How Long Can You Drive With A Bad Transmission?

June 10, 2020 | By Mister Transmission

How Long Can You Drive With A Bad Transmission?

Procrastination: it’s something we’re all guilty of. Why do today what you can put off until tomorrow, right? But what about your transmission? How long can you drive with a bad transmission?

Car problems always seem to strike at the most inopportune times. If your transmission is acting up, how long can you get by before taking your vehicle into a transmission shop?

You know the feeling. You’ve got a big presentation at work, a big exam coming up, or you’re about to attend your best friend’s wedding where in the ceremony you’ll be the best man. And then your car decides it won’t work. If it’s your transmission that’s the problem, maybe you’ll keep slipping out of gear and into neutral. Maybe you’ll have a struggle just to shift gears at all. Or maybe it will make such a noise that you are afraid to keep driving it. Just your luck, huh?

Except, in many cases, luck had little to do with it. Usually, you had a chance to repair your transmission before, but for one reason or another, you did not. Maybe you were just procrastinating or maybe you did have a good excuse, but that does not change your current situation. Now you have a bad transmission. What will you do?

Very few transmission problems come out of nowhere and instantly render your vehicle inoperable. Usually you have a bad transmission before you have a completely broken transmission.

Can you still drive your transmission if it changes gears roughly? Can you still drive your transmission if you see that it is leaking a little transmission fluid? Can you still drive your transmission if it is making funny noises? Can you still drive your transmission if it keeps slipping out of gear and into neutral?

The answer to all these questions is, usually, yes, though in this last scenario that can be quite dangerous. The truth is you almost always can drive on bad transmission. But for how long? Well, that is up to you.

Driving with a bad transmission is a simple matter of risk analysis. How much are you willing to risk having to get major transmission repairs or even a transmission replacement?

It’s always best to nip small problems in the bud before they become big ones. If you absolutely must drive with a bad transmission, check your transmission fluid first. Topping that up may ease (or even solve) the problem. If you’re really not sure, contact us at Mister Transmission and we might be able to give you an idea of how bad your transmission is. In any event, you want to drive with a bad transmission for as short a time as possible.

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Customer Reviews
I just wanted to write...
Richard Mintah
I just wanted to write something for everyone to know, there is still good peoples out there, but it took God direction to meet them. I met Aki and his team, this guy's are awesome, infact they are doing a great job. I would recommend mister transmission Dixie road to everyone who need to fixed their car and you will never regret.
Date: March 10, 2024
Website: Google
Really great and professional service....
Viv Naidoo
Really great and professional service. Aki does well to explain what's wrong and they had my vehicle sorted out on time and professionally. Highly recommend
Date: March 10, 2024
Website: Google
These guys are great!!! I...
Paul Poirier
These guys are great!!! I had an issue with my transmission called them and they got me in the same day. They had the issue diagnosed in minutes. Solved the problem and got me out in the same day. Really impressed and will go to them first if I ever have a transmission issue again. Thank you!!!
Date: March 9, 2024
Website: Google
Very reliable and helpful place...
-Courteney -
Very reliable and helpful place to go get your transmission work done. They stay within the quote they give you before tax. 10/10 recommend these gentleman helping you out.
Date: March 9, 2024
Website: Google
Had a great experience here...
Brooke Berkech
Had a great experience here at mister transmission. great customer service and kind gentleman. highly recommended for any transmission issues you have:)
Date: March 8, 2024
Website: Google
There is customer service and...
Pam Shere
There is customer service and then there is amazing customer service. These guys have the amazing. I can't say enough good things. I can always rely on staff to give me an honest assessment, and show me what is going on, and treat me well during the experience. I never feel like a woman being taken advantage of. The staff makes me feel welcome, almost like a part of their own family. The prices are fair, the shop is clean, and the location is easy to access. Even if you just need to come in for an assessment or to investigate what is going on, these guys have you covered. I highly recommend.
Date: March 8, 2024
Website: Google
best transmission shop around
Jordan Leslie
best transmission shop around
Date: March 7, 2024
Website: Google
Thanks a lot Ken. I've...
Igor Nikolaenko
Thanks a lot Ken. I've just bought a used Subaru and it was shaking on acceleration. I thought that it was a transmission, but after Ken diagnose the car it was 5th cylinder misfire. Much cheaper fix.
Date: March 7, 2024
Website: Google
Friendly, professional staff from start...
Rhonda Holland
Friendly, professional staff from start to finish. On time and very knowledgeable. Knew what the issue with my Acura was and fixed it.
Date: March 7, 2024
Website: Google
The service was great I...
Hicham Jabari
The service was great I got my car fixed less than the expected time.and the price was very low compared to other service providers.highly recommended
Date: March 6, 2024
Website: Google
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