While automatic transmissions might make a car much easier to drive and be more convenient, automatic transmissions can experience various problems. Some transmission problems are expensive to repair, but any suspected transmission issue should be addressed in a timely manner, so the damage doesn’t worsen and so you don’t end up paying out more in repairs than you absolutely must. You should be attentive to how your car is shifting to increase your chances of noticing any transmission problems right away.

Five Signs of Transmission Problems You Shouldn’t Ignore

If you start noticing any of these problems with your vehicle, it could be sign of transmission failure. You need to take your vehicle to be checked right away. Don’t continue driving your vehicle after you have noticed these problems:

A slipping transmission

If you have noticed automatic transmission slipping, it might feel like your car is operating in a specific gear then it changes gears for no apparent reason. There might be an unusual noise, such as whining noise or a different pitch from the engine when you are driving. Sometimes the car might seem like it is lacking power, fail to properly accelerate, or the engine might seem to be struggling.

Shifting roughly

Your car might not want to shift. It might seem as though it is refusing to change gears as usual, or when it does shift, the shifting is not smooth. You might feel a thud or a clunk during shifting. The car might have problems in getting up to speed.

Delayed engagement getting into gear

You might realize that there is a delay in the car getting engaged in drive or when it starts to move. When you shift from park into drive, you might experience a long pause with a revving engine while you give it gas, but the vehicle lags in moving as it should.

Leaking fluid

Transmissions are sealed, so the units shouldn’t leak transmission fluid. If you notice spots where there has been a leak on your driveway or garage floor, you should place cardboard underneath the front and the middle of your vehicle to see if the leaks are active. If your transmission has a leak, the fluid is bright red. However, it might appear brown or dark red. If you see a leak, get your vehicle to a qualified auto repair shop for inspection. Before you refill transmission fluid, be sure you check the factory specifications. Overfilling a transmission can cause additional problems.

Warning light

While the transmission warning light by itself doesn’t necessarily mean you have a transmission problem, it might. If the light illuminates and you have had any of the symptoms previously mentioned, you need to get the transmission problem diagnosed right away. When the transmission warning light comes on, it means that the computer is generating an error code that needs to be checked using diagnostic tools. A general transmission problem is indicated by code P0700.

Routine Transmission Service

You should follow the service schedule that is recommended by your manufacturer. There will be specified times for fluid and filter changes. Routine transmission flushes are an excellent way to clean out the transmission, so new fluid can be added. This will allow your mechanic to check the transmission for further problems. If the transmission fluid smells burnt or looks dirty, it could be a warning of a more serious problem.

With routine maintenance, you can often catch problems early before they become full-blown and cause you worse issues or leave you stranded. By repairing your transmission before the problem escalates, you can often save time and money. Transmission repairs can be expensive, especially if the transmission must be rebuilt or replaced. Depending on the make and model of your vehicle, it could cost several thousand dollars to replace or rebuild an automatic transmission.

If your European car’s transmission is giving you cause for concern, call Das European Autohaus, Spring, Houston, TX, at (281) 619-8397 today to schedule service. We service Audi, BMW, Mercedes, MINI Cooper, Porsche, and Volkswagen vehicles. Our knowledgeable technicians have undergone extensive training for diagnosing and repairing automatic transmission issues in European vehicles. We treat your car as if it were our own, and we believe in putting customers first.