Stay On The Road And Out Of Trouble - Signs Your Transmission Needs Repair

The open road has long been the center of excitement and opportunity in American culture, but it also comes with a wide variety of challenges. As a vehicle owner, you know that keeping your car in its best shape is chief among these challenges. Given the myriad systems and pieces and parts that may need maintenance, car upkeep can be a very difficult challenge indeed.

Below, you'll find a guide to some warning signs that your transmission may be in danger of failing. Keeping an eye out for these problems will allow you to prevent small issues from becoming more serious and can help guarantee that you stay on the road for as long as possible.

Delayed Engagement

Modern automatic transmissions work based on electric impulses and computer signals, and as such, the shifting process should be nearly instantaneous. However, you may notice your car seeming to hesitate as it shifts between gears or, most obviously, when you're transitioning from drive to park.

These rough transitions are known as delayed engagement, and they're typically a sign that there's a communication disruption occurring at some level in your automatic transmission. If you notice this occurring, it's important that you get your transmission checked before these mechanical issues snowball into something much more serious.

Fluid Leaks

Your transmission is a closed system that relies on hydraulic pressure to operate smoothly. This means that fluid levels have to remain consistent, but it also means that your transmission fluid should not be at risk of evaporating or leaking.

If you notice a transmission fluid leak underneath your vehicle, it may be a sign of a punctured line, a damaged seal, or a cap that isn't correctly seated. Whatever the cause, a shortage of fluid can cause significant damage to your transmission, so you should be sure to have it sourced and corrected (by a company like Joe's Transmissions Services Inc.) as soon as possible.

Dashboard Warning Lights

The development of dashboard warning systems was designed to provide drivers with a quick and easy reference for potential problems, and yet many people have been conditioned to ignore them entirely. Rather than allowing yourself to drive around with your check engine light engaged, it's extremely important that you determine the source of the warning before continuing to use your vehicle. If your transmission is providing the warning, it could be at risk of failing if you decide to delay figuring out what's causing the related issue.