Does My Car Need Transmission Repair?

Car owners know the steady hum of their working engine, and when something isn't quite right most will notice right away. However, taking the time to get the vehicle into a shop to be seen by a mechanic may take some extra work when you're working around a tight schedule. If you begin to suspect serious issues, it's imperative to get your vehicle into the shop as soon as possible, especially if it needs some transmission repair. One sign of possible trouble is difficulty shifting between gears. If your car tends to get stuck as you try and shift manually the fluid may be low or too thick, or the cables and clutch may need to be readjusted. Sometimes the gears begin slipping also, spontaneously popping out of gear when you least expect it. If you're beginning to find that the clutch won't free the gears when you try and shift, you may have a different problem with the cables and linkage items that connect the clutch to the gears. Fortunately, this transmission repair is relatively inexpensive when compared to some issues! Low transmission fluid can be detected by the sweet odor, which it puts off when it overheats. Once again, it may overheat due to lack of fluid, which causes the parts to overheat and literally burn away. If you begin to notice red or brown liquid leaking out below your car, you probably have a leak in the pipe. This is definitely not something to ignore. The fluid is designed to keep your car running smoothly by lubricating the parts and keeping the transmission cool. Once fluid is lost, it can begin to overheat and ultimately destroy this costly piece of equipment. Weird noises are the ultimate sign of trouble. Grinding gears during shifting, bumping sounds in neutral, whining and other unusual thumping noises indicate that it's time for a visit to the mechanics! For both manual and automatic transmissions, grinding and shaking as your car shifts is a pretty clear sign of transmission issues. Just play it safe when your car begins making unusual noises - take it to a trusted mechanic! Once your check engine light comes on, its time to have the engine checked - even if you just had your regular maintenance done! It may be a small issue that won't cause much damage, but it may also be related to a much needed transmission repair that can cause major problems if left untouched. In newer cars, sensors on your engine's computer can pick up problems before you even notice any of the side effects like weird noises or driving trouble. The mechanic who works on your car will be able to print out a sheet of issues the computer has detected. Mechanical issues with your car should not be taken lightly. Whether you recognize the need for transmission repair or you simply notice some weird noises, it's always best to err on the safe side and take your car to be inspected by a mechanic you trust.