Your vehicle’s transmission is as delicate as it is important, which means it requires routine attention and care.
Fortunately it’s not difficult or expensive to maintain your transmission, as long as you know how to identify warning signs.
This is our list of the most common and easy-to-spot signs of a bad transmission, so you can spend more time driving, and less time in a transmission auto repair shop.
The Most Common Signs
There are dozens of signs your transmission is going bad, but we’ve narrowed it down to three simple tells:
• Burning rubber smell
Just like manual vehicles, a burning smell most likely means there is something wrong with your automatic transmission. This symptom usually indicates a minor problem, but if left unchecked a minor problem can quickly compound into something far more serious and expensive.
• Weird sounds
This one should be self-explanatory. If your engine is making weird noises, get it checked immediately.
• Delayed acceleration
This is almost a guaranteed sign that something is wrong with your transmission. Your transmission is responsible for the smooth acceleration of your car, so if your car is delaying, catching, or grinding during acceleration, you should have a transmission mechanic check it as soon as possible.
If you notice any of these signs, take your car in for an automatic transmission service.
Transmission Replacement Cost
Transmission replacements are difficult and expensive (the average cost is between $2,000 and $4,000).
Parts alone cost at least $1,000, and 4-10 hours of labor would cost at least $500, so the cheapest possible replacement would still be around $1500.
What You Can Do To Prevent Transmission Failure (and save a lot of money)
You can do some routine check-ups on your own to make sure your transmission is running optimally:
• Check your transmission fluid regularly
• Make it a habit to switch gears properly and carefully
• Put your vehicle in park when not in use
• Regularly check for leaks in your engine
• Don’t overload your vehicle
• Allow your vehicle to warm up before moving (especially during winter months)
A good rule of thumb when it comes to car maintenance is if you feel something’s wrong with your car, get it checked right away. Owning a car is a big responsibility and you should always trust your gut as a driver.
Book regular appointments with S&S Transmission to avoid missing potentially major issues in your engine.
