What Are The Signs Of A Bad Transmission? Check 10 Symptoms!

Your vehicle needs to have all its systems in excellent working condition so that you have the best experience when driving it.

This is the same for the vehicle’s transmission as it determines the way the vehicle moves-thus the reason why its maintenance is important.

However, at times your transmission may be going out and thus altering the normal functioning of the vehicle, meaning you won’t get the smoothest driving experience from such a vehicle.

As indicated above, the transmission of the vehicle is as important as the engine of the vehicle.

However, it is affected by a number of factors that prevent it from providing regular optimal performance.

The following signs will show that the vehicle transmission is going out and will require your immediate attention:

Delay When Shifting From One Gear To Another
The Transmission Produces A Burning Smell
Abnormal Noises from The Vehicle’s Transmission
You Will Notice A Slipping Reaction From The Gears
The Clutch Appears To Be Dragging
Leaking Of The Transmission Fluid
When The Check Engine Light Comes On
Humming Sounds Where The Transmission Will Be The Source
In An Automatic Transmission, The System Appears To Be Shaking Or Grinding
Failure To Respond Completely When You Shift Gears

Therefore, if you are on the road with your vehicle and notice that it is responding abnormally, especially when you are shifting from one gear to another, then the transmission may be the issue.

One reason for this would be that the transmission may be going out and hence the irregular behavior from the vehicle.

In a severe extent, a failing transmission will cause the vehicle to stop moving altogether.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Can You Drive With A Bad Transmission?

No, you can’t drive with a bad transmission as the vehicle will not respond as smoothly as needed. You might ignore having the transmission fixed, but this will cause further damage.

In some instances, all that is needed might just be for the refilling of the transmission fluid, but further damage will be caused if you continue using the vehicle before this is done.

Friction and too much heat will damage the components, and you will have to pay much more to restore the optimal performance of the transmission of the vehicle.

How Long Will A Transmission Last After It Starts Slipping?

The transmission can last for a short while after it starts slipping but it is advisable to get it repaired immediately after you notice the signs.

If, when driving, you notice a slip of the transmission, the transmission may not last for long as you may think.

At this point, continuing to drive the vehicle will not be the best idea as it is quite dangerous.

This is due to the fact that you will not be able to control the way you drive the vehicle or even the speed at which the vehicle moves.

If you notice a slip of the transmission, it is recommended that you pull over and call your mechanic.

They should be able to come through and check the condition of the transmission. This will not only be safe for you but will prevent further damages to the transmission of the vehicle.

10 Symptoms That Your Transmission Is Going Out!

As indicated above, you will notice some signs that will show that your transmission system is bad.

This might vary in indicating the rate of the damage on the transmission as some may indicate just a little damage, while others are alarming and will indicate a major degree of damage to the transmission.

1. Delay When Shifting From One Gear To Another

Transmission in excellent condition should be able to react immediately when you shift from one gear to another.

A damaged transmission will delay or even refuse to switch gears even when you are on the road driving.

This might be because of low transmission fluid that will make it unable to generate sufficient hydraulic pressure for this action.

It may also be used up and thus clogged and unable to perform as needed.

2. The Transmission Produces A Burning Smell

A damaged transmission may be affected by overheating even if you have not been driving the vehicle for long.

One reason for this is a poor condition or low levels of the transmission fluid, thus the inability of it to cool the components or lubricate them as needed.

If you notice this sign, you have no option but to take it to a mechanic to avoid further damage.

3. Abnormal Noises From The Vehicle’s Transmission

The transmission of the vehicle needs to be quiet or at least make sounds that are not annoying.

A damaged transmission will be noticed if, when you shift gears, there is an accompanying sound that seems rather rough.

This may be due to the friction on the components of the transmission that will also show that the transmission is failing.

4. You Will Notice A Slipping Reaction From The Gears

When you set the shifter at a particular gear, say 3, but it slips to the previous gear that it was at, then the transmission of that vehicle is not in the best condition.

This is a sign that might be dangerous for you while you are one the road as you will not be able to control the speed at which the vehicle is moving.

5. The Clutch Appears To Be Dragging

For the manual vehicles, if the clutch does not react as it normally did when shifting gears, then the transmission of that vehicle might be having complications.

6. Leaking Of The Transmission Fluid

Leakages of the transmission fluid will cause the fluid level to below, and it will be unable to lubricate the components of the transmission.

You may notice this is after driving through a trail and notice a fluid that appears reddish and has a sweet smell on the ground.

This might be a transmission fluid, and it might be leaking from any of the components of the transmission system.

You could always just check the level of the fluid using the dipstick, and if its less, refilling will be necessary.

7. When The Check Engine Light Comes On

The check engine light is clearly visible on the dashboard of your vehicle. It will be a warning sign of many issues concerning components that are associated with the engine of the vehicle.

If you check and confirm that all the other components and systems are in excellent condition, then the transmission may be the issue for your vehicle.

8. Humming Sounds Where The Transmission Will Be The Source

When the vehicle produces some abnormal sounds, it will indicate that the transmission is not in the best shape.

The sounds will appear as humming, clunking or whining sounds that will come from the transmission.

At this point, you will have to get a mechanic to come through and check the condition of the transmission of the vehicle.

9. In An Automatic Transmission, The System Appears To Be Shaking Or Grinding

If yours is an automatic transmission, if it gets damaged with any of the factors already stated in this article, it will start producing some weird reaction.

For instance, you might notice that the transmission or even the vehicle itself appears to be grinding or shaking as to shift between the gears while driving.

This is a certain sign that will point out the transmission of the vehicle to be damaged.

10. Failure To Respond Completely When You Shift Gears

When you detect issues with your vehicle’s transmission and fail to correct them, such as not filling the transmission fluid as needed, this is a sign that you will notice.

The vehicle’s transmission may be highly affected such that when you shift from park to drive, it refuses to activate what you want.

Can a transmission go out without warning? No, there will be signs that will warn you that your transmission is going out. The signs, as indicated above, include slipping of the gears, noises, and burning of the transmission as well as leaking of the transmission fluid. It is not possible, therefore, for the transmission to simply go out before a warning.

How Much Does It Cost To Repair Your Transmission?

It might cost you up to $250 to have your vehicle’s transmission fixed.

However, the price varies depending on the repair work needed to restore the optimal performance of the vehicle’s transmission.

If you postpone getting it fixed, further damage will occur, and repairing at that point will be costlier.

If you like to know more about this subject, then read this post.

Is it Worth Fixing A Transmission?

Yes, repairing the vehicle’s transmission will be worth your effort and time. This is especially if your mechanic advises that they can restore the optimal functioning of the transmission of the vehicle.

Similarly, if the transmission has not been affected by many cases of damages, then it will do with repair work. You could avoid the other options if you still have trust in your vehicle’s transmission.