When your transmission goes out on your vehicle, whether you drive an automatic or manual transmission, you will be unable to drive your car. A new transmission is costly, but you can buy a used or refurbished transmission if your budget doesn't allow for a new one.
Before your vehicle breaks down completely, learn the signs of transmission failure. In knowing how a failing transmission operates, you can get your vehicle to the mechanic in time to get repairs made. A transmission repair shop may be able to save your transmission and prevent you from having to buy a new one.
Leaking fluid
Transmission fluid is a different color than oil, often a purple- or red-tinted color. If you see transmission fluid on the ground or spilling out over your engine, then you have a transmission problem. If your transmission operates without fluid, the unit could break down fast so don't hesitate to go to a special mechanic for your transmission problem.
Trouble shifting
Whether you drive an automatic or manual vehicle, your car should not have problems shifting gears. Your transmission is responsible for allowing the right amount of power to go to your car so gears shift with ease. In an automatic, your car may lurch or be slow to shift into faster speeds, causing your RPMs to go up even if you aren't going very fast. In a manual car, your gears may appear stuck or may stall when you use them.
Strange odor
Transmission problems can lead to a strange odor that you smell when the vehicle is running. In a manual car, the scent appears to come from the stick shift as well as from under the hood. The smell is like rotten eggs or sulfur. Take your car to a mechanic to diagnose the strange odor and get your transmission repaired as soon as you can.
Older transmission
Transmissions will wear out with age, just like any other part of your vehicle. If your transmission is older, it may need to be replaced soon. Your transmission repair specialist will tell you how much life your transmission has left in it based on how you drive and the type of care your transmission has seen over the years. If you take care of your transmission today, you can help prevent wear and tear that will cause you to replace the unit sooner than you want to.
Contact a company like AAA Commercial Transmission for more information.