Can You Drive with a Faulty Transmission?

How do you know if your transmission is going out?

Early detection of possible problems with your vehicle can save you inconveniences of a broke down car, money and prevent more severe damage. As a vehicle owner, it is vital to learn signs of potential problems so that you can get professional auto repair before the problem becomes a more significant issue. With the transmission, here are ten telltale warning signals that could keep you from having to pay for expensive transmission repair:

1. Won’t Switch Gears
   When a vehicle struggles or won’t switch gears is the first warning sign, something is wrong with the transmission. It could need transmission fluid added, or you may be looking at possible transmission repair. 
2. Burning Odor
   A burning odor coming from your vehicle, you need to take it to your mechanic promptly. Burning odors coming from any part of your vehicle isn’t good, but the transmission could be overheating or out of transmission fluid. 
3. Noisy Neutral Gear
   Noises coming from a vehicle when it is neutral is a strong indication the transmission has problems. A transmission flush may fix it. It may need a transmission repair or replacement. 
4. Gears Slipping
   When you feel your vehicle slip out of gear impulsively while driving down the road, it can be alarming and scary, and it can be hazardous. You need to get your vehicle to an experienced mechanic immediately.  
5. Clutch Drags
   When a clutch drags, it can’t disengage from the flywheel when you press in the clutch pedal. 
6. Fluid Leaking
   Transmission leaking is the most straightforward problem to identify, so when you find a red fluid with a sweet-like smell under your vehicle, have your mechanic check the transmission fluid. It will likely need some added, but if the leak is bad enough, your vehicle needs either a transmission repair or replacement. 
7. The Check Engine Light
   A check engine light can be an indication of many different things for a vehicle and needs an experienced mechanic to inspect your vehicle.
8. Grinds or Shakes
   Grinding and shaking transmission is often an indication that the transmission is having issues and needs to be checked by a mechanic. 
9. Clunking, Humming, Whining Sounds
   A vehicle transmission making any of these sounds is not good and needs a mechanic inspection immediately. 
10. Transmission Unresponsive
    If you put your vehicle in gear and it doesn’t respond, there is probably something wrong with the transmission. 

Can you fix broken transmission?

A transmission repair is when the bare minimum number of parts are replaced to get your transmission in working again. Typically, it is only fixing a specific part and is the least expensive option. A transmission rebuild is when the complete transmission is disassembled and inspected, what is included in transmission repair? Any damaged, failing, or worn parts are replaced and should be done by an experienced transmission specialist. Not all mechanics are experienced in transmission repair. 

 Why transmission repair instead of a rebuild or replacement? Because it is the least expensive way to go when possible. Some transmission problems cannot be taken care of with transmission repair as if it gets drove without transmission fluid.        

Can you drive with a bad transmission?

Yes, sometimes, but it isn’t recommended. If the only issue you’re having your vehicle’s transmission is the fluid keeps leaking out, you can keep refilling it. This service is a temporary fix, though. Eventually, it will quit working because running out of transmission fluid is hard on a transmission, just like running out of gas and oil are hard on your car’s engine.