Whether you’re putting your car through the normal rigors of daily driving or you’re running a taxi service, you’re going to need to get it repaired at some point. That’s just the reality of driving a car day in and day out; eventually, something is going to go wrong. And not only are you going to need to get your car repaired, you’re going to need it done fast. If you rely on your car for work or to get to work, you can’t afford to wait on some cut-rate shop to straighten it out. You need a quality car repair shop to keep you running. However, you don’t want to waste your time and money taking your car to the shop for something that’s not actually a problem. Here are a couple of warning signs for transmission problems, so you can get them taken care of before they become a big deal:
Grinding Gears
When your gears start grinding, you might hear or feel it. In some cases, you can actually feel and hear it at the same time. With an automatic, it’s easiest to pinpoint when you head up a hill or step on the accelerator. The car will grind as it changes gears. The first thing you should do is check on your transmission fluid. You need to wait first until your car calms down; it’s much safer that way. Then, you should turn the car on and pop the hood. Pull the dipstick for the transmission fluid. If the transmission fluid looks dark or if it’s low, you probably need a transmission flush. A quality car repair shop in NYC can flush your transmission in no time.
Slipping Gears
Slipping gears usually indicate that you have a bigger problem. Slipping gears occur when you’re driving, and your car suddenly loses velocity. Your engine RPMs will likely spike as if you’re accelerating in neutral. Oftentimes, it will then catch again, and your car can lurch forward. This can be incredibly dangerous, and if your transmission is slipping, you need to go to a car shop soon.
Lagging Shifts
A lagging shift can oftentimes feel like a slipping gear, but it occurs when your car tries to change gears. You’ll likely feel it when you press the accelerator. Your car will lag before lurching forward as the car finds the next gear. This is oftentimes an indication of dirty transmission fluid; however, it could also mean that you have a serious mechanical issue. The professionals at a car repair shop can typically tell what is wrong and fix it before it becomes a serious transmission problem.
