3 Signs Your Jeep Needs a Transmission Service

Regular transmission maintenance ensures your Jeep’s transmission always works efficiently. The transmission is a very complex system, and a minor issue can easily become a serious problem if it’s not fixed. As your Jeep dealership, we’d like you to know some signs you need to visit us for a transmission service.

Burning Smell

Burning rubber has a foul, distinctive odor and can be a sign that the transmission fluid is overheating. Transmission fluid circulates through the transmission and provides the hydraulic power that allows the gears to shift. This fluid also helps cool hot transmission components and protects them against damage by covering them in a friction-reducing coating.

Transmission fluid is heat-resistant, but it loses this resistance over time. Depending on your Jeep model, the fluid is usually replaced between 60,000 and 100,000 miles. If the fluid isn’t replaced, it can start to burn and cause serious transmission damage. We fix this problem by draining and flushing the transmission to remove the old fluid and then refilling the transmission with fresh fluid.

Delayed Shifting

The transmission computer sends instructions to change gears as you speed up or slow down, and the gears should change easily within seconds. Delayed shifting is a sign that something is wrong. If it happens, you’ll see the tachometer rising higher than it should, and you’ll usually hear strange noises from the engine and the transmission as the gears struggle to move to their new positions.

One of the main reasons for delayed shifting is low or old transmission fluid. As we saw above, this fluid is essential for ensuring the gears change. A fluid leak reduces pressure in the system, making it difficult to move the gears. Older transmission fluid is slow and thick due to the accumulation of dirt and other debris, reducing its ability to shift gears quickly. We’ll investigate and fix the problem, so your gears will change smoothly again.

Check Engine Light

Unlike most other systems, the transmission doesn’t have a warning light that signals something is wrong. The reason is that the engine and transmission work so closely together that any issue affecting the transmission will also cause a problem for the engine. If the transmission isn’t working correctly, the engine tries to overcome the problem by working harder, and this causes unnecessary strain on the engine.

Engine sensors will identify the issue and warn your Jeep’s computer. In response, the computer logs the problem and activates the check engine light. If your engine light illuminates, contact us ASAP so our technicians can find and fix the issue before it causes damage.

If your transmission isn’t working as efficiently as it should, contact us right away at Bedford Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram in Bedford, PA.

Tags: Jeep Dealership Bedford PA, transmission service
Posted in Bedford Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram Service | No Comments »