Automobiles are not the type of machines that you can passively own. They’re extraordinarily complex machines which are in need of regular monitoring, attention, and care.
One of the things that you need to constantly be monitoring is your vehicle’s transmission. Without a properly functioning transmission, your car is as good as dead.
In order to keep your transmission operating at optimal levels, it needs to be lubricated with clean transmission fluid. This necessitates the flushing and changing of fluid around every 30,000 miles.
Looking for some signs that you should have your transmission flushed? You’ve come to the right place.
- Grinding Noises
One of the most obvious signs that your automobile is in need of a transmission flush is if it’s making loud grinding noises while being operated. These noises come about because the gears within the transmission are not being properly lubricated.
There are two general causes for gears which are not properly lubricated. One cause is that there is not enough transmission fluid in the transmission. The other reason is that the transmission fluid is deteriorated and debris-ridden.
Transmission fluid becomes this way from being used over and over again. The only way to get rid of it is by flushing it out.
- Difficulty Shifting Gears
Regardless of whether your drive an automatic or manual automobile, its ability to shift gears will be affected by excessively dirty transmission fluid.
Because dirty transmission fluid is filled with so much debris, it can often experience difficulty making its way through the miniscule gears contained within the transmission. This will sometimes produce a great deal of roughness when you’re attempting to shift gears.
If you allow dirty transmission fluid to flow for too long, it can have a severe and negative long-term impact on your transmission.
- Slipping
Not only can deteriorated transmission fluid make it difficult to shift gears, but it can also make it difficult to stay in gear. When a gear cannot stay consistently locked in, it will slip, causing a slight jerking motion in your automobile.
A jerking motion such as this can not only hurt your transmission, but can also be difficult to handle while driving. In essence, creating unsafe driving conditions.
However, flushing and changing your transmission fluid should help rectify the problem.
- Sense-Assaulting Transmission Fluid
Another sign that your transmission needs flushed is if it’s assaulting your senses (ie. producing horrible odors and possessing an unsightly appearance).
Over time, as transmission fluid is used over and over again, it will start to become burned and charred. This burning and charring will not only cause the fluid to become thick and sludgy, it will also cause it to turn a dark black color.
Additionally, if your car routinely smells of smoke and burnt debris, there’s a decent chance that your transmission fluid is the culprit.
If you want to check your vehicle’s transmission fluid, you can do it by following these steps.
- Delays and Surges
Does your car have a tendency to “jump” out of nowhere? Is it not readily responsive to when your foot hits the accelerator? If so, the transmission fluid could likely be the problem.
Again, as this fluid ages, it gets dirtier and dirtier. The dirtier that it becomes, the less fluid is able to make its way through the transmission.
What happens as a result of this is inconsistent transmission operation. Sometimes it runs smoothly, sometimes it grinds, and sometimes it does a variety of things in a short amount of time.
Change your transmission fluid and the problem will likely go away.
Have Your Transmission Flushed By a Professional
If you’re experiencing any of the signs above, it’s time to have your transmission flushed. Looking to have your transmission flushed by a professional in Chicagoland? We here at King Transmission have got you covered.
As a company that’s been in business in Chicago and Elmhurst since 1954, we’re beyond experienced in flushing the transmissions of a variety of different automobile and truck models. We’ll have no trouble flushing yours.
Contact us to schedule an appointment today!
