If you drive in the Denver metro area – whether commuting through Lakewood, heading up to the foothills via Westminster, or towing gear out to the mountains – your transmission and drivetrain face unique stresses. At our Advanced Transmission Center shops in Lakewood and Westminster, we track real-world repair data, and these five issues keep cropping up again and again. Knowing them can help you catch a problem early, avoid bigger repairs later, and stay confidently on the road.
1. Transmission Fluid Leaks
One of the most frequent early-warning problems we find is leaking transmission fluid. You might notice a reddish-brown pool under the vehicle, or find yourself topping off fluid more often than expected. In our repair logs this is a top cause of other problems: a leak lowers hydraulic pressure, leads to overheating, and ultimately causes shifting issues.
Why it happens around here: Steep grades, frequent starts & stops, and mountain/tow use accelerate wear on gaskets, pans and cooler lines.
What to look for: Fluid accumulating under your vehicle, a low transmission dipstick reading, or fluid that is dark or has a burnt smell.
What we do: Replace or reseal the pan/gasket, repair cooler lines or external fittings, and perform a full fluid flush to restore correct pressure and cooling.
2. Failed Shift Solenoids
Next on the list: shift solenoid failure. In automatic transmissions, solenoids control the flow of fluid that enables gear changes. When they go bad, you may experience delayed shifts, harsh or erratic gear changes, or the vehicle staying in one gear too long.
Why the Denver/Front Range environment aggravates this: The frequent hill climbing, towing, and heavy traffic all increase duty cycles for solenoids and the valve body. Also, fluid breakdown (heat + load) can affect solenoid performance.
Signs to catch early: Harsh shifting between 2nd and 3rd gear, gear-hunting (constantly shifting back & forth), or a Check Engine light with transmission fault codes.
Repair solution: Solenoid pack replacement or valve body service. Often much less costly than full rebuild if caught early.
3. Torque Converter Issues
The torque converter is the component that transfers engine power to the transmission fluid coupling. When it begins to fail you may sense shuddering at highway speeds, stalling from a stop light, or slipping during acceleration.
Local factors: In our Lakewood/Westminster customers, frequent highway driving into the mountains and stop-and-go routes increase converter workload – and so lifespan is shorter.
Symptoms to watch: Shudder or vibration when accelerating, slipping at low speed, or a strange “stuck” feeling at stop lights.
Repair path: Often requires replacing the torque converter, flushing fluid, and sometimes addressing supporting wear components. Because the converter is expensive, early diagnosis is important.
4. Worn Clutch Packs (Automatic Transmissions)
Even automatics have clutch packs inside them – and when those clutches wear out the transmission can slip, RPMs flare, or gear changes become rough. At our shops this is a frequent bigger-repair we catch when earlier symptoms were ignored.
Why this is so common in our region: Mountain roads, towing trailers, and heavier loads all stress the clutch packs. Also, the elevation changes and load shifts create added friction and wear.
What you’ll notice: The vehicle hesitates when shifting into drive, revs climb higher than normal before the vehicle moves, or the transmission fluid smells burnt.
Repair requirement: Internal rebuild or replacement of clutch packs, often combined with fluid, seals, and sometimes full transmission overhaul.
5. Burnt or Degraded Transmission Fluid
Finally, one of the “silent” problems we see: the fluid itself has degraded. Dark, burnt-smelling fluid with visible contamination often signals that the transmission has been under heavy load too long or that cooling has been insufficient. Once fluid breaks down it can’t protect internal parts as effectively, leading to accelerated wear and eventual failure.
Local driving stressors: Long uphill drives, heavy towing, or stop-and-go traffic in high-elevation zones all heat the transmission more than flat driving would. If cooling, fluid service, or maintenance is neglected, the fluid degrades sooner.
What to do: If your vehicle has over 100k miles, heavy use (towing or mountain driving), or no recent fluid change, bring it in for a fluid condition inspection. Flushing and replacing with the correct spec fluid can prevent further damage.
Why These Issues Occur More Often Around Lakewood & Westminster
- The terrain is more demanding: hills, grades, and mountain drives put extra load on drivetrain and transmission systems.
- Elevation reduces engine efficiency and indirectly increases transmission stress.
- Many vehicles in the area are high-mileage or have been used for towing/outdoor gear – which adds wear.
- Stop-and-go traffic in metro Denver and longer drive-times equate to more shifting cycles and higher heat build-up.
What You Can Do Now
- If you notice any slipping, delayed shifts, fluid spots, or unusual smells – book an inspection sooner rather than later.
- Ask for a fluid condition check, a transmission hydraulic test, or a “TrueTest™” inspection (our shop offers one) to catch early issues.
- Drive moderately while you wait for service: avoid heavy tow loads or mountain trips if you suspect a transmission issue.
- Maintain fluid service intervals more proactively than you might with “normal” driving – your environment is more demanding.
Ready to Get Checked?
If you live or drive through Lakewood or Westminster and suspect any of these issues – or simply want a baseline check before problems begin – bring your vehicle to Advanced Transmission Center. Our specialists have decades of experience diagnosing and repairing these “top 5” issues. Let’s make sure your vehicle stays reliable, no matter the terrain or traffic.
Reach out to either location to schedule your inspection today.
With over 10 years of hands-on experience in the automotive industry, including serving as General Manager for a high-volume transmission shop, Tom Christy brings deep operational and technical expertise to every facet of auto repair and service management. Having overseen multi-million-dollar operations, led national teams, and improved shop performance across sales, staffing, and customer service, Tom has a proven track record of growing revenue while reducing costs. Tom's real-world experience in transmission diagnostics, repair workflows, and customer satisfaction makes them a trusted voice in the field.
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