Cars and trucks are necessary for most of us. We rely on them to get to work, run errands, and get the kids back and forth to school and activities, while others rely on them for a livelihood and income. To keep our cars and trucks on the road, we need to treat our machines like our bodies. When we sense something is wrong with our health, we go to the doctor, and when something starts to make noise and perform poorly with our trucks, we take them to the mechanic. There are many complex systems in a car or truck, and they all have to work perfectly in conjunction with one another. When one part starts to break down, others sometimes compensate. But the transmission is a key component that vehicles cannot do without. When that goes, the truck won’t. Learn how to spot transmission problems early so you can get them fixed before they become major problems.

Dashboard Indicator Lights

Your car or truck will tell you there’s a problem. There are warning lights on the dashboard that will tell you something is amiss. If “Service Engine Soon” lights up on your dashboard, it’s not a suggestion. There could be a dozen different things that trigger that warning light. Roll your truck into the garage and have it looked at so you can find out what’s wrong.

Fluid Leaks

There is no scenario anywhere in the world where leaking fluid or water is a good thing. Water in the home is bad, a leaky pipe is bad, and fluid leaks in your engine are bad. If you see a puddle on the driveway or parking lot, then your engine is leaking something, and that’s not good. The transmission fluid in your truck is there to keep the parts lubricated and cool during use. If it’s leaking out, it cannot protect the transmission.

Burning Odor

The smell of something burning is a strong indicator. It usually means that you have a leak somewhere and that fluid is burning off the hot engine or transmission. It’s not a moment to panic over, but don’t let it go on too long. It’s a warning sign of bigger problems on the horizon.

Clunky Sounds When in Neutral

Bumping, clunky sounds from the engine and transmission aren’t the end of the world on their own. If the truck is in neutral, though, it’s a problem. You might be low on transmission fluid, so check the level. If it’s low, add some fluid, and if that doesn’t solve the problem, get it looked at soon.

When you need high-quality repairs and truck parts in NJ, contact HFI Truck Center. We have everything you need to service your truck.