With the amount of things that can go wrong with your car, it’s almost surprising these complex machines work at all. And as the auto repair pros at Bloomington, IN’s best car maintenance company, Ken’s Westside Service & Towing, can tell you, it’s important to know when something is wrong. This is especially the case when it comes to your transmission. As an absolutely critical part of your vehicle, a problem here can be completely disruptive.

So how can you tell you need transmission repairs? Here are four unmistakable signs:

• Leaking Fluid: One of the most common issues you’ll encounter when your transmission is starting to fail is fluid leaking when the car is parked. Since transmission fluid doesn’t burn up, if you’re running low, it’s almost certainly a leak.
• Warning Light: Newer vehicle models can sense transmission issues and have indicator lights that go off when there’s a problem. These will sense temperatures that are too high, as well as vibrations that are the result of issues with the system. When the light goes off, check the coolant and fluid levels and bring your car in for transmission repairs.
• Strange Odors: Transmission fluid has a sweet, tart odor. But if you smell burning while driving, there is a transmission problem. Since the transmission consists of a great deal of moving parts, it’s important that it remains lubricated. A funky smell means the fluid is failing at this task.
• Loud Sounds: Transmission issues also lead to unfamiliar, often loud sounds. Drivers of stick-shift vehicles will hear a grinding noise when changing gears, and in automatic transmission cars, there will be a whining, buzzing, or humming sound. Any number of issues can be happening here, so you would need a mechanic.

If you need transmission repair services in or around Bloomington, IN, bring your car in to Ken’s Westside Service & Towing. Learn more about these dedicated auto pros online or by calling (812) 336-9050