November 16, 2025
One of the hardest working components of your vehicle is its transmission, shifting gears up and down when you need it to. The transmission is vital to your vehicle driving properly, and if you start to see signs of problems in it, it’s best to have them fixed earlier rather than later. (Since nearly all new vehicles have automatic transmissions, we’re leaving manual transmissions for another time since their issues are different.)
One sure sign your transmission has a problem is when you notice it’s not changing gears like it used to. Or perhaps you observe when it does change gears, they slip when you are driving. Gear change problems could be as simple as something wrong with your transmission fluid, but it could be more serious, so get this one checked out soon.
Another trouble sign is when you feel your transmission shaking and vibrating as you’re accelerating, decelerating or trying to maintain a constant speed. Hearing odd noises when you are standing still and in neutral is another warning that something’s wrong,
It's always a good idea to look around on the garage floor, or wherever you park your vehicle, to see if there is anything leaking. Transmission fluid leaks are an important sign of trouble and should be followed up quickly. The fluid is usually clear or pinkish red, and it smells sweet. Call us soon if you see it under your vehicle.
Your nose can also be helpful in sensing when your transmission might need attention. Transmission fluid can burn when it overheats, and if you smell a burning smell, let your service advisor know as soon as you can. Other odors that could alert you to transmission problems are burning plastic or rubber from wires.
The earlier we can catch a transmission problem, the better. If you drive a vehicle with an automatic transmission and notice any of these trouble signs, have a technician check them out so we can “shift” our attention to it as soon as possible.
Tuffy Tire & Auto Service Oswego
1555 US Highway 34
Oswego, Illinois 60543
630-898-6220

March 15, 2026
Think about this the next time youre driving. Your front wheels can steer your vehicle and, at the same time, the wheels can move, even with all the irregularities in the road moving them up, down and in different directions. Pretty amazing engineering, wouldnt you say? What allows that are part... More

March 8, 2026
You've likely heard how important oil is to your vehicle's engine. Did you know that there's one part that's responsible for holding that oil so you can use it every day? It's called the oil pan, and it sits at the bottom of the engine. The oil pan is a vital, though simple, part of your engine's... More

March 1, 2026
You may have noticed when you start your vehicle, youll see several symbols light up on the dash. Theyre different colors and shapes, and sometimes its hard to figure out what each of those symbols mean. They are warning lights and symbolize something in your vehicle is sending you a message. I... More