A transmission is one of the most important parts of a car; without it, the wheels couldn't receive the power from the engine and the car wouldn't go anywhere. While the transmission doesn't require as much maintenance as other parts of the car, it still needs your attention every now and then to keep the car running properly. Neglecting your car's transmission could cause multiple problems, but learning how to solve them can prevent a more costly problem from occurring in the future.
Leaking Fluid
Unlike engine fluid, transmission fluid doesn't get used up the more you drive your car. Therefore, if your transmission fluid is low, there must be a leak. Transmission fluid helps create the right amount of pressure in the transmission to power it; if your car doesn't have enough transmission fluid, your transmission can overheat and your entire car can break down. If you feel this happening to your car, or you notice fluid on your driveway leaking from your car, open the hood and read the dipstick to determine if there's enough fluid in the transmission. If there is a leak, put a transmission sealer into your transmission because it will help patch the leak as you drive.
Slipping Gears
In a manual car, your transmission stays in a specific gear until you change it; in an automatic car, your transmission stays in a specific gear until the computer changes it. Either way, your car switching into different gears is essential for it to run smoothly and safely. When the transmission isn't running properly, it can spontaneously slip in and out of gears; you'll know you have this problem if your car isn't accelerating normally. Slipping gears can be caused by low transmission fluid, a worn out transmission band, or a clutch that has become too thin; transmission fluid can be added, and worn out bands and clutches can be easily replaced.
Worn Needle Bearings
Every transmission has a torque converter that contains needle bearings; the needle bearings help prevent the gears from grinding together. When the needle bearings become worn, you'll hear a grinding noise when you're driving your car because there is metal to metal contact. Because the needle bearings are located inside the torque converter, the entire torque converter will either need to be repaired or replaced by a professional.
Ignoring problems with your transmission will not only cost more money in the long run, but it can also cause problems with the other components of your car. Diagnosing and solving transmission problems as soon as possible is the best way to ensure your car stays in good condition and runs safely.
For more information, contact a professional like Interstate Transmission.
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