Your transmission is an integral part of your car, as the transmission is what allows your engine to switch gears while driving. A damaged or broken transmission can have a huge effect on the amount of control that you have over your vehicle's speed. In fact, a damaged transmission can even leave you stranded on the side of the road.

Understanding the warning signs associated with a transmission that has reached the end of its lifespan can help you contact a mechanic to have the transmission inspected and replaced before it gives out completely.

Issues Shifting Gears

The clearest indication that something is wrong with your transmission is any sort of problem while you shift gears. Problems with gear-shifting can take many different forms but most commonly will manifest as some sort of hesitation when you switch gears.

A severely worn transmission can actually cause your transmission to shift out of gear while you drive at a constant speed. If this happens, your entire vehicle may jerk or shake. If this occurs, your transmission is likely on its last legs and should be inspected as soon as possible.

Strange Shifting Noises

Another hard-to-miss sign of a failing transmission is a strange sound that seems to come from your engine when you shift gears. High-pitched whining and clunking can point to excessive wear on your transmission's gears and predict a future mechanical failure.

Beyond the noises, any sensation of grinding or buzzing when you shift gears can point to excessive wear on the gears as well. These sounds may come from the steering wheel or the gas and brake pedals.

Burning Smells

Beyond strange sounds, a damaged or malfunctioning transmission can give off an unpleasant burning smell. This is caused by the moving parts in your transmission experiencing excessive friction, usually due to wear or damage, which in turn causes your transmission fluid to burn.

If you notice a burning smell within the interior of your vehicle, you should head to a mechanic straight away. Even if your transmission isn't the part of your vehicle to blame, the smell of burning chemicals is never a good sign.

Leaking Fluid

Transmission fluid is the part of your transmission that actually generates the pressure that your transmission uses to switch gears. Leaking fluid can point to a transmission that is no longer able to function properly (or at all, if the transmission is bled dry).

In order to tell whether the fluid leaking out of your vehicle is transmission fluid, you should blot fluid up with a paper towel. Transmission fluid has a reddish or orange color, which makes it distinctive from oil and coolant.

Discolored Fluid

Even if you don't have transmission fluid actually leaking out of your vehicle, you should inspect the color of the fluid if you notice any issues with your vehicle's transmission. Check your owner's manual to determine just where the transmission fluid reservoir is in your vehicle, and take out the dipstick to inspect the fluid.

As mentioned above, transmission fluid is usually red or orange in color. However, dark fluid points to a buildup of dirt and other contaminants, which can affect the performance of your transmission.

Further, if your transmission fluid smells burnt, you likely have a transmission that is extremely worn and that generates a great deal of heat due to friction, burning the fluid.

For all of your transmission repair needs, please don't hesitate to contact us at Cambron Body Shop. Our team of highly trained automotive repair specialists will be more than happy to address any questions and concerns that you may have about your vehicle.