time to see the mechanic.

4. Slipping Gears

In an automatic transmission, a failing transmission can result in your gears slipping out and then correcting themselves. You’ll be driving, and all of a sudden, you lose power momentarily.

This could be a simple problem with the transmission fluid, but it can also mean that your transmission gears are old and worn. It’s best to see a mechanic and minimize the repair bill before the problem worsens.

5. Check Engine Light Is On

While some vehicles have a separate light just for the transmission, one of the things the check engine light in most vehicles does is keep tabs on the transmission. While you need to see the check engine light’s actual code to know for sure if the problem lies in your automatic transmission or something else, be warned that a check engine light, especially in tandem with these other symptoms, is a strong indicator that something is up with your transmission.

6. Leaking Transmission Fluid

You really don’t want leaking transmission fluid, as it can cause major problems in your automatic transmission. The transmission fluid is similar to your motor oil, in this case lubricating your automatic transmission’s parts and drawing heat, dirt, and grime away. It’s also hydraulic, allowing your car or truck to shift through gears smoothly.

Leaking fluid is a reddish-brown color, and when it leaks, it pools underneath your vehicle near the center.

7. You Smell Burning

You shouldn’t smell burning anyway, but you definitely shouldn’t smell burning coming from your transmission. This means that something is literally burning inside of it and you need to bring it to a mechanic ASAP. You’ll need a transmission flush to fix the problem, and maybe even a rebuild or complete replacement of your automatic transmission.

Why Maintenance is Important

Think about this. It can cost several thousand dollars to replace the transmission. Granted, you usually won’t have to replace the entire transmission in your vehicle, and even major problems can usually be repaired with a rebuild.

However, even those average around $2,500, so it’s still quite costly.

For this reason, you need to make sure your vehicle gets regular maintenance. Even something as simple as catching problems in the sensors can save your automatic transmission. An ounce of prevention, as they say, is worth a pound of cure.

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