One of the most important components of a vehicle is the transmission. Without a transmission the vehicle won’t run, won’t be able to carry heavy loads, etc. Moreover, the gas mileage of a vehicle is also affected by a faulty transmission. Therefore, to ensure your car is running smoothly and giving you good gas mileage, you should care for the transmission. There are certain issues in auto transmissions that are fairly common. If these issues are detected early on, you won’t have to spend a hefty amount on rebuilds.
Let’s look at the three most common issues with auto transmissions:
Fluid Leak
One of the most common issues with auto transmissions is fluid leaks. This can turn out to be a major problem because the auto transmission fluid serves dual purposes. Firstly, the auto transmission fluid is responsible for lubricating the internal components of the transmission. Secondly, the fluid is also responsible for cooling the transmission down as it overheats while working. This is why a transmission fluid leak should be taken very seriously. If not taken care of in time, it will result in expensive repairs.
Failure of Torque Converter
The torque converter plays an important role in the functioning of an auto transmission. The torque converter acts like a clutch in these transmissions. Since the torque converter is under constant stress, it fails over time. When a torque converter fails, the vehicle doesn’t go into gear. Moreover, even if it does, the car won’t run at all. The engine will run fine, but the transmission won’t transmit any power to the wheels. The transmission needs to be dismantled and the torque converter replaced.
Solenoid Failure
Modern automatic transmissions are controlled electronically. To cater to this solenoids are used. Over time these solenoids fail and your transmission may stop changing gears. Solenoid failure is one of the most common issues with auto transmissions. Fortunately, it is not too expensive to repair.
Now that you know the three most common transmissions issues, you can keep an eye on your vehicle. If you happen to spot any of these problems, be sure to have it repaired right away.