This is created ONLY to help you the customer, share helpful information with your technician when you call in to schedule a tow-in or an appointment to get your vehicle into be repaired.
PRNDL: Transmission Troubles?
A Visual Guide to Diagnosing Common Issues
Your Drivetrain Professionals for 25 Years
Step 1: Know Your Drivetrain
Vehicle Type
Car
Truck/SUV
Van
Transmission Type
Step 2: What’s That Symptom?
Most transmission problems fall into one of five categories. Performance issues and leaks are the most frequent starting points.
This chart represents the relative frequency of initial symptoms reported by vehicle owners.
Step 3: A Deeper Dive into the Clues
A) Fluid Leaks
The lifeblood of your transmission. A leak is a critical warning sign.
The #1 Cause of Trouble
70%
of major automatic transmission failures are linked to low or burnt-out fluid.
Fluid Color Guide:
B) Unusual Noises
Different noises point to different problems depending on your transmission type.
This chart shows potential causes for common noises. A grinding automatic is a very serious sign.
D) Shifting & Performance Problems
How your car feels when it shifts (or fails to) is a major clue. Low fluid is a common culprit for both manual and automatic types, but other issues diverge.
The Diagnostic Flow
This visual flowchart shows the logical path from identifying a symptom to finding a potential cause. Start at the top and follow the arrows based on what you’re experiencing.
Fluid Leak
Unusual Noise
Burning Smell
Shifting Problem
Check Engine Light