Leaking Fluid

• Leaking transmission fluid is a sign that something is wrong. The severity correlates to the size of the leak, with larger leaks needing more immediate attention. Be on the lookout for fluid that's red in color.
  
  

Low Fluid

• If fluid continually needs to be added, but is not leaking, that means the transmission is burning fluid and overheating.
  
  

Slipping

• When shifting or while driving in gear, a failing transmission will not shift as quickly as it should. Instead, you'll notice a slipping action, where shifting is slow and the engine revs up before it catches into gear.
  
  

Metal Shavings in Fluid

• A sign of severe transmission problems is if the fluid contains metal shavings. At this point, the transmission will most likely need to be replaced.
  
  

Hard Shifting

• When shifting, the car has a hard, jerking action.