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How to tell if something is wrong with your automatic transmission

by Aubree Richardson

Issues with the transmission in your car can be problematic to identify, simply because the transmission is such an advanced and complicated part of your car that not many people know enough about to examine properly. However, there are some signs that can tell you if there's something wrong with your automatic transmission. If you notice these signs, you need to get in touch with a mechanic that performs automatic transmission services immediately to not make the issue worse and to get automatic transmission repairs done straight away. In order to recognise these signs, there are a few things you should know about.

Slow gear shift

A common sign of automatic transmission failure is that the car hesitates to switch between modes. Your car should immediately switch from park to drive, for example, and not hesitate or not go into the chosen mode at all. This is something that's more complicated to notice with an automatic gearbox than a manual one, as you might not notice straight away that's something is wrong. Try gently pushing the gas straight after switching mode to hear if the car has reacted to the gear change and is ready to go. If it's not, you need to have automatic transmission repairs done.

Strange sounds

Another sign to tell if there's something wrong with your automatic transmission is if you can hear strange sounds when changing gears. Different issues can cause different sounds, and the same goes for different car models. But if you can identify a noise that you didn't use to hear before, it's possible it indicates a malfunction. Listen carefully for sounds as you change the gear. If you can hear a mechanical thumping sound, it's very possible that one or more of the parts in your transmission has come loose and you need to have it repaired.

Transmission fluid

One of the most common causes of transmission malfunction is that it's running low on automatic transmission fluid. Check the fluid levels regularly to make sure the transmission can always function properly. The fluid isn't being used in the engine, so if the fluid levels are low, this means you have a leak somewhere in your system. The most obvious sign of a leak is therefore that your fluid levels are low, but if you find clear, somewhat reddish, fluid on the driveway where your car has been parked, this is also a sign that your transmission fluid is leaking. Make sure to see a mechanic as soon as possible to have the leak fixed to avoid more serious problems with your transmission and your engine in the future.

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