The transmission is by far the most complex and hard-working part of your car. Gearboxes perform an incredible feat in transmitting the full force of your engine to the wheels while shifting seamlessly through various gears. But as with any complex piece of machinery, things can occasionally go awry. If you ever notice one of the following seven issues, consider visiting your nearest Ford dealer for transmission repair before the problem worsens into a very expensive repair job.
Slipping Gears
One of the most disconcerting transmission problems is slipping gears. This means some of your gears are worn and are no longer gripping properly.
As a result, you might find your car suddenly changing gears or popping into neutral all on its own. Aging or leaking transmission fluid will often lead to slipping gears.
Sticking Gears
Malfunctioning gears might also refuse to shift, which can be almost as dangerous as slipping gears while you’re out on the road. Gears can eventually start to stick as a result of normal wear and tear to the gear teeth. But it might also be caused by a faulty master cylinder, broken hub sleeve, or something else.
Revving While Shifting
When gears start misbehaving, you’ll often find the engine revving unexpectedly when you’re trying to shift. This revving occurs as the engine tries ineffectually to transmit power through to the new gears, which aren’t slotting into place properly.
Delayed Gear Shifts
When a gearbox first starts to have trouble, you may notice a delay of one or two seconds between your shift and the gears finally locking into place. Delayed gear shifting is likely to get worse if not repaired promptly by a mechanic.
Grinding Gears
When gears are low on lubricating fluid, you might hear them grinding noisily against each other. Sometimes this can be fixed by simply topping up or flushing your transmission fluid.
Whining Sounds
Automatic transmissions may emit high-pitched whining sounds when they have problems. The whining might be caused by worn-down gears, a faulty fluid pump, a slipping clutch, a clogged fluid line, or a bad torque converter.
Burning Fluid Smells
Transmission fluid is vital to the proper functioning of any gearbox. If your transmission fluid grows too old, it will start to burn under all the heat and pressure.
You’ll eventually be able to detect this burning smell in the cabin above. If you do, it’s best to have the fluid refreshed immediately.
Visit Our Ford Dealer for Transmission Servicing
Given how hardworking your transmission is, it’s important never to miss a transmission servicing visit. The servicing process involves using a cleaning agent to remove any buildup of sludge inside the transmission, refreshing the fluid, and carefully testing your transmission’s performance. It’s generally recommended to have a transmission service every 30,000 miles, or every two years.
Have your transmission examined and repaired at Beechmont Ford in Cincinnati, OH! For over thirty years, we’ve been serving the region’s drivers with a philosophy of respect and honesty in all that we do.
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