Diagnosing Problems With Your Vehicle's Transmission

One of the most important parts of a vehicle's mechanical system is the transmission. It is primarily responsible for transferring power from the engine to the driveshaft in order for the vehicle to continue being propelled forward.

Every time your vehicle is in motion, the transmission is working. It is therefore one of the parts of the car that experiences the most wear and tear over time. It is often subjected to heat, friction and contact from other moving parts of the engine.

Transmission problems are often quite expensive to fix, especially if left undiagnosed for long periods of time. It helps to detect transmission problems early so you can take you vehicle to transmission services and have the problem fixed before it becomes worse.

Here are some of the most common transmission issues and how you can diagnose them in a timely fashion.

Delays in shifting gears

If you're experiencing delays in smoothly shifting gears, this is often a sign of a transmission problem. For automatic transmission vehicles, you may notice that shifting from park to drive doesn't immediately cause the car to start moving.

There may be a delay or a stutter in the car's movement before it gets into gear. This is often indicative of a problem with the clutch of the vehicle, which may need to be replaced.

If the shift in gears leads to more significant delays, it might point to a more severe problem such as cracks or leaking fluid in the transmission. 

Whining and humming sounds

In some cases, transmission issues will manifest themselves in weird sounds you haven't heard before. You may experience humming and whining whenever you shift gears, or a clunking sound in vehicles with manual transmission.

If the sound is loudest when shifting gears, it almost always points to a transmission problem. Take your vehicle for transmission repair as soon as possible before you have to replace the entire transmission of your vehicle.

Grinding or shaking 

Your vehicle should always run smoothly while on the road. If you notice any grinding or shaking while driving, this often indicates a problem with your gears. It may be that the gear synchronizers are worn out, or the clutch needs to be adjusted. Vehicles with an automatic transmission may also experience a jerking motion every time the vehicle switches gears.

"Check engine" light

You should also pay attention to the warning systems in your vehicle. If the "check engine" light comes on, you should consider transmission services as soon as possible to diagnose and fix any problems with the transmission.