Inspecting your transmission is an important aspect of car maintenance. This component is responsible for shifting gears in your engine, thus allowing you to accelerate to higher speeds and keep your automobile in motion. To ensure that you don’t damage your transmission, Fantastik Auto Repair in Honolulu, HI, recommends asking a professional transmission repair technician to inspect the system annually.

Top 3 Signs to Seek Transmission Repair

1. Inexplicable Sounds

Your transmission consists of parts that move freely and are lubricated by transmission fluid. However, if too many contaminants accumulate in the fluid, or if you damage the undercarriage of your car, then your transmission will not function appropriately. In turn, you may hear squeaking or grinding noises when in motion.

2. Burnt Fluid

If you neglect to change your transmission fluid as often as your owner’s manual recommends — it can range from every 15,000, 30,000 or 90,000 miles — then the oil will become burnt. When you’re getting an oil change, ask a transmission repair technician to take a look at the fluid. If it’s dark in color or smells burnt, then you may require car maintenance.

3. Handling Problems

Another symptom of a broken or dysfunctional transmission is difficulty with handling. Whether you have an automatic or manual transmission, your car should always change gears with ease. If you’ve noticed delays while shifting, or sudden movements, then you could require transmission repair.

Knowing how to tell when you need transmission repair will save you from paying high prices for maintenance or replacement. The best way to prevent these problems in the first place is to schedule regular visits with a car repair shop. To learn more about Fantastik Auto Repair, call (808) 842-3777 or visit them online for a full list of services, ranging from brake work, vehicle safety checks, car engine repair, and maintenance tasks.