With a healthy transmission, shifting gears should be smooth and effortless. If you ever feel or hear something strange when shifting, you might be in need of transmission repair. Here are four indications of transmission trouble to look out for. If you experience any one of them, visit your nearest Ford dealer for repairs before the issue develops into something more serious.
Does Your Ford Need Transmission Repair?
Leaking Transmission Fluid
Transmissions transfer the power of your engine to your wheels. As you can imagine, this creates a great deal of pressure, friction, and heat inside the gearbox. Transmission fluid serves the critical function of lubricating the gears while also cooling things down and cleaning debris out of the mechanism.
If your transmission ever springs a leak, your gearbox will rapidly break down. In the case of a leak, you might notice a reddish fluid pooling under your car. You can use the dipstick to check your transmission fluid level. If it has fallen dramatically because of a leak, have a professional take a look as soon as possible.
Grinding Gears
When gears first start to struggle, you’ll often hear them grinding awkwardly when you shift. If you hear this grinding, your fluid might be low or aging. Most transmission problems are due to low fluid.
Your transmission synchronizer might also be faulty. Your clutch might also not be disengaging properly. There are various other potential causes of grinding gears. You’ll need a technician to diagnose the problem.
Slipping Gears
If your transmission trouble worsens, you might start to experience slipping gears. Your car will struggle to shift, or it might suddenly shift gears on its own. You’ll probably notice higher-than-usual RPMs and revving. Your fuel economy will diminish, and you’ll likely see the check engine light come to life on your dashboard.
Once again, the most common cause of slipping gears is low or degraded transmission fluid. The various clutches and bands in your transmission might also be faulty. Alternatively, some of your gears might be rounded out, or you might have a faulty solenoid or torque converter.
Stuck Gears
One of the worst gearbox problems is when your gearbox sticks and refuses to shift. This might be due to something as simple as your solenoid or shift lock release malfunctioning. But it might also point to more serious issues.
Flush Fluid Often at Your Local Ford Dealer
Good fluid is the lifeblood of your transmission. For automatic cars, transmission fluid should be flushed every 60,000 miles. For manual shifts, this should be every 30,000 miles.
If you diligently have your fluid flushed and refreshed as scheduled, you’re far less likely ever to experience transmission trouble. There’s no reason why a well-kept gearbox shouldn’t last for the lifetime of your car.
Visit Murray Ford Starke today to have your transmission inspected and flushed. We’re a local family-owned dealership providing great vehicles and great service.
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