New Orleans Transmission Repair: 10 Signs of a Slipping Transmission

Signs Your Car Is About to Die | Reader's Digest

Nola Automotive Repairs

Keep an eye on your vehicle while you’re behind the wheel by knowing about the signs of a slipping transmission.  It may not mean that your vehicle is going to fail anytime soon but you can avoid a $1,000 up to $6,000 spend on a transmission replacement from a quality transmission repair service.

So, it is wise enough to get a handle on transmission problems that you shouldn’t ignore and stop transmission slipping ASAP to avoid major transmission repairs at all costs.

Transmission Trouble:  Signs that Your Car’s Transmission is Having Problems

Early detection of transmission slips can save you money and further damage to your car.  Here are ten signs that you should not disregard:

  1.  Your transmission refuses to go into gear

A manual transmission can go wrong when it refuses to budge when you depress the clutch pedal and attempt to move the stick shifter.  A failing transmission system will cause your vehicle to refuse or struggle to change gears.  This may be caused by low transmission fluid or the wrong kind of transmission fluid.

  1.  Burning smell

A burning odor that comes from your car is a sign that you should get to a New Orleans transmission repair shop right away.  The whiff of burning transmission fluid is a probable cause of this odor further indicating that your transmission is overheating.

  1.  Noisy transmission in neutral

When your car is at neutral and you hear weird noises, it is an indication that your car needs new transmission oil or a costly part replacement due to mechanical wear.  If it’s the fluid that needs replacement, your car will do best with the specific formulation called for in the owner’s manual.  Do not settle for less.

  1.  Slipping gears

With a properly functioning transmission, a vehicle stays in the gear you designate it to.  However, with a transmission in which the gears slip in and out of place while you are driving, you will be in a potentially dangerous scenario, especially when you are on the road.  Have a New Orleans transmission repair mechanic examine your transmission when this happens.

  1.  Dragging clutch

A dreaded dragging clutch is when the clutch fails to disengage the clutch disk from the flywheel when the driver pushes in the clutch pedal.  The driver won’t be able to shift gears because the clutch is still engaged spinning along with the engine.  You will often hear a grinding noise every time you try to shift gears.

  1.  Leaking fluid

A red, sweet-smelling fluid underneath your car in the garage or parking lot is transmission fluid that is leaking out.  You will have to check the transmission fluid level yourself if you have mechanical capabilities or if not, have a mechanic do so since it is not as easy as simply lifting the hood and reading a dipstick.  Keep in mind that transmission fluid is vital to your vehicle’s shifting capabilities so a little leak can quickly turn into a problem.

  1.  A lit-up engine light on your dashboard

It may not mean that your transmission is slipping, but don’t overlook this warning sign because it may still mean there is transmission trouble since these sensors can pick up vibrations and early problems.

  1. Grinding or shaking when shifting gears

Anything that you notice in your car other than a smooth transition between gears like a grinding sound on a manual transmission or a jarring transition on automatic transmissions means that you would have to get those transmissions checked.

  1. All other that-doesn’t-sound-right transmission trouble sounds

Whining, clunking, humming buzzing — name it — if you feel something doesn’t ‘sound right’ when you shift gears, you may want to have your transmissions examined by a New Orleans transmission repair shop.

  1. Lack of response

Every time your car doesn’t respond when you shift gears, there is clearly something wrong.  If your car revs up but won’t move as quickly as the engine is running or when the car won’t shift quickly into “park” or “drive”, you are having problems with your transmission. 

Considerations for a New Orleans Transmissions Repair

Research on reputable New Orleans transmission repair shops, call them, or visit them to get an estimate for transmission repair or replacement if needed.  They should have a mechanic that specializes in transmissions and is a member of or certified by the Automatic Transmission Rebuilders Association. Make sure you ask any question about the repair process and that you can trust them with what could be a costly repair.