Your transmission is one of the most important systems within your vehicle, as it is the system that allows your engine to shift upwards and downwards while driving. Any sort of issue with your transmission can thus have a massive effect on your ability to control your vehicle, and can pose a serious safety hazard – not to mention placing greater strain on the engine itself and making other mechanical issues a likely possibility. Fortunately, there are a few things that you can watch out for to determine when you should head in to a mechanic to have your transmission serviced.

Transmission Fluid

The first thing that you should check if you think that your transmission is acting up is the transmission fluid. This fluid is what gives your transmission enough pressure to physically shift the gears in your engine. Over time, dirt and other contaminants can end up in your fluid, which can alter the amount of pressure that it exerts and cause performance issues for your transmission and engine. You can open up the transmission fluid reservoir and take a look at the dipstick to examine the color of the fluid (check the owner's manual for an exact location, but most of the time the reservoir is located near the engine block). The fluid should be a red or orange color: any sort of brown or dark discoloration can point to contaminated fluid that needs to be replaced.

Odd Noises

If you notice that your engine seems to be making irregular noises, especially grinding or banging noises that are accompanied by shaking when your engine either shifts upwards or downwards, the issue could lie with your transmission. Sometimes, the fix is as simple as flushing the fluid, but other times it's a mechanical issue with the clutches or bands within the transmission which are more complicated to fix.

Smell of Burning

Finally, another clear indication that you need to have a professional take a look at your transmission is if you notice that there is a strong smell of burning or smoke coming out of your engine while you are driving. This is especially true if there is any visible smoke coming from under the hood. The reasons for this can be varied, but usually point to excessive friction within the gears of your transmission, or even a complete transmission failure. These types of issues usually come in conjunction with an engine issue, so you'll want to have a mechanic do a holistic examination of your car's mechanics.