Feb 21, 2025
transmission service in El Paso, TX

Regularly visiting the Acura dealership for service is important, and getting regular preventative maintenance can help you avoid lots of annoying car problems. However, cars are unpredictable and might sometimes require service in between regular visits. Let’s explore how you can tell when your car needs a transmission service.

4 Signs Your Acura Needs a Transmission Service at Your Local Acura Dealership

1. Your Gears Won’t Switch

If you have a car with an automatic transmission that won’t shift gears, then your car might be telling you your transmission fluid is contaminated. Dirt can build up in the fluid over time, leading to this problem. You need to visit the dealer for regular transmission fluid flushes to avoid this issue. Your car’s failure to switch gears may also be caused by a low transmission fluid level, so stopping by the dealer for top-ups is essential, too.
Sometimes, your gears will switch when you have this issue, but they struggle to. That should signal that it’s time to visit the dealer to see what’s wrong.

2. Your Gears Slip

Slipping gears leads to your engine revving too much when you shift up through the gears. It can also cause your car to shift down a gear later than it should, and the shifts might feel harsh. This makes it harder to control the car, so it could feel like your vehicle won’t accelerate. Or, worse, you might feel like your car is wearing a pair of ice skates on an icy road, so you’ve got no control over it.

Your gears will usually only slip when there’s a problem with your transmission, so visit the dealer for service before the problem happens again and puts you in danger.

3. Your Car Smells Like It’s Burning

When you smell something burning in your car, it’s usually a sign that something is overheating. It can also be a sign that your transmission fluid is burning up because it’s old. Overheated transmission fluid can’t protect your transmission properly, and this can lead to premature wear and tear. If you ever smell something burning in the car, pull over to let the vehicle cool down, and get to a dealership as soon as you can.

4. Your Car Kicks and Shakes

Gear shifts should go smoothly, but if there’s a problem with your transmission, then your car may jolt, kick, or shake when the gears are shifting. You might hear and feel grinding when shifting gears if your car has a manual transmission. Any kind of vibration or unusual sensation at all can signal an issue with the transmission.

Is your Acura letting you know it’s time for a service? Come get one at Fox Acura of El Paso in El Paso, TX.