How to Spot Transmission Problems in Your BMW
How to Spot Transmission Problems in Your BMW
You’ve bought a BMW because you love the feel of high-quality German engineering. It’s a great decision.The vehicle will treat you well if you look after it well. But, like all vehicles, it’s subject to wear and tear.
One area that you do have to watch out for is the transmission. Transmission issues are one of the main reasons for BMW and Mercedes Repair Orlando . It’s one of those issues that you need to get taken care of ASAP.
If you’re looking for a quality service center in the Winter Park area, then look no further than Dealer Service Alternative. Our service center is the top destination for all your BMW, Mercedes, Audi, and Volkswagen needs. We take pride in making all of your automotive solutions as easy, convenient, and stress-free as possible.
In this post, we’ll tell you what signs indicate transmission problems. That way, you can catch the issues before there is serious damage done.
Your Check Engine Light Looks Like a Christmas Tree
A BMW is a pretty smart car. It’s good at self-diagnosis. If it picks up that there’s an issue with the transmission, you’ll see the transmission light on. So why are we talking about the check engine light here?
If something is wrong with your transmission, it will impact the rest of the engine. The car will then detect that there’s a problem with the engine and the warning light will come on. If either warning light is on, you need to get your car in for a check.
A trained specialist will be able to tell you what the problem is pretty quickly.
Your Car Does the Shake, Rattle, and Roll
If your car is shaking noticeably, there’s a problem. If it’s related to the transmission, this will worsen when accelerating or travelling at high speed. It could also happen when driving slowly.
It’s Harder to Shift Gears
When your BMW is working smoothly, shifting gears is effortless. Whether you have an automatic or manual, problems with the transmission make it harder to change gears. This, in turn, means driving in the wrong gears and that’s going to cause issues.
It might even be undrivable. The car has a built-in safety feature or limp mode. In this mode, you have to get it towed – it’s not going anywhere on its own. The feature is in place to prevent further driving and engine damage.
Transmission Fluid Leaks
Leaking fluid is not usually a good thing. But there are a lot of different fluids that could leak out. Let’s go through some of these and how you can identify them. It could be:
- Water : Water is clear and colourless, and will evaporate without leaving a trace.
- Oil : Most people think that oil is black. That’s not necessarily the case. Engine oil starts off being amber in color. As it circulates through the vehicle and picks up debris, it starts getting darker. The darker the oil, the more contaminants it contains.
- Coolant : This is either green or orange, depending on the type. If it’s rustier in tone, that’s another issue to have checked out.
- Transmission Fluid : This can be differentiated because it has a reddish tint. It will either be red-brown or a bright red.
Final Notes
If you notice any of the signs above, it’s time to get your car in for a diagnosis. The sooner the issue is repaired, the less overall damage there’ll be.
