Five Common Transmission Problems and How to Fix Them | Midas

Automatic or manual, fewer repairs on your car are more daunting than the dreaded transmission repair. One of the most complicated and technical components of your vehicle, the transmission commands a particular respect among mechanics. Some spend years just to specialise in them. Transmission failures can be time-consuming and costly to repair, so detecting transmission issues early is crucial to keep your car on the road and your money in your pocket.

Do you know how to recognise issues with your transmission? If you don’t, you’re not alone. Fortunately, you don’t need to be a certified mechanic to recognise when something’s wrong with your vehicle. A few useful tips can go a long way toward diagnosing– your car’s transmission. Read on to find out more about transmission repair.

Diagnosing transmission problems

Transmission is leaking fluids

If you notice fluids on the garage floor, try to trace them to their source. Transmission fluid is typically red. Is the fluid coming from a transmission line or from the engine? Replacing the transmission line, seal, or pan gasket nearest the source will often solve this problem. Don’t forget to top up your transmission fluid once your leak has stopped.

Shifting inconsistency

You might notice that your automatic transmission has a shift delay or an otherwise erratic shift pattern. Perhaps it revs high before shifting from third to fourth or doesn’t downshift with consistency. If this is the case, you should start by checking that the right transmission fluid has been used and the fluid level is appropriate. If the same problem occurs with a manual transmission, the problem may be a worn clutch. Speak with your trusted car mechanic at Midas NZ to organise an inspection

Transmission gears are slipping

Slipping gears is a dangerous automobile malfunction. If your vehicle is spontaneously falling into higher or lower gears or just out of gear entirely, you’ll want to address the issue immediately. As always, double check your fluid levels. Low or exhausted transmission fluid can cause wear and tear within your transmission. If you are driving an automatic transmission, the issue could be the transmission solenoid sending faulty signals to the transmission. More likely, however, the gears have worn, or the clutch plates burned away. If that is the case, you’ll need to visit a transmission repair specialist to replace them.

Overheating Transmission

If you smell something burning under the bonnet, see if it corresponds to the engine thermostat on your dash. If it does, your engine is probably overheating. If your engine temperature is fine, however, the problem could be coming from your transmission. Transmission fluid will eventually break down if left unchanged for too long, exhausting the fluid of its lubricating properties. The exhausted fluid could become a sludge that starts to burn when the transmission gears get too hot. If your transmission fluid is black and sludgy, it’s time to replace it. If the fluid is fine, you may have a blocked transmission line preventing the fluid from circulating. You can typically solve this issue by replacing your transmission cooler lines.

Transmission is clicking, clunking, or whining

Noise from your transmission is easy to recognise but the underlying problem could be tricky to diagnose. If you drive a manual transmission, you can isolate these sounds quickly if they occur when you change gears. On automatic transmissions, these sounds may be slightly harder to define, but the sounds themselves are still rather distinct. Consult with your transmission repair specialist at Midas NZ. The issue could be a failed torque converter.

New Zealand’s most trusted transmission repair specialists

Your car deserves the best. At Midas NZ Ltd, our certified mechanics boast years of experience diagnosing and repairing transmissions of all makes and models. Don’t let transmission troubles side-line your car. Contact Midas NZ today, and get back on the road!