The transmission works with your engine to move your Toyota. As time passes, age or damage can cause problems in the transmission, which will worsen if they’re not repaired. As your Toyota dealership, we want you to know some signs you need to visit us for transmission service.
3 Signs You Need a Transmission Service at Your Toyota Dealership
Check Engine Light
The check engine light illuminates in response to any issue affecting engine performance. Sensors are attached to all vital components in your Toyota. They receive instructions from the computer, and send information back to it on the performance and condition of their connected component. If a problem occurs that the computer can’t fix, it logs it with an error code and activates the check engine light.
If the transmission has a problem, this will also cause the warning light to come on. The engine and transmission work so closely together to move your Toyota that any issue with the transmission will affect engine performance. The engine will work harder to overcome the problem, triggering the warning light. We’ll find and fix the problem, and the warning light will go out.
Gear Slipping
When the transmission changes gears, it should do so smoothly and easily, with the new gear engaging almost immediately. Gear slipping is a potentially dangerous situation where the gears change without warning, usually dropping back to their previous position. Your Toyota will lurch as engine power drops, and you’ll hear harsh grinding as the gears are forced back despite resistance from the transmission.
This issue can be caused by low transmission fluid, as this fluid provides the hydraulic power that allows the gears to shift. It could also be due to a faulty solenoid, worn transmission bands, a torque converter issue, or a problem with the transmission computer. Our technicians will investigate and fix the problem.
Burning Transmission Fluid
Transmission fluid provides hydraulic power for the gears, as we saw above. It also protects countless components from damage by covering them with a friction-resistant coating, and as it circulates, it reduces the temperature inside the transmission. As time passes, it thickens and slows down, losing its heat resistance.
The transmission is a hot environment due to the high-speed movement of countless components, and the lack of heat resistance can cause the fluid to overheat and burn. Burning transmission fluid is very distinctive, as it smells like burning rubber. We’ll drain the old fluid, then flush the transmission to remove any remnants of the old fluid. We then check the transmission to ensure it’s working correctly and refill the fluid.
If you have a transmission problem, contact us ASAP at Fox Toyota of El Paso in El Paso, TX.