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.

Mister Transmission Team

The Mister Transmission team consists of certified transmission specialists with decades of combined experience in diagnosing, repairing, and maintaining automatic and manual transmissions.

With over 60 years of service across Canada, our experts provide trusted, accurate, and up-to-date automotive advice to help drivers make informed decisions about their vehicles.

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Customer Reviews
Amazing work by this team!...
Rachel Brown
Amazing work by this team! Jim made the whole process super quick and easy. He took the time to explain everything I needed to know and answer all my questions very clearly and ensured it was a stress free experience! Thanks again Jim!
Date: July 7, 2026
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The gentlemen here were amazing....
Michelle Grossi
The gentlemen here were amazing. From the moment I brought my car to the shop until I picked it up! Mohamed understood my concerns and worries and treated me with amazing respect and kindness. These guys are special and I have no hesitation in coming back. Thank you!
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Justin is everything you hope...
Anna Rufo
Justin is everything you hope to find in a mechanic- knowledgeable, honest, and genuinely kind. Our entire family trusts him with all of our vehicles, and we’d follow him anywhere. He always takes the time to explain things clearly, never recommends work that isn’t needed, and truly has his customers’ best interests at heart. We’re especially grateful for the times he’s helped us out in a pinch. Car trouble is never convenient, and when the unexpected happens, it’s reassuring to know there’s someone you can completely trust. Justin consistently goes above and beyond, and we can’t recommend him highly enough. If you’re looking for someone who is skilled, trustworthy, and treats you like family, he’s the one to see.
Date: July 7, 2026
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Carlos was do good with...
Carol Spitzig
Carlos was do good with me. Called him Monday he got the car in that day. Repaired by 2 on Tuesday. The bill was his quote exactly and labour costs quite good. Will deal with them again if needed. Great Job Carlos. Carol S.
Date: July 7, 2026
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Brought my 2010 forester to...
Troy Richert
Brought my 2010 forester to Mr. Transmission as I was experiencing torque binding from the transmission. Despite there was some communications issues and was brought to their attention, they made everything right for me the customer and felt like I was treated fairy and my Subaru is working well. I will for sure come back for my servicing needs when it comes to transmission problems. Good honest service!
Date: July 6, 2026
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Mister Transmission had my Nissan...
George M.
Mister Transmission had my Nissan transmission rebuilt in the time frame they said it would be. Although the cost was a real schocker, it is what it is. The guys there are friendly, courteous and knowledgeable. I wouldn't hesitate to go back there.
Date: July 5, 2026
Website: Google
I cannot say enough good...
Candace Caron-Lennan
I cannot say enough good things about the team at Mr. Transmission. From the moment I brought my vehicle in, despite not having a prior appointment, I was treated with kindness, professionalism, and a level of customer service that is truly exceptional. Throughout the entire process, the staff kept me informed every step of the way, taking the time to explain what was happening with my vehicle and what repairs were being completed. Their communication, honesty, and dedication made what could have been a very stressful experience so much easier to manage. What impressed me the most was their willingness to go above and beyond for their customers. When a required part was only available at a dealership several hours away, they actually made the trip to pick it up themselves to ensure my vehicle could be repaired as quickly as possible. That level of commitment and customer care is incredibly rare and speaks volumes about the kind of business they are. I cannot thank the team at Mr. Transmission enough for the exceptional service they provided. They exceeded every expectation I had and demonstrated that they genuinely care about their customers and the quality of their work. I will absolutely be recommending Mr. Transmission to anyone who needs transmission repairs, diagnostics, or related services, and I will specifically be referring them to this location. If you’re looking for a shop that is honest, knowledgeable, and truly goes above and beyond, this is the place to go. Thank you again for everything! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Date: July 4, 2026
Website: Google
(Translated by Google) He was...
Jocelyne Bourré
(Translated by Google) He was honest in telling us the exact problem and what to do, but that they couldn't fix it. (Original) Il a été honnête pour nous dire le problème exacte et comme quoi faire mais qu'eux ne pouvaient le réparer
Date: July 4, 2026
Website: Google
I had brought my 2019...
Kyle
I had brought my 2019 Ram 2500 Cummins to Mister Transmission and needless to say, they are the best shop I have ever done business with. Very polite, knowledgeable and respectful. I’m very happy with everything they’ve done for me!
Date: July 4, 2026
Website: Google
I had brought my 2019...
Kyle
I had brought my 2019 Ram 2500 Cummins to Mister Transmission and needless to say, they are the best shop I have ever done business with. Very polite, knowledgeable and respectful. I’m very happy with everything they’ve done for me!
Date: July 4, 2026
Website: Google
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