By paying attention to your vehicle's transmission as time goes on, you should be able to catch any signs that a problem is developing so you can have it fixed before that problem becomes too serious or expensive. Following are a few signs to look out for when you're on the road that could mean that your vehicle needs transmission repairs:

Shifting While Driving

There are a variety of changes in shifting performance that can be expected if your transmission is starting to slip. If a slipping transmission fails, it could mean spending hundreds if not thousands of dollars on a repair or replacement. So it's important to know what signs of slippage to look for so you can get your transmission inspected and repaired before it completely fails. If your transmission starts slipping, you may notice one or more of the following:

• Whining or light clanking sounds when you shift gears.

• The gear suddenly changes while driving even though you haven't shifted.

• Seemingly under-powered vehicle performance.

• Acceleration isn't responding as quickly as it should.

It's a good idea to have your transmission inspected by a professional as soon as possible if you notice any of these signs while driving.

Shifting Engagement

You may also notice that shifting engagement is delayed before you even get on the road if your transmission is starting to have performance problems. For instance, if you want to back out of your driveway and you shift your vehicle's gears from park to reverse, the transmission would take a few seconds to engage before it actually shifts and you are able to drive backward.

You might even have to shift back and forth between park and reverse a couple of time to get the transmission to properly engage. At the first sign of delayed engagement, you should have the vehicle taken to your service provider for an inspection and transmission tune up.

Unpleasant Smells

While the fluid in your transmission should keep all its parts moving and performing properly, it's also responsible for keeping the system cool so it doesn't overheat while you're on the road. If your transmission emits an unpleasant burning smell while you drive, or if you notice the smell after parking and getting out of your vehicle, you may be running low on transmission fluid.

This could be a sign that there is a leak in the transmission that needs to be repaired, so it's important to have it checked out by a professional before just adding more fluid and getting back on the road. Either way, the unpleasant smell is a sign that it's time to get to the auto shop.

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