Understanding How Your Car Runs

Whether you have an automatic or manual transmission, your car's transmission is an integral part of the vehicle. It gives you control over the car by allowing you to switch gears. A problem with your transmission needs to be addressed immediately. Here are three things you should do to diagnose and repair transmission issues:

1. Be on the lookout for liquid under your car.

If your car is dripping puddles of liquid, that's a red flag. Observing the type of liquid coming out of your car can tell you if it's your transmission that's the problem. Red or brown fluid that does not have an oily sheen comes from your transmission. If you see this on the floor of your garage or in a parking stall after your car has been parked for a while, your transmission has a leak. You should take it to a transmission shop immediately, where they can patch the leak before it damages your car any further. Fortunately, leaking transmissions are one of the more inexpensive problems to fix.

2. Pay attention to how it feels to shift gears.

Shifting gears should be easy and natural. If you suddenly find yourself fighting with the gear stick, that can indicate a problem with your transmission. There are a few different issues that could be causing this, so you should allow a professional to take a look at your car. A repairman at the transmission shop will tell you if low transmission fluid is to blame. If it isn't your fluid levels, your solenoids may be to blame. Solenoids control the amount of pressure exerted on the transmission, and if they go bad, they need to be replaced.

3. Decide if it's worth rebuilding your transmission.

If you've been driving around with low transmission fluid for a while, you may have done a lot of damage to your car without realizing it. If your repairman looks under the hood and sees extensive transmission damage, they will need to take out many of the internal components and replace them. This process is called rebuilding your transmission. Unfortunately, rebuilding a transmission can get costly. Depending on how old your transmission is, you may want to replace it instead of having it rebuilt. Ask the transmission shop for a price quote on both a rebuild and a replacement. The price difference can help you decide which option is best for your car.

Contact your transmission shop if you have more questions about what could be going on with your car.