One of the most common transmission issues that people face is overheating.
A transmission may overheat for a number of reasons—from contaminated transmission fluid to faulty solenoids. If your transmission’s temperature begins to reach dangerously high levels, it’s important to know how to respond to prevent a total transmission failure or a potentially dangerous scenario. Below, we’ll address the question of what to do if your transmission overheats.
Pull Over Immediately
If you notice any signs that your transmission has begun to overheat, stop driving immediately. Such signs may include a burnt smell, slower shifting response time, or smoke coming from your transmission. Another potential indicator of an overheating transmission is transmission slipping, which may result in random gear changes or jerky responses to gear shifts.
By ignoring such warning signs, you could cause your transmission further damage. Because overheating is the source behind most automatic transmission failures, identifying and resolving the issue early on is vital to preventing a substantial bill from your mechanic. As such, you should pull your vehicle over as soon as possible.
Take Note of Driving Conditions
Once you’ve pulled over, take note of what you’re doing, the weather conditions, and other pertinent factors. In some cases, an overheated transmission is simply the result of overloading your vehicle or driving in extremely hot weather.
In other cases, however, an overheated transmission may be the result of a serious internal issue that you’ll need to address. Taking notes on your driving conditions when your transmission overheated will help a specialist identify the problem and allow you to avoid any actions that may cause your transmission’s temperature to spike again in the future.
Enlist the Help of a Specialist
The next thing to do if your transmission overheats is to contact a transmission specialist. While a general mechanic may be able to resolve any minor transmission issues, a specialist will be the ideal resource for getting to the bottom of more serious problems.
Because the transmission is one of the most complex and expensive components in your vehicle, it’s a good idea to hire someone who works on them consistently and exclusively. That way, you can ensure that your transmission will get the best possible care and avoid issues in the future.