A mechanic toils away on an old drivetrain.

Is my transmission going bad?

How to tell if your transmission is going bad

Like any automotive-related failure, your transmission will exhibit warning signs that it is failing or starting to malfunction. The longer you wait to address the issue, the more damage you may incur and the more money you’ll have to spend to get it fixed. That being said, there are several signs that indicate your transmission is malfunctioning. Learn more below!

Browse Our Inventory

See

Keep your eyes open and look for the visual signs that the transmission is going bad. If you notice a red fluid leaking, it is likely the transmission fluid, and this issue needs to be addressed immediately.

Hear

Listen for a grinding noise under the hood. While this could be a sign of several things, one of those is a failing transmission. You may be hearing the transmission slipping as it tries to find the correct gear.

Mechanic working on a vehicle

Benefits of driving a low-mileage used vehicle

Smell

Transmission fluid has a distinct smell. Any unusual smell coming from your vehicle is something that should not be ignored. If you’re not sure, keep an eye out for a red fluid leak, as mentioned above.

Feel

As the transmission works to find the correct gear, you may notice a slight, odd jerking feeling as the car struggles to engage the correct gear. If this is accompanied by a grinding noise, you’ll want to get that checked out.

We couldn’t find anything for taste, but then again, there is no part of your car that should ever be tasted. Contact us for more tips and tricks today!