Transmission Slipping: How To Judge and Avoid Costly Mistakes

Transmission Slipping

Transmission slipping is basically improper switching of gears. Sometimes you don’t want to switch gears but it happens. On the other hand you may intend to switch gears but can’t. What the case may be, you have to do a costly repair.

This problem is very common in automatic transmission but manual transmission can be the target. It is common in auto transmission due to its complex nature. There are numerous components in it which can prone to wear and tear.

Transmission Slipping

Car transmission have a designed life whether it is a manual or auto. However its your duty to maintain it and keep it running more than its life. Transmission slipping can be avoided if you are able to understand its symptoms before failure?

Symptoms of Transmission Slipping

You can avoid car transmission slipping and save heavy expenditure by taking care of following issues.

1. Clutch Wear and Tear

Automatic and manual transmisson both use a clutch for gear shifting. Agressive driving habits accelerate its wear and tear. Regualr clutch adjustment and inspection is mandatory. It saves you from premature clutch failure and ultimately transmission slipping.

2. Transmission Fluid

Maintenance of transmission fluid level and its quality is extremely important. Degraded and contaminated fluid loses its lubricating property. Moving parts will start grinding and after a certain period these may slip. It also produce distressed noises. If you still don’t care, it ends up with a complete failure.

3. Trouble Gear Shifting

You accelerate and hear engine revs but your car is unable to go faster is a sign of gear slipping. This transmission stuck may be due to bad fluid or worn out clutch. Always maintain your transmission fluid as recommended by manufacturer.

Related Search: The Ultimate Guide To Car Transmission Types

4. Manual Transmission Slipping

The main cause, you can say 99% chance is worn out clutch in manual transmission. It becomes very thin and unable to shift the gears. Moreover auto and manual transmission what the case may be, major casue of failure is bad fluid.

5. Hard Gear Shifting

When you don’t change transmission fluid on recommended intervals, it compromises the ability of gear shifting. You may face unnerving noises or transmission slipping.

6. Constantly On Check Engine Light

There are many issues which turn on the check engine light. Transmission slipping is one of these and it continuously turn on this light. Your engine may overheat on high revolutions due to faulty gear shifting. It triggers check engine light .

7. Burning Smell

Grinding of gears due to dirty transmission fluid produces burning smell. Immediately check fluid level and consult a mechanic to avoid heavy repairs.

8. Unable to Reverse Your Car

Dirty or low level of transmission fluid and faulty transmission position sensor results inablity to reverse your car. Its a very serious issue which requires immediate visit to workshop.

Blue Smoke Coming From Exhaust Pipe: What You Need To Know

9. Exceptionally High RPMs (Above 3000)

Worn out clutch, blocked transmission filter and bad fluid are major causes which slips gear. Normally gears are shifted around 3000 RPMs for better mileage. However above 3000 RPMs as you accelerate, RPMs go unusually high.

The Best and Worst Car Brands (ranked by consumer reports 2019)

Scroll to Top