Your motor may be the heart and soul of your powertrain, but your transmission is also a key piece of the puzzle. If your transmission isn’t functioning appropriately, your vehicle may not even go into first gear. If it goes into first gear, it may not leave. Unfortunately, the longer you put off a transmission repair, the more extensive the damage will be. Here are some signs you need to visit your local Chrysler dealer for an emergency service appointment.
1. You Hear Knocking Sounds When You Accelerate Quickly
One of the clearest signs that there is something wrong with your transmission is hearing knocking sounds when you accelerate quickly, decelerate quickly, or change gears. Sometimes, knocking sounds are an indication that there is something wrong with the engine mount.
However, if you only hear knocking sounds during the three aforementioned situations, your transmission mount may be loose or broken. The sooner you get your vehicle in for a repair, the more likely you are to fix the problem before it gets very serious.
2. You Smell Something Wrong
You can also tell that something is wrong with your transmission if you smell something sweet as you walk up to your vehicle. Since your transmission is designed to be a closed system, you will know that you need to schedule an emergency service appointment if you are noticing signs of a transmission fluid leak, like the sweet smell of transmission fluid.
If you smell something sweet as you walk up to your vehicle, check under your vehicle for a pink, red, or brown puddle. Usually, transmission fluid is pink, but it can darken and change color as it ages. If you see transmission fluid pooling under your vehicle, check the reservoir to make sure it doesn’t need to be topped off. If there isn’t enough transmission fluid in your reservoir, don’t drive it until it gets topped off. Insufficient transmission fluid can cause serious damage.
3. You Notice Erratic Gear Shifting
Another sign that your transmission needs to be repaired is erratic gear shifting. If you have an automatic transmission, you may have a very serious problem with your transmission control unit, sometimes referred to as a TCU. If you have a manual transmission, there may only be a problem with your clutch for now.
However, regardless of the type of transmission you have, it is very important to have the problem fixed right away. The longer you go without a transmission service, the more likely you are to experience damaged gears.
Your vehicle has many ways to tell you that there is something wrong with your transmission. For instance, you may hear knocking sounds only during certain circumstances, you may smell something wrong, or you may see something wrong. If you notice any of the aforementioned signs of a damaged transmission, contact us right away at Tom O’Brien Chrysler Jeep Dodge Ram on E 96th St to schedule a service appointment.
Image via jeep.com
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