Two signs that your transmission needs to be repaired

A car's transmission plays an important role in delivering power from its engine to the wheels. If this part of a vehicle malfunctions, it can affect the driver's ability to control the car. Here are two signs that your transmission needs to be fixed by a mechanic.

A red or brownish leak

Transmission fluid acts as a lubricant for your car's gears; it ensures that these important metal components do not grind against one another as they turn. If a hole develops in the transmission pan, fluid hoses or pan gasket through which this fluid flows, these gears will start to deteriorate rapidly.

If you fail to address a transmission fluid leak quickly enough, you may find that you begin to have trouble shifting gears, potentially to the point where you cannot accelerate and reach an appropriate speed when you're out on the road.

As such, it's important to keep an eye out for this type of leak. Transmission fluid is usually a bright red colour but can be brownish if it has not been replaced in quite a while and has, therefore, become contaminated. It may also have a slightly sweet smell. Should you notice this type of fluid on the ground beneath your car, you should take it to a mechanic who provides transmission services immediately.

Strange noises

There are specific types of noises which can indicate issues with a car's transmission. If you can hear a grinding noise every time you change gears, for example, and you notice that the clutch feels quite stiff when you press down on it, this can indicate that the clutch (which is part of the transmission system) has worn out.

If the clutch is not stiff but produces a very loud squealing sound after you lift your foot off of it, this usually means that its pilot bearing has been damaged and needs to be either repaired or replaced.

If the transmission emits noises after you shift into neutral, this might mean that the idler gears have deteriorated and need to be replaced or that the gears' bearings have worn out.

All of these issues are relatively simple for a mechanic to address, provided you bring your car to them promptly. However, if you ignore these type of sounds for too long, these minor problems may turn into more serious ones, which lead to the entire transmission system needing to be replaced.