Diagnosing Ford Taurus Transmission Problems

Your car is a very important part of your life. You need your car for your everyday life, so it is important to keep it running properly. If you own a Ford Taurus, you know that your car is generally very reliable. Regardless, issues can crop up no matter what make of car you own. One of the most dreaded problems that you can encounter with any car would be issues with the transmission. If you suspect that your Ford Taurus has transmission troubles, you may be worried. Take a look at the answers to questions about common Ford Taurus transmission problems below. The information might be able to help you figure out what is going wrong with your car so that you can determine what path you need to take in getting it fixed.

Is There a Way to Tell if Your Transmission Fluid is Leaking?

There are a few ways you can tell if your transmission fluid is leaking. The first would be to look underneath where your car is parked to see if there is any transmission fluid puddled on the ground. The leak may be less apparent than that though. Take a look at your transmission fluid and see that it is the right color. In an automatic car, transmission fluid is bright red in color and smells slightly sweet. If your transmission fluid looks dark and smells burnt, then there is likely a leak somewhere. The transmission does not consume fluid when it is operating properly, so your transmission fluid also should not be low.

Can You Tell if There Are Transmission Problems by the Performance of the Car?

You can tell if there are transmission problems by the performance of the car. In an automatic Ford Taurus, you can tell if there are transmission problems by paying attention to how the car shifts between gears. Normally, the car automatically shifts between gears and you won’t even notice it. If there are transmission problems, transitioning into a different gear may create a jarring effect or some shaking. If you have an older model Ford Taurus that is manual, you will hear grinding sounds when you go to shift into a different gear.

What Should You Do if You Smell Burning Transmission Fluid?

If you smell burning transmission fluid, then it means that the transmission of your Ford Taurus is overheating. The transmission fluid acts to lubricate the moving parts in your transmission. It also acts to provide cooling for your transmission to keep it from overheating. If you smell burning fluid, then you should try to replace the fluid and see if that helps with the problem. Sometimes, replacing the fluid may be all you need to do. If after replacing the fluid the problem persists, then you likely have a more serious problem and will need to get it checked out by a certified mechanic.

What if the Transmission Knocks Even in Neutral?

If you’re hearing the transmission knock, even when it is in neutral, this may be the indication of a serious problem. It is likely that there are parts in your transmission that need to be replaced. Over time, the parts in your transmission will degrade due to normal wear and tear. It could be that your reverse idler gear is worn down, or it could be worn bearings. It is best to take your Ford Taurus into a mechanic to take a look at the transmission as a whole to determine which parts as causing the issues.

Diagnosing Ford Taurus transmission problems isn’t too difficult. The transmission issues you’re encountering could be simple to fix, or they could be very complex. You can try replacing the transmission fluid in your car to see if that alleviates the problem. If it does not, then it is likely that a more serious issue needs immediate attention. Whether certain parts are worn down or the whole transmission needs to be replaced can be determined by a certified mechanic. Take your car into a specialist if the problems are severe.