Transmission

The first sign I noticed was the lump inside the car where the transmission runs between the site was getting quite warm. I got it checked and they found it was playing up...

When your transmission does not want to change gears. If you push and push on the gas that you hear the engine responding...but you are not going any faster, that is a pretty good indicator that your transmission is going out. :) Here is a website for you...it also says that light-colored oil leaked from undr your car...that would be transmission fluid. http://www.certifiedtransnet.verizonsupersite.com/earlywarningsymptoms/

You'll know when you feel it slipping out of gears, or not into gears. The car will ride differently, and you will feel it.

If it does, I do not think that I'd know until the car stops running or something like that.

Have had a couple of transmissions to replace in my life. One the clack clack happened and then it would only rev and not go. Then one car acted like it was out of gas and the transmission wouldn't engage. So this expensive problem is not something you want. Hoping you have a good repairman that will let you make payments.

I'm no expert, but I've lost two transmissions over the years. Both times, the transmission starting "slipping"... the motor would race a bit but the speed of the car wouldn't increase. If the problem got more sever, the transmission wouldn't engage at all. Have you tried having your transmission fluid level checked? That sure is less expensive than a new transmission!