Does Your Vehicle Need Transmission Repair?

By Author: Dana Thomas
Total Articles: 9
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There is nothing more critical to the operation of your vehicle than the transmission. Considering that vehicles come with either automatic or manual transmissions, there is a lot that goes into understanding how transmissions work. With an automatic transmission, the vehicle shifts itself into the proper gear, as the name implies. With a manual transmission, the driver must do the gear shifting via a gear or stick shift. Over time, transmissions can wear out and malfunction, requiring repair, or worse, replacement. For this reason, it is beneficial to detect transmission problems early so they can be remedied before they cause serious damage and require complete replacement. Here are a few things to look for to determine if you are in need of San Marcos transmission repair.

Shaking Vehicle

If your car or truck begins to shake or tremble, it's a sign that something is wrong somewhere. This will happen especially when traveling at accelerated speeds. While there are several things a shaking vehicle might be symptomatic of—a poorly tuned engine, for example—it can possibly be a sign ...
... of a transmission problem. This should be checked by a professional immediately because the problem can escalate, leading to very costly San Marcos transmission repair later. It's better to catch the problem early since repairing it will be less expensive than complete replacement. Similarly, if you notice a burning smell it might be a problem with your transmission. If you encounter either of these warning signs, take your car to a transmission specialist.

Leaking Fluid

Pink fluid on the driveway or underneath where you parked is a sure sign you're leaking transmission fluid, which needs to be fixed pronto. There are many seals that can be the source of the leak, so it's important to determine which one it is—or if there is another leak source—and have it fixed. Also keep tabs on your transmission fluid level. Since transmission doesn't burn up like oil, a low level usually indicates a leak. San Marcos transmission repair specialists can remedy the problem before more serious problems develop. Paying attention to your transmission fluid is another way to assure your transmission gets the attention it needs as early as possible.

Rough Shifting

If your vehicle has difficulty shifting into the appropriate gear, it may be an indication of transmission problems. If, when shifting out of park and into forward or reverse, there is a delay of one second or more, or the vehicle shifts into a higher gear only with difficulty, or you experience any slipping or jerking between shifts, you may be in need of San Marcos transmission repair.

Here is how you can test if your transmission is shifting properly. Keep the vehicle at a standstill with the engine running. Quickly shift the vehicle from the park position into forward or reverse. Note how long it takes the transmission to engage in the new gear (you will feel it engage). If the new gear engages immediately with no problem, your transmission is in good condition. If it takes about one second, that's normal for a transmission with more than 150,000 miles on it. You still have some miles of life on your transmission. If, on the other hand, it takes two seconds or more, your transmission may be wearing out, and you require a San Marcos transmission repair specialist.

Engine Lights

The computers that control modern vehicles can do much of your engine monitoring for you. The computer has the ability to detect problems with your transmission—or other engine systems—before the driver even becomes aware that a problem exists. If your engine light tells you to “Check Transmission,” take your vehicle to a professional specializing in San Marcos transmission repair.

Dana Thomas is a freelance writer for Metro Transmission Inc., a San Marcos CA Transmission repair specialist. Learn more about San Marcos transmission repair .services by visiting the Metro Transmission website.