Recognizing early warning signs of a failing transmission and suspension can help you prevent serious damage and costly repairs. If you notice any of the following signs, visit your auto repair shop as soon as possible for car transmission and suspension repair in Calgary.
Warning signs of transmission failure
Simply put, the transmission is the car’s gearbox that transmits power from the engine to the wheels using gears and automatic or manual gear ratios. Without the transmission, the engine would run but you would not be able to drive the car.
If you’re experiencing any of the following, call for transmission repair in Calgary right away:
- Struggles to change gears or is unresponsive – This is a telltale sign of transmission problems, but it could be as simple as low transmission fluid. It’s important to top these fluids up or have the wrong transmission fluid flushed out before it causes irreversible damage.
- Slipping gears – Gears slipping in and out of sync is a dangerous scenario on the road and can be caused by normal wear and tear. If your gears are slipping, transmission flush repair is necessary.
- Leaking transmission fluid – This fluid is red and smells sweet. If you notice this leak underneath your car, head to an auto repair shop as soon as possible.
- Burning smell – This can be an indicator that your transmission is overheating or the transmission fluid is burning.
- Strange noises when the car is in neutral – Noises when your car is in neutral, can indicate your car needs new transmission oil or maybe a sign of a replacement.
- Grinding or shaking – If the car is grinding or shaking when changing gears in an automatic transmission, it’s an indication of transmission problems.
Warning signs of suspension failure
The vehicle’s suspension is responsible for the overall performance of the vehicle. It smooths out the ride and allows you to control the vehicle when stopping or turning. Here are some signs to watch out for that will tell you you’re due for a suspension repair in Calgary:
- Every bump on the road causes the vehicle to bounce – A rough ride is an indicator that your vehicle’s struts or shocks are wearing out.
- The car dips or lurches forward when stopping – When you apply the brakes firmly and the vehicle ‘nosedives’, there is an issue with the suspension. This sign should never be ignored as a bad suspension increases your stop time by up to 20 percent and increases your risk of an accident.
- Uneven wear on tire treads – If the tread is wearing down unevenly on your tires, it means that the suspension is putting uneven amounts of pressure on the tires. Holding off on suspension repair can decrease the lifespan of your tires, which can be a costly replacement.
- The car drifts or pulls when turning – A bad suspension causes your vehicle to drift or pull when turning because the shocks aren’t able to keep the vehicle stable. This issue increases your risk of a rollover, a good reason to take your vehicle to an auto repair shop right away.
- Fails the ‘bounce test’ – To test your car’s suspension, place your car in park and press down on the front of the vehicle with all of your weight, then release. If the car bounces more than two or three times, it means that your suspension is wearing out.
As a car owner, you know your vehicle the best and can tell when it’s not performing as well as it should. These two vehicle components should never be neglected and problems should be dealt with as soon as you feel that something is off. Even at the smallest sign or minor incident, it’s in your best interest to get the issue fixed as soon as possible before it becomes major damage.
