Burning Smell

If you get a whiff of burning transmission fluid, such as a burning smell, be advised it is not the sweet smell of success. That’s because it may indicate your transmission is overheating or leaking. Transmission fluid keeps the transmission’s many moving parts properly lubricated. Also, it prevents the unit from burning itself up by providing much-needed cooling.

In some vehicles, the transmission even has its mini-radiator (an oil cooler) that circulates fluid to transport heat away from the transmission unit itself.

Common causes include low or inadequate transmission fluid, indicating a leak or dirty fluid that needs changing.

If you thought your transmission was safe from wear, at least while it was in neutral, the truth might surprise you. Look to the next page for the scoop on noises in neutral. As transmission repair experts it only makes sense to get your transmission repaired and seen too.