Who doesn’t love driving an automatic car, especially when it comes to navigating the congested roads of Pakistan,s where shifting gears becomes a test of strength , endurance and patience? However, automatic cars have their own share of potential problems.
If you drive an automatic car , keep an eye out for the following warning sings to avoid expensive and extended trips to the car workshop:
1. A ‘seizing’ engine. If you car tends to start and stops continuously, this may indicate that the engine is seizing. The cause for this is usually a fluid leak (this tends to happen more frequently in automatic cars as they rely more heavily on transmission fluids than manual cars) which can cause the engine to heat up and eventually stop. Have the leak(s) sealed and the fluid topped up by a mechanic.
2. Delayed engine response. If you put your car into drive mode and sense a delay before the gear responds and the car starts moving, this may mean that a faulty clutch is the cause and may need to be replaced by a mechanic.
3. Slipping gears. This terms refers to being unable to accelerates or brake at regular speeds, which usually tends to happen when a car’s gears are ‘slipping and skipping’ into ‘neutral’ mode while driving. This is a potentially dangerous situation as it may prevent you from braking suddenly to avoid a collision. Make an immediate stop at a workshop.
4. Unusual sounds. If while driving at above average speeds or barking, you find yourself commenting, ”I haven’t heard that noise before,” then this is the signal to have your car’s transmission system examined. These sounds may include a dull humming, buzzing or screeching, indicating a torque converter or gear shaft breakdown, both of which will, in all likelihood, require replacement.
By Haroon Rasheed