Just as a chain is essential in a bike, the transmission is essential in a car. It helps your car remain efficient on the highway and even while winding up country hills.
If your transmission frequently malfunctions, you may have been sold a lemon. If you believe your car was sold to you with a defect, reach out to us at 833.422.7529 for a free consultation and we will investigate the problem.
Symptoms and Solutions
Before discussing the most common transmission problem warning signs, we need to understand how the transmission operates. The transmission works with the gearbox and the clutch to ensure gears shift properly. In doing so, it transfers energy from the engine to the wheels.
With that, let’s review the most common transmission problems:
Leaking Transmission Fluid
This bright red lubricant is essential for lubricating, cleaning, and conditioning the transmission. If you have a leak, you may notice a puddle under your car after backing out of the driveway or parking space.
Solution: Take careful note of the puddle’s color. If it’s red and smells sweet, you’ll need to simply find the leak and replace or repair the faulty component. If the puddle is dark or smells burnt, you should change the fluid and may even need extra repairs. You should also regularly check your transmission fluid level to ensure it’s not too low. Your transmission fluid is like your engine oil: if it gets too low, the machinery it’s designed to protect will suffer.
A Burning Smell
There are lots of parts in your car that can smolder or burn, and none of it is good. Your transmission fluid may overheat and burn up. When that happens, the transmission will have to deal with increased friction, sludge, and debris, putting it at risk for damage.
Solution: If you smell anything burning, immediately take your vehicle to the dealership for inspection. Replacing the transmission is an expensive ordeal. You should also check with the owner’s manual to see which brand of transmission fluid is recommended. Sometimes using the wrong type can create issues.
Loud Grinding
If you have a manual transmission, you may notice or feel a loud grinding noise while shifting gears. While this could indicate a problem with the clutch, it may also mean the transmission synchronizer, which is designed to provide smooth shifting, is damaged.
Solution: Take your vehicle to the dealership for professional inspection.
Slipping Gears
In a stick-shift vehicle, your transmission should keep you in a single gear until you tell it otherwise. In an automatic vehicle, the transmission should stay in place until the computer tells it to shift. In some cases, the transmission may seem to shift gears on its own, even popping out of gear or simply returning to neutral. This is incredibly dangerous, as it can cause you to suddenly lose power, and it can even cause damage to the engine.
Solution: In many cases, the problem will be with the link between the gears. To stay safe, take your car to the dealership as soon as possible.
The Check Engine Light is On
You never want to see the check engine light, but when it’s on, you need to pay attention. It could point to a problem with the transmission.
Solution: Take a trip to the dealership to have your car inspected. In the meantime, pay close attention for any of the symptoms listed above. If you notice any, report them to your dealership.
Seek Legal Assistance for Your Transmission
Frequent transmission issues may point to a lemon, but you don’t have to stand for it. Robison Lemon Law Group can help you navigate both the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act and lemon laws to ensure you receive the justice you deserve.