Learn The Warning Signs Of Car Problems

Many drivers decide that they want a car with an automatic transmission because they do not know how to drive a car with a manual transmission, or do not want to bother with having to change gears at the right time. Unfortunately, the luxury of having an automatic transmission is that it is one more vital part of your car that can break down. Even if you are not a mechanic, it is still possible to understand some signs that your car is having transmission problems. Knowing what to look for will give you a warning that you should take your car into the shop for a transmission repair to have it looked at as soon as possible.

Your Car Jerks When It Changes Gears

A transmission that is working properly is going to smoothly change between gears while you are accelerating. Pay attention to how your car makes this transition between gears and if it causes the car to jerk at all.

A transmission that is not operating smoothly is a warning sign that transmission repair could be in your future. It is better to have it looked at soon, or else you may find yourself stranded on the side of the road in a car that cannot change gears.

Low Transmission Fluid

You should be checking your transmission fluid regularly just as you would check your oil. See your owner's manual for specifics on how to check the fluid in your specific car. Not only can low transmission fluid cause problems with the operation of your transmission, but it could be a sign that you have a bigger problem such as a transmission fluid leak.

The transmission may be perfectly fine, but if there is a fluid leak that causes a transmission to not get the fluid it needs, it could cause a lot of damage.

Unable To Drive In Reverse

Even though you are manually putting your car into reverse gear, it is still a part of your car's automatic transmission system. If your car will no longer change to this gear it is a big sign that you have transmission troubles.

Unfortunately, it's entirely possible to put off repairing this problem until it gets much worse. Having it fixed early may only require a small repair to the valve body or another component that is causing pressure loss.

The only way to know for sure if your transmission needs repair is to have it professionally diagnosed. For a small fee, a transmission repair shop can look at the part and tell you what is wrong with it.