A slipping transmission is one of the most common transmission problems drivers report on the road, and if left unchecked, it can also be one of the most costly, most unnerving, and even the most dangerous.
For these reasons, it is critical that you make time for repair services the moment you notice your transmission starting to slip. But how does one fix a slipping transmission?
Read on to learn the basics of transmission slipping and how we fix it, or contact your local Mister Transmission to speak directly with an expertand get a free quote.
The term “transmission slipping” refers to a situation in which your vehicle slips into a new gear without any input from the driver, or in the case of an automatic transmission, without corresponding to its current speed.
Even if you’ve never experienced a slipping transmission, it’s not hard to imagine just how troubling, discomfiting, and dangerous this can be, especially while traveling at high speeds with other vehicles all around.
Not necessarily—but you should contact a transmission specialist as soon as possible, and try not to drive until you do.
While not necessarily a sign of oncoming major transmission failure, slipping does indicate that your transmission is in serious need of service and repair. To leave it unchecked is to put both your vehicle and yourself, as well as other drivers and pedestrians, in danger.
If your manual transmission starts to slip, there’s a good chance you’re dealing with a faulty clutch. Often the problem boils down to wear-and-tear leaving your clutch too thin to do its duty. In the event that the clutch is not to blame, you probably have a leak somewhere.
Automatic transmissions have clutches, too, and they’re often the culprit when your transmission starts to slip. Automatic transmissions contain clutch plates throughout the transmission as well as in the torque converter which may become worn or burnt from the inadequate transmission fluid. To fix this, you will have to get the clutch plates replaced immediately and also service the fluid.
Low fluid levels are often at the root of problems involving inadvertent or unwanted gear shifts. Low fluid causes overheating and may reduce hydraulic pressure, making it difficult or even impossible to engage gears. If you suspect you have a low level of transmission fluid, you should check your levels as soon as possible if your vehicle is equipped with a transmission dipstick, if your vehicle is not equipped you must have it checked by a specalist. If low levels are detected, check for leaks in the form of reddish liquid pooling or pattering beneath your vehicle. If you detect a leak, adding more fluid won’t be a long-term solution, and you should contact a transmission specialist as soon as possible.
If no leaks are detected, you can add more fluid. In addition to preventing slippage, this will lubricate your vehicle’s mechanical parts, maintain proper fluid pressure, keep the transmission system cool, prevent oxidation, condition the gasket, and prevent any problematic rust formation.
Ineffective transmission bands can also contribute to slippage. Transmission bands can become worn and broken, which can cause transmission slipping as well as engine troubles and worn out gears. Bands are what link the gears in the automatic transmission together. To fix this problem technicians need to replace or adjust the defective band. Transmission slipping can also be affected by worn out gears, solenoid problems, or torque converter issues.
We’ve discussed some of the necessary repairs to transmission slipping above, but obviously, the repair needed will vary depending on the cause of the problem.
For low fluid levels, you’ll need to add more fluid to repair the problem. For burnt or damaged fluid, you’ll need to drain the exhausted fluid and replace it with new fluid. For a leak, however, at least part of your transmission will need to be resealed to prevent further slipping and transmission problems.
For other problems such as ones that concern the torque converter or the solenoid, the required transmission repair can be quite complex and will necessitate special equipment, all of which you’ll find at your local Mister Transmission.
To learn more about slipping transmission and the required repairs, please do not hesitate to contact us today.
For your convenience, we offer:
And no matter what services are required, you’re guaranteed:
To book a free road test and multi-check inspection, you can:
The evolution of transmissions has made these machines and systems increasingly complex. When transmission repairs are required, determining the cause and cure for what ails can be tricky.
Read More
At Mister Transmission we have access to leading-edge diagnostic equipment, enabling us to offer you the fastest and most accurate findings about what’s going on inside your vehicle’s transmission.
Read More
Just as you have other parts of your car serviced, your transmission needs maintenance to ensure a long life and avoid transmission problems.
Read More