Bryant Motors


Serving Sedalia, Boonville, Clinton, Jefferson City, Marshall, Warrensburg and Central Missouri
(800) 886-2701

2901 South Limit Ave. Sedalia, MO 65301
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Transmission Problems:
5 Common Signs Your Transmission is Failing

transmission gear: Bryant Motors Car Buying Guide Article

A car’s transmission is one of the most important – and also one of the most expensive – parts of a vehicle. If it breaks completely, it usually ends up costing more to replace than the vehicle is worth.

In order to avoid replacing the entire transmission, you should get your car checked out right away by an ASE certified technician if it starts acting unusual. Keeping up with regular maintenance is also a great way to avoid transmission issues and other costly repairs.

Here are five of the most common signs of transmission problems to watch for:

1. Delayed response

If you’re accelerating after a stop or shifting out of park into drive, an automatic transmission should move into the proper gear. A failing transmission won’t engage right away, or you may notice the RPMs (revolutions per minute) surge but the engine will not. A manual transmission can have a similar response, but often it can be fixed by replacing the clutch.

2. Leaking or low fluid

You may notice some red or orange fluid leaking from your car, or find that the level is low in your transmission fluid reservoir. Both of these are cause for concern and may mean your transmission is leaking.

Automatic transmission fluid (ATF) is necessary for your transmission and car to work correctly. Fluid leaks are some of the easiest to identify because ATF doesn’t get used up the way engine oil does. So if the ATF level is low, it almost always means there is a leak.

A leak, even a small one, can quickly turn into a major and expensive problem. If you don’t get a transmission leak fixed right away, your transmission could fail and your engine could seize, so you’d be in the market for a new one of each.

3. Burning smell and/or smoke

When a car smokes or smells, there’s a long list of possible problems, but one of those is a failing or broken transmission.

The ATF is there to keep everything lubricated so that your transmission doesn’t burn up. So, if the fluid itself starts burning, it could be an indication that the transmission may be burning too. Acting quickly on this issue could save you from having to replace the entire transmission.

4. Humming, whining, or buzzing

Hearing strange sounds coming out of your car while driving around town is almost never a good thing. If your transmission is breaking down, it can produce a variety of different noises that are difficult to describe. Some of the most common transmission noises include humming, whining, and buzzing. You may even hear grinding noises. If your vehicle has a manual transmission, the sound may be more of a “clunk.”

Best piece of advice: If your car is making any kind of unusual noises, it’s a good idea to get it checked out right away. Ignoring it could create a much costlier repair later on.

5. Check engine light

As with smells and sounds, the check engine light can indicate one of several different issues. If the check engine light comes on, it may have nothing to do with your transmission. However, there are several sensors in your engine that alert you to any potential problems, and this includes problems with your transmission.

Many people ignore the check engine light, assuming it’s not a big deal – or they don’t understand what the light actually means. Don’t make this mistake! If the light is on, bring the vehicle to a certified mechanic who can diagnose the problem quickly.

If you have a newer car, there may be a more specific indicator light that comes on when the transmission is not working correctly, so be sure to familiarize yourself with these types of warning lights.

Don’t Wait Before It’s Too Late!

A transmission is a very complex machine that can be difficult to diagnose and always expensive to replace. If your transmission is showing signs of failure, don’t wait to take it in and get it checked out.

Bryant Motors has a team full of factory-trained and certified mechanics that can help get your vehicle back on the road in no time. Call or come by our Sedalia auto repair shop today if your vehicle requires expert maintenance and care.

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Bryant Motors
2901 South Limit Ave
Sedalia MO 65301
(800) 886-2701
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Full Service Dodge, Chrysler and Jeep Dealership
Serving Sedalia, Warrensburg and Whiteman AFB, Missouri

If you're in the market for a new or used vehicle, we invite you to browse our online showroom or come on down to our dealership and check out our inventory. Bryant Motors has been the premier go-to place for central Missouri's transportation needs for nearly 80 years.

Once you step on the lot or in the showroom, our personable and caring team of auto specialists will show you why we've remained Sedalia's leader for new & used trucks, SUVs, cars and more.

Check Out Our Vehicle Inventory including:

New Cars: Come test drive our Chrysler 200, 300 and Dodge Avenger. The revitalized Dodge Dart provides economical transportation with the handling you'd expect from a sports car. For modern day classics, we recommend Dodge Charger and Challenger. And if you're really in need to speed, the Dodge SRT Viper is in a class all to itself.

New Trucks: Find the best selection of both 2-wheel and 4-wheel drive trucks in central Missouri at Bryant Motors. For best-in-class towing & fuel economy, test drive Motor Trend's Truck of the Year for both 2013 and 2014, Dodge's Ram 1500. For a more heavy-duty trucks, we recommend Ram 2500 and 3500 models.

New Minivans: Looking to buy a family car? Check out Dodge Caravan and Chrysler Town & Country. These popular family van set the standard for minivans.

New SUVs: When it comes to Jeeps, we have the best selection of all Jeep models including Cherokee, Grand Cherokee, Wrangler, Patriot and Compass. Dodge SUVs are one of our best sellers. The Dodge Durango provides both power and room, while Dodge's new crossover, the Journey, seats 7 and is the most affordable crossover-SUV on the market today.

Used Cars & Trucks: looking for a good used vehicle? Bryant Motors' pre-owned department carefully screens each used vehicle to ensure you're getting the dependability you need. Choose from a wide array of makes and models, including many one-owner cars, trucks and SUVs.

Find the latest Dodge Ram, Jeep Wrangler and other exciting models, or browse our extensive inventory of quality new and used automobiles

Our Sedalia-based auto dealership serves the new and used car needs of surrounding communities, including Warrensburg and Jefferson City.

Find top-quality Dodge, Chrysler and Jeep, including the Ram 1500, Wrangler/Grand Cherokee and other models designed for getting the job done or getting through some of the serious farm and rural country Missouri is known for.

Bryant Motors is centrally located to residents of Sedalia and surrounding areas, as well as vacationers heading to Lake of the Ozarks or Osage Beach.

When you visit our showroom at 2901 S. Limit in Sedalia, you will not only find exciting new Dodge, Chrysler and Jeep models. You'll also find the most knowledgeable and friendly sales staff out in all of central Missouri.

Come visit our dealership near: Warrensburg , Whiteman AFB , Jefferson City, Marshall, Clinton, Boonville

Bryant Motors Auto Service & Repair Serving Sedalia, Warrensburg, Whiteman AFB and Jefferson City

Where you purchased your new Dodge Ram, Grand Caravan or used car is irrelevant - Bryant Motors' service department is here to help with all your automotive maintenance and repair needs.

We offer auto repair and maintenance on all models, regardless of where they were manufactured or purchased.

Whether you need a basic oil change , brake services , auto A/C repair , transmission repair or a total engine overhaul, experienced, factory-trained technicians will get you back on the road as fast as possible.


Find Popular New & Used Cars, Trucks and SUVs:

Chrysler: Chrysler 200 Touring, Chrysler 200 Limited, Town & Country, Chrysler 300

Dodge: Dodge Journey

Ram Trucks: Ram 1500 Ram 2500

Jeep: Patriot Latitude, Compass Latitude, Grand Cherokee (Limited, Overland, Summit), Wrangler

Bryant Motors
Central Missouri Best Car Dealership
Serving Customers in Sedalia, Warrensburg, Whiteman Air Force Base, Jefferson City & Surrounding Areas including Marshall, Boonville, and Clinton, MO