Most car owners don't know very much about their transmission. If this is true for you, this post can help you identify transmission issues when they come up.

Signs of a Transmission Issue

Most drivers who aren't car enthusiasts generally don't know too much about the different parts in their car, and that's ok. You don't have to know exactly how each part functions or how to fix them in order to keep your car healthy. However, it is very important that you at least understand the basics and are able to detect issues when they come up. With that said, one of the systems in your car that you will have to keep an eye on is the transmission. Neglecting to take care of transmission issues when they come up can lead to tricky repairs that can take a serious toll on your wallet. Before this happens, check out these indicators of a transmission issue.

Get to Know Your Transmission

If you've never stopped to consider what the transmission in your car does, you're not alone. Since it doesn't require maintenance as often as other parts, not many people pay much attention to it. With that said, the transmission is actually very important and should be taken care of well. This part is in charge of ensuring the right amount of power from your engine reaches the driveshaft. This will ensure your wheels receive the right amount of power for the speed you're driving at. Because of this, it should come as no surprise that your transmission is also behind smooth gear shifts in automatic cars as well as standard cars. Since it's constantly working and shifting, your transmission does receive a significant amount of wear and tear. Maintenance is the key to keeping it in good shape as well as knowing what to look out for so that you can detect issues before they have a chance to grow.

Hesitates to Go Into Gear

Generally, as you shift gears things will go smoothly. In fact, they go so smoothly that you never even stop to notice what may be going on underneath it all as you make the shift. However, if your transmission has an issue, these gear shifts will no longer be smooth. Your car may refuse to go into gear or may hesitate to do so. Refusing or hesitating to go into gear is never normal, but rather a sign of trouble. If you notice a delay between when you shift gears and when the gear is engaged, take your car into the shop to get it checked out.

Shaking and Jerking

A shaking or jerking car isn't normal, so don't let these indicators go unresolved. Oftentimes, shaking, jerking, and grinding sounds can point to issues in the gears found in your transmission. These symptoms will often also be accompanied by your car taking a bit to wiggle into gear when you make a gear shift. As you shift into further gears, the shaking and jerking can become more noticeable and jarring. Before things are allowed to get worse, take your car over to your mechanic to get it diagnosed and fixed. Keep up with your car maintenance by checking on your transmission fluid. If it's time to say goodbye to your old fluid, check out AMSOIL's Signature Series Fuel-Efficient Synthetic Automatic Transmission Fluid. While you're at it, it may also be time for a synthetic oil change in San Diego, CA. Call Synthetic Oil Inc. at (800) 653-0323 or stop by their online shop to find all the products you need for your car.

Burning Smell

A burnt smell coming from your car is never a good sign no matter where it's coming from. This smell won't always be a sign of your engine overheating (although that's quite common, and may actually point to issues in your transmission. If your transmission fluid is old, it can start to break down allowing the system to get hotter than usual. Old fluid, low fluid, or even using the wrong kind of fluid can cause an increase in friction, corrosion, and sludge formation in your transmission. Before your transmission overheats, make sure your fluid is still in good shape. If it isn't, now's a good time to flush it and fill up with brand new fluid.

Slipping out of Gear

If your car suddenly slips out of gear while you're driving, there's no way you won't notice this. If your transmission is working fine, there's no reason for it to slip out of gear until you decide to shift gears. This is an obvious sign of transmission issues that you should not ignore. Not only will ignoring it allow the issue to grow, but it can also be dangerous while you're on the road. Get your car inspected as soon as you can so that you can get this resolved before further issues arise.

Synthetic Oil Change in San Diego, CA

Keeping your transmission healthy is just as important as maintaining your engine in top shape. Luckily, you can find all the products you need for both with the help of Synthetic Oil Inc. Give them a call at (800) 653-0323 for the personalized service you need.