The entire system of gears and other components contained in your car's gearbox allows change of gears in order to attain the operating speed and torque required for particular driving conditions. But like other mechanical units of your vehicle, gearboxes are bound to develop problems at some point.

Gearbox issues can be catastrophic, so it's vital to know how to identify potential gearbox issues before they lead to serious problems. If you ever notice any of the following symptoms while changing gears, it's possible you could be facing problems with your car's gearbox and require gearbox repairs.

Gearbox oil leaks

The oil in your gearbox is designed to ensure gears and the various moving components included in the gearbox are well lubed all the time in order to allow smooth and efficient operation of the transmission system when changing gears.

Ordinarily, the oil should flow within the transmission system until it is time for an oil change. However, if you notice oil leaking from the seals or gaskets, you should know that your car is losing the all-important fluid that keeps the gearbox cool and working properly all the time.

The leaks will need to be sealed properly before more oil can be added into the gearbox.

Noisy gearbox

If you hear unusual noises whenever you engage the gears, it is likely that your gearbox is bad. Over time, various gearbox components, such as gears, bearings and shafts, can become worn due to lack of oil/lubrication, or normal wear. This can make gearbox operation a noisy affair.

When your gearbox is in perfect working condition, it should operate smoothly and almost noiselessly. So, be sure to have your gearbox checked out whenever you notice strange noises when you change gears.

Burning smell

If you notice a burning odour coming from your car, one of the usual culprits is burning transmission fluid. A burning smell is usually a warning sign that your transmission could be overheating, and it is never a good sign. 

For the most part, the smell is produced because of the internal friction created when the various gearbox components rub against each other when changing gears.

Failure to effectively change gears

Gearboxes are designed to ensure smooth and effective changing of gears. If you're unable to effectively change gears while driving, it is likely that you have a gearbox issue that needs to be checked and fixed.

If you notice these signs or suspect that your gearbox is not working as it should, don't hesitate to seek gearbox repairs from a qualified auto mechanic.

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