How to tell if a gearbox is going
Even if you do everything you can to maintain your vehicle, natural wear and tear will eventually cause various components within it to weaken and fail. The gearbox is no exception – and, as with many car parts, failure of a gearbox can have major consequences.
How do you know if your gearbox is going?
Fortunately, there are various telltale signs you can look out for that might give you some warning when your gearbox is on its way out. If you spot one of these signs, it doesn’t necessarily mean your gearbox is about to fail – in fact, many of the symptoms of gearbox wear can occur with other problems as well.
However, if you do notice one or more of the signs we discuss here, it likely means that something is wrong with your vehicle, even if it’s not the gearbox. Whether you’re certain of the problem or have no idea, the best thing to do is to take your car to your local autocentre to have the gearbox checked by an expert mechanic.
Below, we outline some key symptoms that could mean your gearbox needs the attention of a professional.
Fluid leakage
Whether your vehicle relies on manual or automatic transmission, the gearbox uses a lubricant to keep things moving smoothly. If the levels of this oil get too low, problems can occur as friction develops between the moving parts of the gearbox.
This is why it’s so important to check your gearbox oil levels regularly, to ensure that they’re at a safe level and top them up if needed. Levels can drop more quickly than usual if there’s a leak somewhere in the system – so if you notice you’re using up oil quicker than expected, there’s a problem.
If that happens, refill your gearbox oil to a safe level and take your vehicle to a mechanic as soon as possible so the problem can be rectified.
Unusual sounds
As you get used to driving your car, you instinctively get to know the noises that are and aren’t normal for it to make. If you begin to notice unusual sounds coming from your car, that’s usually a sign that something is wrong and it shouldn’t be ignored.
When something’s wrong with your gearbox, you might hear crunching, grinding or clunking noises when you’re changing gear. Any unexpected noises should be investigated, as there could be an underlying problem that needs addressing.
Difficulty shifting gears
Any issues relating to problems changing gear – whether in a manual or an automatic – are generally a sign that there’s something wrong with your vehicle’s transmission system. If you notice any of the following symptoms (or anything else amiss with your gearbox), speak to a mechanic:
- Unresponsive gears
- Shaking or grinding of the gears
- Jerking sensations
- Delay between gear selection and implementation (automatics)
- Vehicle staying in low gears for prolonged periods (automatics).
Check engine light
The check engine or engine management light can come on for a number of reasons, one of which is that there’s a problem somewhere in your gearbox. Though the light can’t tell you exactly what the problem is or where to find it, it can be a helpful clue.
The key thing to remember about the engine management light is that it doesn’t come on for no reason. So, whether the problem is a faulty sensor or something more complex, you should always consult a qualified mechanic if your check engine light comes on. Ignoring it could result in bigger and costlier problems.
Loss of power
When your gearbox loses power, it can look like a lack of acceleration even when you’ve got your foot down. This usually means there’s an inefficiency in transmission – the change of gear isn’t translating all the way from gearbox to engine, so the differences between gears you’d expect don’t happen.
If your revs increase after changing gear but speed doesn’t increase accordingly, that’s a key sign of a problem. As well as gearbox problems, it can also be caused by failing clutch plates or a fault with the master cylinder. Still, it’s worth getting your gearbox checked as soon as you can to help find the problem quickly.
Strange smells
Another potential sign of a gearbox issue is a smell of burning rubber or smoke. This can happen if the gearbox oil begins to burn, meaning the gearbox itself wouldn’t be well lubricated and would feel the effects of friction damage.
Of course, there are other possible causes for a smell of burning rubber, such as a burnt clutch. Whatever the case, if you notice strange smells coming from your vehicle, it could very well be a sign of a major problem – get it checked by a qualified mechanic as soon as you can.
UPDATED
