You might not give much thought to your transmission fluid, but it’s doing an important job. First, it keeps your transmission’s interior parts lubricated, which is essential. But it also keeps the transmission cool so that it can keep running. Allman’s Automotive wants you to know what it looks, feels, and sounds like when your transmission fluid needs to be changed.
The Transmission Isn’t Shifting Smoothly
When you’re driving along, either in an automatic or a manual transmission car, the shifting should be smooth and easy. If you’re having trouble getting a manual transmission into gear or you’re hearing sounds that indicate that your automatic isn’t shifting properly, that’s a problem. It means that there’s something the transmission needs that it isn’t getting, and that’s probably lubrication from the transmission fluid.
You’re Hearing Noises from the Transmission
As you’re assessing whether you’ve got an issue with your transmission, sit in park with the car idling. If you’re sitting still and you’re hearing grinding or clunking noises from the rear of the car, that’s likely coming from the transmission. You might also feel some extra vibrations that you normally don’t feel when the car is idling.
There’s No Acceleration When You Hit the Gas
The transmission’s job is to take the power that your car’s engine generates and transfer it to the wheels via the driveshaft. When the transmission isn’t working properly for whatever reason, the engine is still making power, but none of that is getting to the wheels. That means your engine might rev when you hit the gas, but you don’t actually move any faster or farther.
You’re Smelling Burnt Transmission Fluid or Spotting a Puddle
Transmission fluid tends to smell a bit sweet, but when it hits something hot it smells burnt. Since the transmission is in the rear of the car, transmission fluid that leaks tends to land on hot parts. If the transmission itself is also overheating, that just adds to the problem. Noticing a puddle of reddish fluid under the back of your car? That means you’ve got a transmission leak.
If you’re not sure when you last had your transmission fluid changed or even checked, you might be overdue. Contact Allman’s Automotive in Groveland, MA today. We can take a look at your car’s transmission and make sure that it’s in good working order. And if the fluid needs to be changed out, we can handle that for you, too.