Your transmission is a critical component of your engine. While it isn’t as explosive as the cylinders or as visible as your tires, it still is required for your car to safely motor on the road. When you experience transmission issues, not only do you have to consider safety concerns, but your car’s ability to get you from Point A to Point B.
Preventing Transmission Issues in your Mini Cooper
The automatic transmission of a Mini Cooper typically has problems in particular circumstances, such as when your vehicle reaches a set age or high mileage. Driver habits can also play a large part in how well a vehicle’s transmission functions. That’s why it’s important to drive safely, such as by following speed limits, taking corners safely, and going easy over potholes and bumpy roads.
While there is no surefire way to ensure your transmission never fails, there are steps you can take to minimize damage over time. Furthermore, bringing your vehicle in to a mechanic for regular maintenance and inspections can help you catch issues before they’re engine-ruining.
Catching automatic transmission issues early is the key to avoiding an expensive repair bill in the future. By extension, knowing what to look for before your transmission fails is essential in catching problems before they ruin your engine completely.
Common Signs of Transmission Failure
There are several common symptoms of transmission failure. While many of these can mimic other issues as well, experiencing two or more of them in conjunction is a good indicator that your Mini is having issues in the automatic transmission.
If you suspect any of these issues in your Mini Cooper, make an appointment to see a trusted mechanic as soon as possible.
Your Mini Vibrates
If your vehicle vibrates, shakes, or shudders when you accelerate or your engine shifts, this is a sign that your transmission is experiencing issues. As one of the more severe and dangerous transmission concerns, you should bring your Mini in immediately if you notice your car vibrating or shuddering.
Transmission Fluid Problems
If your transmission fluid is low, this may be a sign that you have a slow leak in your engine. This can be indicative of other problems, but more importantly, it can lead to mechanical failure of your transmission.
Alternatively, if you find a bright red puddle beneath your vehicle after it’s been parked for a while, this is a sign that your vehicle has a major leak somewhere in the transmission system. Either way, a transmission fluid leak is a sign it’s time to have your vehicle inspected by a mechanic.
Gear Shift Issues
One of the more common signs of a transmission failure is gear shifter issues. These include staying in low RPMs after you shift, problems revving to the appropriate RPMs to shift, or your vehicle prematurely shifting gears. You may also notice that your car jolts or shudders when it shifts.
Overheating Engine
If your engine is overheating, one of the more probable causes is a transmission failure. The strain of broken or worn out transmission components can serve to increase friction in your engine. This friction can then in turn cause your engine to run hot and overheat. In a worst can scenario, this could lead to catastrophic engine failure.
Check Engine Light Illumination
Your check engine light can be indicative of several mechanical and electrical issues in your vehicle. If it occurs in conjunction with any of these other issues, it’s time to bring your vehicle to a respected Mini Cooper mechanic immediately for diagnostic testing.
Turning Wrenches Can Help
If you notice any of the above signs of 
a failing transmission, or if you suspect that your Mini Cooper has other engine problems, bring it to Turning Wrenches of Louisville, KY as soon as possible.
Our experienced, certified mechanics will make sure that your vehicle is in the best of hands for diagnostics and repair from the time you drive onto the property until you leave again.
Furthermore, all vehicles come with a 3-year/36,000-mile warranty, so you can be sure that your vehicle runs smooth and safe.