Without your transmission, your car doesn't go. The transmission takes the energy that your motor produces and then transfers it to the drivetrain of your car and then out to your wheels. That's why it's important to make sure that your transmission is in good shape. If you think there is a problem, there are some ways that you can tell if something is wrong. 

Feels Like You've Dropped Out of Gear

If it feels like you've dropped out of gear or like you've all of a sudden changed gear, your transmission might be slipping. That means that the cogs in the gears aren't catching each other the way that they should, and when they slip or lose that connection, it feels like your car isn't in the correct gear anymore. This is a problem that you can find in both manual and automatic transmissions. Other signs that your transmission might be slipping include your car feeling like it has lost all power or is underpowered. Remember, the transmission transmits power to the wheels, so if the gears slip, there is no energy to transfer. If you notice this happening, you want to make sure that you get your car in to get it worked on as soon as possible, because the longer it goes on, then the worse and more expensive it's going to get. 

There's Grinding and Shaking When You Switch Gears

Generally, this means that your gears aren't working the way that they should. A gear may be out of alignment or something has broken so when you try to switch gears, it catches, grinds, and shakes. This will happen differently in automatics and manuals. In a stick shift, you will probably feel that grinding when you switch gears. If it happens after you have switched and released your clutch, it may indicate that your clutch is breaking down instead. With automatics, you don't switch gears the same way physically, but your car still progresses through gears. It should be a nice, smooth movement, one that you really don't even feel. If you start to feel it or feel like the car has to kind of wiggle into gear, then you are likely having the same kinds of problems as in a manual transmission. 

If you are worried about your transmission, it's important to be familiar with a few of the signs that you may have transmission trouble. For more information or assistance, contact companies like Terwood Auto Repair.