Vehicle maintenance is a very important aspect of owning one. And like every other machinery, cars to have their time of breakdown. Sometimes, there are certain signs of damage such as dents, scratches, unusual sounds, sights, and smells that are visible and can easily be linked up with mechanical damage. These damages can occur anywhere at any time in the engine, the transmission, wheel alignment, or even balancing.
However, in this blog, we are going to majorly discuss about the transmission problems in your car. Read it further to learn some of the common and remarkable symptoms associated with transmission problems in your car.
1. Transmission Slipping
In a normal transmission function, the gears will not change unless the RPM changes (for automatic transmission) and unless changed manually otherwise. But, if you find your car shifting out of gear and into neutral, it implies that the transmission of the car is slipping and not staying in its original position.
A slipping transmission is usually the first sign to get your car checked because it can lead to a major problem. During times when you need to push your car, a slip might make things worse and could prove to be potentially dangerous.
2. Warning Lights and Indicators
Modern-day cars have an entire unit for electronics and sensors. The check engine light comes up if you have been facing certain problems while shifting gears or transmission in general.
Just make sure to never ignore a dashboard warning sign because if the light does come up, it is a good idea to get it examined at your nearest car service center Bangalore with specially designed equipment such as a sensor reader. And if the code P0700 does show up, it indicates a transmission related issue.
3. Unusual Grinding Noises
There are times when the gears will grind with each other while shifting. This could happen due to mechanical displacements or lack of lubrication thus resulting in friction and making odd noises. If this happens, you will face trouble shifting gears and feel the vibrations with the noise.
In case of such a situation where you can hear rough noises or feel vibrations while gear shifting, it is advisable to not ignore one of the most common symptoms of transmission problems and visit a service centre at the earliest.
4. Uneven Odor
All the mechanical parts of a car are lubricated with specialized oils. Similarly, the transmission uses transmission oils to keep the moving parts well lubricated. If you get a whiff of any burning odour or poor smell, chances are the transmission fluids are either leaking or overheating in which case the fluids get burned and release the odour.
Another sign would be to look for any signs of leakage under your car. Usually, a red fluid leakage under the car means there is a leakage in the transmission of the car. The transmission fluid is also used to cool down the heating parts and if the fluid reeks of a burning smell, it means there is overheating in the parts.
5. Increased Hardness in Gears
Shifting the gears is a simple process that requires zero resistance. Be it manual transmission or automatic transmission, gear shifting does not include any resistance or noise. But, if you feel that the clutch of your vehicle is taking more effort than usual, then there is a chance that your car’s transmission has become faulty. Increased hardness of the gears is often a sign of worn-down clutch plates or transmission sections. You might also hear a grinding or buzzing noise while you shift the gears. Well, these are the clear signs that your car needs to be repaired. Thus, we recommend you take your car to the nearest service station at the earliest.
6. Clutch Dragging
Another one of the common symptom of transmission problems is a dragging clutch. While the problem isn’t very big, it can cause a lot of trouble for the driver. In the case of clutch dragging, the clutch plate fails to disengage with the flywheel which leads to certain friction in shifting gears and creates noise. This problem is mainly caused due to blockage around the pedal, which means that excessive slack and dirt gets accumulated in and around the pedal. Besides, it can also be caused due to improper clutch cables that lead to broken linkage and the inability to separate the clutch disc from the flywheel.
7. Lack of response
Every time, when you shift the gears, either up or down, it has a response to the acceleration of the car and gets shifted accordingly. But, if there is a lack in the response timing, the car will rev up as it should but takes more time than usual to pick up the speed; which ultimately causes a delayed response of the engine.
Another common symptom of transmission problems is a dragging clutch. While the problem isn’t very big, it can cause a lot of trouble for the driver. In the case of clutch dragging, the clutch plate fails to disengage with the flywheel which leads to certain friction in shifting gears and creates noise.
This problem usually occurs due to an old or worn-out clutch and can occur in both manual and automatic transmissions. The only difference being the automatic transmission is more affected during the Park and Drive shifting. In case this delay is seen, getting your clutch checked is the best idea.