Your car’s transmission, whether it is manual or automatic, is one of the hardest working systems in the entire engine. The process of shifting gears up and down to control the power your car needs to keep the wheels turning is a vital part of the vehicle’s continued functionality. When everything is working as intended, it can be easy to forget that the system even exists in some cases. When your transmission starts to reach the end of its life though, more and more problems can start to appear.
The sooner you can detect and deal with problems related to your transmission, the less costly the work will be typically. If you overlook the warning signs that point to the need for repairs, then you could end up in a situation where a full transmission overhaul is needed. Have your transmission completely overhauled or even replaced is very expensive, and can leave you without a vehicle for an extended period of time.
At Titan Towing, our team understands how important your car can be to your daily life, especially in the Dallas-Fort Worth, TX area. To help drivers avoid the troubling experience of dealing with a total transmission overhaul, we’ve decided to share some important things to watch out for hat could be early warning signs that your transmission needs to be repaired.
Pay Attention to the Dashboard
While this may seem like a really obvious piece of advice, the dashboard lights of your vehicle should never be ignored. Believe it or not, quite a few drivers on the road tend to ignore the warning indicators on their dashboard. Depending on the model of your vehicle, your dashboard may only provide a generalized “check engine” light while other warnings will be more specific.
Either way, it is always a good idea to take your car to a skilled maintenance man as soon as you see a warning like this. Whether it is your transmission or some other system in your vehicle, getting it taken care of quickly can go a long way towards reducing costs in the long run.
Unusual Noises While in Neutral
Ignoring the behavior of your vehicle while in neutral is common. It can be easy to think that there wouldn’t be anything to look out for if your transmission isn’t working to move your vehicle. If you are hearing unusual noises from your vehicle while in neutral, including bumping sounds, then it is a good time to get your vehicle checked up by a professional.
Strange noises while in neutral could also be an indicator of mechanical problems including a worn idler gear or damaged work bearings. Because these systems are so important to the overall functionality of your vehicle, having a trained professional look over everything is the best way to find the source of the problem.
Check for Leaking Transmission Fluid
If you notice fluids leaking out of the bottom of your vehicle, it is never a good sign. Unlike motor oil though, there is no reason why transmission fluid should be leaking or even burning up. If you happen to see a puddle of bright red or dark brown fluid beneath the center area of your vehicle, then it could be a strong indicator of a serious problem with your transmission that needs to be examined as quickly as possible.
Whining Noises
Sometimes, driving with your stereo off and listening to the sounds of your vehicle while driving is an important part of monitoring its overall condition. When a vehicle’s transmission is starting to experience distress, it can start to create distinct noises that might sound like a whining, whirring, or humming. In most cases, these types of can only be heard intermittently at first but can become more frequent over time.
If you are hearing any kind of unusual noise from your vehicle, especially when idling in neutral, then it is a clear sign that something is wrong. In these kinds of situations, your best option is to take your vehicle to a professional who can diagnose the source of the noise and handle any repair work as soon as possible.
Don’t Wait and Hope it Will Go Away
If you notice any unusual signs from your vehicle, or you think that there is a problem with your transmission, then it is never a good idea to wait and hope for the best. Taking care of a problem with your car as fast as possible can not only keep you safe but also reduce the potential costs of any repair work that needs to be done.
If you do happen to run into trouble and your vehicle stops working at the worst possible time, then trust Titan Towing in Arlington, TX to get you to a mechanic quickly, and safely without any further damage to your car. Be sure to contact our team right away if you need towing services because of transmission trouble, or any other problem with your vehicle!
