Transmission problems like lack of regular maintenance and low fluid typically require immediate attention. Car owners with these issues should call for roadside assistance to prevent the issue from worsening and damaging their engines by driving. Here are a few transmission issues to look for that may leave you stranded.

What Are the Signs That You Have Transmission Problems? 

1. Gears Won’t Engage

When you change speed or adjust the gear shifter, the car should quickly react by speeding up or slowing down. In a vehicle with a manual transmission, you may feel a slight pause as the engine adjusts. Automatic cars may make a higher pitch noise when speeding up, or a lower pitch sound while slowing down.

If the vehicle doesn’t change gears, the shifter cable may be broken or stretched too thin, preventing it from interacting with the shifter and the transmission. This problem will prevent the car from shifting gears, leaving you unable to control it. However, newer cars won’t let you remove the key without switching to neutral, so you may not be able to leave the vehicle until this issue is fixed.

2. Leaking Transmission Fluid

Transmission fluid is usually green, pink, or red, and features a base oil plus additives to promote lubrication. Cars need this mix to protect the transmission and gears from friction, which helps keep the parts clean and from overheating while operating.

You may notice a leak under the car if the transmission pan seal or fluid lines are broken due to trauma, heat, or wear. You’ll need roadside assistance if you notice a leak while away from home, like in a parking lot or at a gas station. Without ample fluid, the vehicle may overheat or grind the gears, damaging the transmission. 

3. Odd Noises

You may notice sudden unidentifiable humming, clunking, or whining while driving. These noises can indicate that the transmission fluid is separating because of water buildup from rain or a broken coolant fluid line. This watered-down liquid will no longer prevent the gears from costly friction damage because it is runny and doesn’t provide lubrication. 

4. Burning Smells

An overheating transmission may give off the scent of burning as the metal gears grind against one another. This situation may happen if the transmission fluid is old and separating, or if it’s running low. Driving the car to a mechanic can worsen the damage, racking up the bill, and increasing the burning smell. 

If you need roadside assistance, contact OHS Towing in Flathead Valley, MT. The 24/7 towing company features an on-sight mechanic shop to make emergency repairs and get you back on the road. Call the Columbia Falls-area roadside assistance company at (406) 892-1600, or visit the website to learn about their vehicle towing.