3 Signs Your Mazda Needs a Transmission Service

 

The transmission is the second most complicated system in your Mazda. It’s responsible for transferring engine power to the wheels to enable them to move at the desired speed. As time passes, age, heat, and friction cause components to wear out, and the transmission will develop issues. As your Mazda dealership in Vancouver, WA, we can fix any potential transmission problem. We’d like you to know a few signs you need to visit us for a transmission service.

How to Tell When Your Mazda’s Transmission Needs Maintenance

Burning Transmission Fluid

Transmission fluid provides the hydraulic power that allows the gears to shift. It also protects them against friction by coating them in a friction-resistant covering. This is important, as many transmission components depend on friction to work effectively. Finally, the fluid has a cooling effect on the hot components, reducing wear and tear.

The fluid is heat-resistant, but it loses this property as it ages. The high temperatures inside the transmission can cause older fluid to overheat and even burn. Burnt transmission fluid produces a foul, burning rubber stench and can’t supply hydraulic power. Gears may not shift or slip, and driving will become dangerous. We’ll flush the transmission to remove the old fluid, check to ensure the transmission isn’t damaged, and then refill the fluid.

Damaged Sensors

Your transmission contains numerous sensors that monitor its activity. These sensors check the hydraulic pressure, air intake, fluid pressure, and speed. This information is sent to the transmission computer, which uses it to ensure the transmission works correctly. Sensors can fail in time, and this has a serious impact on the transmission’s effectiveness.

Sensor failure forces the transmission computer to guess when making decisions,  causing further damage if it guesses wrongly. We can test the sensors and quickly replace any damaged ones to fix this issue.

Strange Noises

A healthy transmission doesn’t make any noises as it shifts gears. You should only feel the increase or decrease in speed caused by the new gear. Transmission noises can be caused by various issues, ranging from low transmission fluid to broken transmission bands or a failing torque converter. The one thing they have in common is they will grow louder as time passes, and more damage will be caused until the problem is fixed.

 A failing torque converter, for example, produces grinding or rattling noises that will morph into a whining noise. Gears will slip, the transmission will shudder, and you feel a sluggish response from the gas pedal. Since the engine and transmission work closely together, your engine will also suffer damage. We can prevent these things from happening by finding and fixing the problem.

If you suspect something is wrong with your transmission, contact the experts at Alan Webb Mazda in Vancouver, WA.

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