Are you hearing or feeling unusual noises or vibrations while driving? Is your car having trouble shifting gears or are the RPMs climbing abnormally? These are all symptoms of a transmission going bad - ignoring them can result in costly repairs or even transmission failure.
But how do you know if your transmission is failing? Early detection of transmission problems can save you hundreds, if not thousands, of dollars while also preventing further, more serious damage to your vehicle. Here's a list of five of the most common symptoms of a bad transmission to help you out.
1. Check Engine Light
The most obvious sign is your trusty dashboard check engine light. While it's not the most pleasant of views, it can save you from disaster. The check engine light can be a warning for many things. One of them is transmission problems. If you see this light turning on, make sure to have it checked out at your local repair shop.
2. Difficulty Shifting Gears
Either with a manual or automatic transmission, shifting should happen effortlessly. Noticing any signs of resistance or difficulty is a telltale sign of transmission problems.
3. Grinding, Jerking, or Shaking
Is your transmission grinding, jerking, or shaking? Well, if the answer is yes, we have some bad news. You might be long overdue for a transmission checkup or repair. Make sure to take care of this problem the moment you spot it because it can escalate quickly.
4. Grinding Or Metallic Noises
Grinding or, in the worst case, metal-to-metal noises are a bad sign. If you are hearing such sounds coming from your transmission, something inside the transmission may have won out and become loose, causing damage.
5. Spongy Clutch Pedal
Is your clutch pedal feeling spongy or softer than usual? Then a visit to a repair shop is required because it might get worse. It can completely go loose and bottom out - making shifting impossible.