Mike Kelly Mitsubishi Blog

Most drivers use an automatic transmission, and these highly sophisticated gearboxes make driving a whole lot easier. But it’s important to pay attention to signs of transmission trouble and act to fix budding issues early on. Here are five warning signs that you should visit your local Mitsubishi dealership for transmission repair right away.

WHINING SOUNDS

Automatic transmissions will often emit whining sounds when trouble’s afoot. This sound might be caused by various issues, so it’s difficult to diagnose without the help of a trained technician.

Usually, if you only hear whining whenever the transmission is in gear, then you probably have a faulty torque converter. If the whining only occurs while you’re reversing, you might have a clogged fluid line. And if the whining only occurs when you try to shift gears, you might have a problem with the cogs of the overall planetary gear system.

HESITANT SHIFTING

If you notice a lag before your transmission goes into gear, then you might have low fluid, a faulty solenoid, clogged filters, or clutch issues. Delayed gears will often be accompanied by high engine revving as the engine struggles to transmit power through the gears to the wheels.

GRINDING AND SHUDDERING

Painful grinding noises and shuddering vibrations are usually bad signs. They indicate moving parts rubbing together with too much friction, possibly from an inadequate amount of transmission fluid.

If this occurs inside the planetary gear system, you might have an expensive repair job on your hands. If you hear grinding or feel vibrations from the gearbox, it’s best to stop driving and have a technician take a look as soon as possible.

LEAKING FLUID

Transmission fluid is vital to the proper functioning of any gearbox. The fluid keeps everything fully lubricated. It also helps maintain hydraulic pressure and cleans out debris and contaminants from the system. When a leak occurs, it can very quickly lead to serious problems.

In fact, fluid leaks are one of the most common causes of other transmission issues. So if you suspect any kind of trouble, pull over and search for signs of leaking transmission fluid: a translucent dark red liquid.

HOW A MITSUBISHI DEALER CHECKS YOUR TRANSMISSION

When you take your car in for transmission servicing or repairs, the technician will first draw data from your onboard computers using an interfacing tool. They’ll then search for corrosion, leaks, cracks, and external signs of wear and tear. They’ll check your fluid levels and top your fluid up or replace it if necessary.

If necessary, they’ll also run your transmission through a series of tests, including testing the performance while in gear, in neutral, and in reverse, timing upshift and downshift speeds, and more.

Have your transmission inspected and repaired today at Mike Kelly Mitsubishi. We’re a full-service dealership offering the region’s Mitsubishi drivers an extensive range of vehicles and car maintenance services at competitive prices.