When it comes to transmissions, detecting issues early and addressing them immediately is vital. Early warning signs that are ignored will often lead to much larger and more expensive concerns, especially in an area like the transmission.
At Tip Top Transmissions, we’re here to help with all areas of transmission repair, including helping you recognize the early signals that such repair is needed in the first place. One such sign? Low transmission fluid, which is a slippery liquid that lubricates everything inside the transmission and also serves as a coolant in many vehicles. Let’s go over a few of the symptoms of low transmission fluid, which can lead to major grinding and other friction-related concerns if it’s not addressed.
Shifting Problems
For many people, one of the earliest signs of low transmission fluid is issues with shifting gears. This is most common for those with manual transmissions, who will notice this every time they attempt a shift.
However, know that this problem can exist for automatic vehicles as well. Automatic cars have gears as well, even if you aren’t the one manually changing them, but you may notice this issue through a disparity when accelerating that’s different from the normal. For manual owners who notice delays or a missing response when shifting, this could mean an even worse failed transmission.
Overheating Concerns
One of the single most common reasons for failing transmissions is overheating, and this can also be an early warning sign that more fluid is needed. Fluid temperature should stay at 200 degrees Fahrenheit or lower at all times – if it’s above this, your fluid could either be low or ineffective.
Transmission Slipping
When we talk about “slipping” in a transmission, we’re referring to a situation where the engine speeds up but the vehicle fails to respond. It’s due to a loss of synchronization between the engine and the vehicle, and is one of the symptoms of low fluid that doesn’t allow gears to engage properly.
Physical Leaks
And finally, one of the simplest signs of low transmission fluid is visible leaks of the fluid itself. This is a very recognizable fluid – it’s clear bright red, and comes with a sweet smell that makes it almost impossible to miss. It will be found underneath the car, specifically the engine compartment. If the fluid smells burnt or has turned a darker shade, this could mean you have too little ATF and have other issues to take care of.
For more on the signs of leaking transmission fluid, or to learn about any of our transmission or auto repair services, contact the pros at Tip Top Transmissions today.