Recognizing a problem with these components early prevents serious damage to your vehicle that can prove costly to repair. The following are some of the warning signs that your car has transmission issues.

Gears that don’t switch, struggle to switch, or move randomly to different places can prove dangerous, especially when you’re traveling at high speeds on the highway. Low or incorrect transmission fluid may be part of the problem but something more serious may be responsible.

You’re probably familiar with the sounds that your car makes when it’s working correctly from the hum of the engine to the screech of tires on an emergency stop. If you start hearing noises that you haven’t heard before, such as clunks or a whine, particularly when you shift gears, you most likely have a transmission problem. Too much noise when the vehicle is in neutral could also signal a transmission issue caused by the wrong fluid or indicate gears or bearing that need replacing.

Many issues can turn on the Check Engine light. Your fuel cap may be loose, a sensor may be malfunctioning, or spark plugs may need replacing. There may also be something seriously wrong with your transmission that its sensors detected that you wouldn’t notice otherwise. A quick diagnostic scan can easily determine the source of the light.

If you have your windows rolled down or your vents open to circulate outside air, strange smells become part of your time on the road. But they usually come and go quickly as you pass the source of the odor.

Smells that stay with you or that you notice even when the windows are rolled up and the vents are circulating inside air only are coming from your car, and should be investigated. A burning odor may be a concern.

Transmission fluid that degrades or runs low can overheat and burn, which heats up the engine from excess wear or dirt. Other causes of burning smells may have nothing to do with the transmission, such as leaking coolant or trapped plastic.

Your vehicle depends on multiple fluids such as oil, anti-freeze, and windshield washer fluid to eliminate excessive friction, cool components, or clean glass, among other functions. These fluids can go low as they are used and need refilling for your vehicle to function properly.

Fluids can also go low prematurely because there’s a leak in their delivery system or hoses. Check the drips or puddles that form under your vehicle. Transmission fluid can be red and sweet-smelling when new or darker and toasty-smelling when older.

If you notice liquids under your car, warm up the engine by driving for a short distance. Then check the transmission dipstick. (You’ll find instructions for doing this in your owner’s manual.) If it shows that your transmission fluid is low, you most likely have a leak.

You can add more transmission fluid to quickly address the issue. But your transmission may need resealing for a permanent solution.

Shaking

When transmissions change gears, they do so smoothly and seamlessly for automatics. If your vehicle shakes or vibrates when you shift gears, something is going on with the transmission. You may be tempted to ignore this inconvenience, but the problem only gets worse with time until your gears are destroyed. A simple adjustment may be all that is needed to eliminate the excessive vibration.

If you suspect a transmission problem, the easiest fix is to get your vehicle checked at the Service Department at Chevrolet of Bloomsburg near Dansville, PA. Our factory-certified technicians can determine what is wrong and recommend a fix. Taking your car in for regularly scheduled maintenance can prevent many of these problems because a transmission check is included. Take advantage of the first free maintenance visit offered by Chevy on all new cars.