High Engine Revs and Transmission Slipping

By Mister Transmission

Are you experiencing high engine revs and transmission slipping?

If your engine revs up as you press down on the gas but your vehicle doesn’t accelerate as much as you’d expect, you may be dealing with transmission slipping. If you’ve ever tried to accelerate on ice, where your engine revs but your vehicle goes nowhere, you know the feeling.

Transmission slipping is a common but costly problem for both manual and automatic transmissions, and if left untreated, it can lead to a full-blown transmission failure.

Fortunately, it is relatively easy to confirm this issue—in fact, if you’re sitting in the driver’s seat, you have everything you need to make a successful diagnosis.

How to test for high engine revs and transmission slipping

On the dashboard, locate the tachometer, the gauge that displays your vehicle’s RPMs, and the speedometer, the gauge that shows your speed. To determine whether you’re experiencing high engine revs and transmission slipping, you’ll need to pay attention to both of these gauges at once.

Normally, when you press down on the accelerator, the needles on the tachometer and speedometer should move together, increasing the RPMs as your vehicle speeds up. As the vehicle upshifts, the RPM will drop, but then the needle should immediately start climbing again as you continue to increase your speed. Generally speaking, one gauge should follow the other.

However, if your transmission is slipping, this doesn’t happen. Instead, when you press the gas pedal, the tachometer jumps up, revving your engine, but the speedometer barely moves. In extreme cases, if your transmission is severely slipping, it won’t move at all.

To confirm these problems, find a stretch of open road where you can safely conduct a quick test. All you need to do is get behind the wheel, watch the tachometer and speedometer readings (or get a passenger to watch it for you), and accelerate. If the tachometer springs to life while your speedometer barely stirs, it’s time to book a transmission repair service near you.

Alternatively, for a safer and more reliable diagnosis, you can drop by your local Mister Transmission for a FREE road test & multi-check.

Why is my transmission slipping? Top-10 common causes

  1. The clutch may be wearing out on your manual transmission, or it may already be worn out. If this is the case, the clutch will also feel soft or spongy when you press down on it. You may also hear strange noises or detect a burning smell caused by the friction of the clutch slipping. 
  2. The transmission fluid level is too low. When you do not have enough transmission fluid, and both the transmission oil pump and torque converter run dry, you lose hydraulic pressure to the solenoid, which can lead to erratic shifting.
  3. The transmission fluid level is too high. Overfilling your transmission fluid increases the risks of cavitation, which is a phenomenon whereby the liquid pressure drops below the vapor pressure, causing the transmission fluid to foam up. Cavitation is associated with erratic shifting, internal transmission damage, and oil starvation.
  4. Transmission fluid pressure may be too low. This appears as Error Code P0868‘ in OBD-II testing, and may be due to leaks, a faulty transmission pump, or malfunctioning fluid pressure sensors.
  5. The transmission filter may be clogged, in which case your transmission cannot pull the required transmission fluid through the oil pump to keep the solenoid operating properly. This causes slipping, erratic shifting, and outright failure to shift.
  6. Dirty transmission fluid. When in good condition, transmission fluid is a clear, red liquid. If it is blackened, burnt, or gritty, it is likely preventing proper shifting, and a professional transmission flush, new filter, or fluid replacement may be required.
  7. Bad transmission solenoid. Solenoids are located inside the transmission and responsible for directing hydraulic fluid into the valve body in order to engage the correct gear. If you have a bad transmission solenoid, you may experience erratic shifting, shift slippage, or complete failure to shift.
  8. Electronic component failure. When your electronic throttle body (ETB) has a worn or broken dial, communications may be disrupted between the electronic throttle body and transmission control module (TCM), causing a missed shift, no shift at all, or skipping gears (e.g. 2nd to 4th without hitting 3rd).
  9. Faulty transmission control module (TCM). If your vehicle has a faulty TCM, then it cannot communicate properly to the solenoid, which will cause erratic shifting and high revs. Some TCM problems arise from bent pins or excess corrosion around the pinout.
  10. Other components may be failing. Modern transmissions are sophisticated, multi-part  electro-mechanical pieces of equipment. Any number of component failures could be at the root of your transmission slipping. To get a concrete diagnosis and qualified repair, get in touch with your local Mister Transmission.

How to fix high engine revs and transmission slipping

If you’ve successfully diagnosed high engine revs and transmission slipping, or you suspect problems and need a professional opinion, our transmission repair experts can help.

We offer 100% FREE road tests and multi-check inspections to facilitate cost-effective early diagnoses, and should any problems be detected, we can correct them, no matter what type of vehicle you drive.

As Canada’s leading experts in transmission repair and maintenance, we’re proud to offer all of the following services under one roof::

  • Adjustments and in-car repairs
  • Reseal jobs
  • Replacing accessible parts
  • Complete overhauls

What’s more, when you choose a local Mister Transmission, your transmission repair or replacement benefits from:

  • A history of success—Over the past 58 years, Mister Transmission has helped thousands of motorists keep their transmissions in-shape, and we can do the same for you. But don’t take our word for it—our commitment to customer care and superior service is borne out by over 11,000+ glowing reviews.
  • Leading transmission technology—We equip our highly trained transmission specialists with high-quality tools and leading diagnostic technology to enhance vehicle performance and provide complete peace-of-mind.
  • Flexible payment plans and customer rewards—We offer flexible payment plans and give away $1000 worth of transmission repair services every month, so you can keep your transmission in-shape even on a shoestring budget.
  • Nationwide warranty—We stand behind our transmission repair, maintenance, and replacement services with one of Canada’s best warranties.

To book a free road test and multi-check inspection, you use the Mister Transmission Finder to connect with a transmission expert near you

Why is my engine revs so high?

It can be hard for the average driver to accurately spot problems they’re having with their vehicle.

Identifying gears slipping in your vehicle’s transmission can be tricky. Read our tips to help you recognize the signs of slipping gears. Read More

Is high revs good for engine?

Modern manual and automatic transmissions are complex machines. With that intricacy comes the possibility for a number of transmission problems to arise over time.

Read on to learn some of the more common transmission problems your vehicle may experience on the road. Read More

Do high revs damage engines?

Clunking, whining, buzzing, growling, grinding, or humming sounds coming from your transmission are all serious cause for concern.

Mister Transmission has been helping Canadians diagnose transmission sounds and performance issues to keep business fleets, commuter vehicles, and track-stars in shape, and we can do the same for you. Read More

Why is my engine revs high without acceleration?

A burning smell in your car could indicate serious transmission trouble.

It could be burning transmission fluid you’re smelling, and it’s one of the major warning signs that your vehicle’s transmission may be overheating. Read More

How to fix over revving car

Transmission fluid changes are an essential part of your routine servicing. They keep your vehicle running smoothly and performing at its peak.

Let’s learn more about the importance of transmission fluid changes, why they need to happen, and how they are done. Read More

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Customer Reviews
Professional transmission rebuilt
Max XIAO
Professional transmission rebuilt
Date: March 27, 2023
Website: Google
Mandy's customer service was second...
Vanessa Orchard
Mandy's customer service was second to none. Not only did he make sure the work they could do on our truck got done in a timely manner, but also made arrangements for other services to be completed that are outside their scope. PLUS, he took care of getting our truck there and back! Like Mandy said, we hope we don't need to see him for that truck again, but if we need transmission services for any of our other vehicles, we'll be back! Thank you for your great customer service Mandy!
Date: March 27, 2023
Website: Google
Highly recommended! I wasn't sure...
Akash Kachchhi
Highly recommended! I wasn't sure where to take my car for a transmission repair. Had quotes from other shops, which were all around the same, but no one was offering warranty on their work more than one year even after spending so much money. Only Mr. Mandeep offered me three years warranty, which makes me assured to go forward with the repair. Mr. Wes is really knowledgeable technician and he did a fantastic job, car works like new! Incredible staff that go above and beyond for their customers. Their customer service is great and the car was done on time.
Date: March 27, 2023
Website: Google
Nav and his crew are...
Darrell Govereau
Nav and his crew are always there for me. Give them a call for exceptional service! Not only transmissions!
Date: March 26, 2023
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Excellent customer service!
Rob Harris
Excellent customer service!
Date: March 25, 2023
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I took the car in...
Lance Lincoln
I took the car in because I had issues with my transmission, not only did they fix it but they fixed my lower control arm and adjusted my brakes, these are problems that were missed on the safety, Dan also dealt with my warranty company as well as made sure I had the financing to get my car back with no out of pocket funds, they worked late making sure I had the car on the day they said, thank you Dan and Bob for all your hard work.
Date: March 24, 2023
Website: Google
Great job on my transmission...
Alessandro Chiaravallo
Great job on my transmission and awesome customer's service... Thanks guys!
Date: March 24, 2023
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very good and professional. I...
Tochukwu Ezeanochie
very good and professional. I will recommend them for everyone.
Date: March 24, 2023
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Excellent service! Wes was professional,...
Lori Buckle
Excellent service! Wes was professional, considerate and easy to deal with. Would definitely recommend! A++++
Date: March 23, 2023
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Great people, great service, you...
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Great people, great service, you know they will take good care of your car, no matter the problem it has.
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