How would i know if my cars transmission is giving out?

I have a 2004 kia optima lx and as of recently ive noticed my car occasionally having trouble changing gears ( i only drive using automatic). It feels like im driving stick shift horribly sometimes even though im only using automatic. Could that be a possible transmission problem and what are my options?

I will be going to get it checked out soon so in the mean time im not using my car anymore.How would i know if my cars transmission is giving out?
you say it don,t want to change gears like it,s staying in low? it could be the filter in the transmission is starting to clog up. it won,t change gears if the pump can,t pick up the fluid.How would i know if my cars transmission is giving out?
If the trans is slipping or shuddering, you might have a real problem.



Have you check the trans fluid? If it is low, top it off. It should be a light pink color. If it is darker red and/or smells burned, have it replaced.



Sometimes a servicing is all they need. It could be worse, though, so prepare yourself for an expensive repair.



Keep in mind a bad trans will kill the value of your car. At 6 yrs old, it ain't worth much anyway, but a bad trans will make it unsellable. A 6 yr old Kia with a bad trans is basically a junkyard car. You need to decide whether you want to fix the car and keep it, or dump the car for something else and move on.
if it is low I would do a drain and fill every 30,000 miles and that will do a lot more to keep your transmission healthy then anything else.
Check the fluid level to make sure its up to the correct mark on the dipstick. If thats OK, have it checked for trouble codes in the computer(most auto parts stores can do it). I've seen more often than not these cars come in to my work for codes pertaining to the input shaft or output shaft speed sensors, which will make it shift horribly. If your car still has the 5 year/60,000 mile warranty, the sensors should be covered by that IF its the sensor(s). If you have done a fluid change at 30,000/60,000/90,000 miles(what they call ';proof of maintenance';), and a competent dealership tech says your trans is no good, your trans should be covered by your 10 year/100,000 mile powertrain warranty.