A manual transmission is found in cars with a stick shift. The stick shift is characterized by the H-shaped recess below the stick. Instead of automatically transitioning from one gear to another, the car manually transitions when you move the stick around the H, pushing in the clutch to the left of the gas pedal as you do. This takes practice and is more difficult than driving an automatic. Most people who choose a manual transmission do so because of the better miles to gallon gas ratio, or the desire to have more control over the vehicle.
The good news about manual transmissions is that repairing them is inexpensive, compared to repairing an automatic transmission. If you’re not a car expert, you shouldn’t fix it yourself. Nonetheless, you should know some common problems and repairs for manual transmissions so you can assess whether or not your mechanic is giving you a fair price.
An important issue to remember that is the same whether your transmission is manual or automatic is that the transmission fluid must be replaced periodically. A burning smell always means trouble. The transmission fluid should be just under, but not past, the full line. It should be pink, and never brown.
If your car is making a rattling noise when you travel at low speeds, it might mean that your car’s construction allows for more transaxle movements at some gears than others. If that’s the case, you may need to switch to synthetic gear oil. This may be part of your car, rather than a repair issue.
If the clutch needs to be replaced frequently, it might be a sign that your driving habits need to change. Normally, your clutch should be good for at the very least 40,000 miles and usually more. If it doesn’t last that long, you may be switching gears too quickly or using the clutch to slow the car going downhill when you should be using the brakes. Short clutch life can also be caused by pulling heavy loads. Even if you’re careful, it’s normal to need to replace the clutch after about 60,000 miles and if you have excellent driving habits you can eke a few more miles out of it than this.
If your transmission leaks, you might have an excess of transmission lubricant. If the transmission case is cracked or warped, that also can result in leakage. Missing bolts, loose pieces, and clogs in the vent hole also can cause transmission lubricant leaks. If you suspect you have a transmission leak, park your car on a layer of paper towels. That will allow you to determine where the leak is.
If your transmission makes a lot of noise in any one particular gear, you need to take it to a mechanic quickly. This can be a of sign worn bearings on that gear, as well as a lack of brake fluid.
If your drivetrain is making noise when you’re driving, there are a few possible causes. One possibility is worn out wheel bearings. Noise that only appears (or only disappears) when turning is usually caused by wheel bearings that need to be replaced, which is good news since this has nothing to do with your transmission and is cheaper to fix.
If you can’t easily shift from one gear to the next, it might mean that the linkage needs to be replaced. If you hear grinding when you’re trying to shift gears, it’s probably a problem with the synchronizers, which interact with the gears to control their speed.
Whatever the problem is, it’s wise to take your car, truck or SUV in and have a transmission specialist look at it. Some companies will even give you a no cost external diagnosis of your transmission plus and estimate for repairs. Since being stranded is not most people’s definition of a fun time, regular maintenance is helpful along with taking your vehicle in for expert advice when you feel or hear anything out of the ordinary.