​Transmission issues instill a sense of dread and panic in drivers because you likely won’t know if it’s a simple fix of topping off fluids or needing massive repairs or replacement — the latter of which can quickly give car, truck, and SUV owners sticker shock. It’s a vital part of your car’s operating processes and efficiency, and repairs require expertise and plenty of time to do things right. Ideally, you can catch transmission issues before they devolve, thereby sparing yourself thousands in car repair bills. Here is a list of our transmission failure symptoms you should keep your eyes, ears, and nose attuned to in order to avoid problems down the road.
Burnt Smell
One of the better ways to know if your vehicle is dealing with transmission issues is a burning smell coming from under the hood. This could be that your transmission fluid is low, so the transmission works harder and starts to overheat, melting plastic or wires nearby or connected to it. It could also mean that the transmission fluid is so low, plus the transmission itself overheating, that the remaining fluid starts to burn. While a burning smell could be caused by other sources, such as antifreeze dripping and burning away, it is always bad, and you should absolutely take your car to a transmission service center nearby.
Slipping Gears
This mostly applies to automatic transmission vehicles as manual vehicles have their own gear and clutch problems we’ll get to shortly. That said, if you find that your car, truck, or SUV has trouble shifting between gears, whether accelerating or braking, you likely have a transmission failure symptom in your hands. It’s more of a tactile, “you need to feel it,” transmission issue, but you’ll notice it immediately when driving.
Issues with Your Clutch
For manual transmission vehicles, if you notice that your clutch starts to drag while trying to change gears, your transmission may be in trouble. If you notice any drag with your clutch, keep an ear out for a grinding sound — it usually crops up around the same time.
The Vehicle Won’t Go into Gear
You’ll notice immediately if your car won’t even shift into gear; you’ll be stuck in the driveway or parking lot. It’s most likely going to be a transmission issue, and ideally, it’s only a lack of fluid.
If your Hyundai vehicle is newer, check your Hyundai warranty to see if transmission services are covered.
Vibrating
The earliest transmission failure symptom is if your car vibrates when changing gears. If you ignore this problem, it will begin to shake when shifting gears; you’ll also likely start to notice the other transmission issues we’ve listed above. Bottom line: if your car is vibrating, something is wrong, and you need to find a service center nearby.
Fluid Leaks
One of the common causes of low transmission fluid leading to overheating and the aforementioned burning smell is a fluid leak in your transmission. If you happen to notice a red puddle that smells (absolutely avoid tasting it) sweet, you more than likely have a transmission fluid leak.
Unusual Noises
If you’ve noticed any of the above transmission failure issues in passing and want a quick at-home test if your vehicle is in trouble, turn your car on and let it sit in neutral gear. Strange sounds coming from your vehicle while in neutral for a few minutes indicate that the transmission has some problems that need immediate attention. It could be a faulty part in the transmission; it could be the entire transmission isn’t operating properly. Either way, you need a repair shop.
Transmission Repair in South Florida
When you notice even one of these common transmission problems in your vehicle, take it to our Braman Hyundai service center immediately. Ignoring the problem won’t make it go away, and it certainly won’t get better over time. Catching a transmission issue early enough could save you thousands in repairs, and our team is ready to help diagnose and fix the problem. If you’re in Miami, Hialeah, Coral Gables, Doral, or Fort Lauderdale, contact us or call us at (786) 623-6060 to schedule an inspection appointment to repair or replace your transmission or find a new car or used vehicle to get you back on the road.
