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Periodical maintenance and fluid level checks are enough to keep most transmissions hale and healthy for the lifespan of a car. But problems can sometimes develop out of the blue, so it pays to keep an eye out for signs of gearbox trouble. If you notice any of the following four symptoms, visit your local Ford dealer for prompt transmission repair before the problem worsens.
Aging or Burnt Transmission Fluid
Keeping your transmission fluid in good condition and at a proper level is vital for the health of your gearbox. Transmission fluid keeps the gears lubricated, prevents overheating, cleans away metal fragments from the gears, and maintains suitable pressure to prevent gear slippage. All of these functions fade when the fluid begins to age.
Fresh transmission fluid is usually a clear pink or light red in hue. As it ages, it naturally starts to thicken and darken. If your transmission fluid ever becomes a dark red or brown color, it’s probably too old to work properly. Transmission fluid can also burn if the gearbox starts to overheat, in which case it will turn dark brown and should be flushed without delay.
Visit Your Local Ford Dealership for Fluid Flushing
If you drive an automatic shift, you’ll need to have your transmission fluid flushed at your nearest dealer every 60,000 miles or so. Manual transmissions should be flushed twice as frequently: every 30,000 miles.
Some driving conditions cause transmission fluid to wear down faster. Frequent short trips under five miles or towing heavy trailers, for example, cause the struggling gearbox to run hotter, accelerating the fluid’s decline. So if you often drive under these conditions, consider flushing your fluid more frequently.
Leaking Transmission Fluid
Transmissions can occasionally spring a leak, which leads to a loss in hydraulic pressure and can rapidly cause serious damage if not repaired at once. Leaks can originate from seals in the input shaft, driveshaft, output shaft, and various other places. A reddish fluid dripping under your vehicle is a surefire sign of leaking transmission fluid.
Hesitant Gear Shifting
If problems start to develop in the gear sets, you’ll sometimes notice an odd hesitancy to your gear changes. When you shift, it might take a second or two for the gearbox to get into the new gear properly. This problem shouldn’t be ignored.
Strange Sounds From the Gearbox
Gearbox trouble will usually cause strange sounds when you’re shifting. Grinding sounds indicate that the planetary gear system is struggling. Whirring or humming noises might point to worn-down gear teeth, a malfunctioning reverse idler, or problematic shafts and bearings.
If you suspect transmission problems in your car, visit Brinson Ford Lincoln of Corsicana. We’ve been proudly serving as the premier dealership for Ford vehicles in North Texas for over 30 years
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