Diagnosing auto transmission problems

Transmission or gearing problems are one of the hardest and most expensive issues to fix in a car. Such is the difficulty of the work involved that most home mechanics rarely take on a transmission repair job by themselves. If your car is not going into gear, slamming or suddenly grinding, most likely it's suffering from transmission issues. Thankfully, diagnosing gearbox problems in cars is far easier than fixing them.

Diagnosing auto transmission problems

Check the level of the transmission fluid. A fluid level that is low may indicate a leak. Check for traces of leak on the ground below the transmission. Moreover, look in your car's transmission case . Transmission fluid can leak from lines, fluid cooler, gaskets and seals. Determine exactly where the leak is coming from in order to facilitate repair. Put a couple of drops of transmission fluid on a colourless paper towel. If the fluid is light or brown and spreads easily over the towel, you have nothing to worry about. On the other hand, if the transmission fluid is thick and black or dark brown, you might have to replace it as the transmission might already be suffering from inadequate pressure and insufficient lubrication. To make sure that it is in good working condition, replace the fluid filter. Look for metal shavings in the old filter, which are indications of wear. If you find any, you might have to perform a fluid flush.

When to seek the assistance of a professional mechanic

Check if your car's check engine light is on or not. If it is on, bring your car to a mechanic for proper diagnosis. Electronic transmissions are able to detect even minor operational faults, and you may have to drive your vehicle to check whether a problem is not a faulty or one-time error. Have a professional look at your vehicle if it's slipping out of gear while driving, not going into gear or you see a considerable amount of fluid leak. Having your car's transmission fixed at the onset of a problem may help you save money and also prolong the lifespan of your vehicle. Keep in mind that car transmission problems are not unusual, especially if your car is a late model, as gearboxes take up a lot of use and are eventually bound to fail.