What are signs of a bad transmission?

Signs of a bad transmission include clunking, whining and humming; lack of response while driving, such as when a car seems to have trouble switching gears; grinding or shaking; and low or leaking fluid. A burning smell, a dragging clutch and a noisy car in neutral are other warning signs.

Transmission repairs and replacements can be expensive. It is advisable to take a car to a garage right away if drivers notice something unusual about a car's transmission, as many problems can be avoided or easily fixed before they become unnecessarily costly. A car's owner's manual usually contains a recommended maintenance schedule. Following this schedule can help reduce transmission problems.