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Has this happened to you? You hop into your vehicle, start the engine, attempt to shift to drive (or into first gear) and quickly realize your transmission refuses to go into gear. Or it gets stuck in first, and you’re left to wonder why won’t your transmission shift out of first gear? At times like these, you can be forgiven if one of Murphy’s Laws creeps into your mind, namely: “If anything can go wrong, it will.”

Whether your vehicle is having trouble changing gears, you notice there’s a delayed engagement, or you hear disconcerting noises when shifting gears, such woes can be the result of a myriad of factors. Determining what the root of your car’s uncooperative transmission is, requires the insight and expertise of an experienced, technology-savvy technician.

Common Causes of Transmission Problems

Whether mechanical, electrical, or technological, a malfunctioning transmission can often be attributed to one of these causes:

• Leaking, low, or oxidizing transmission fluid. If your vehicle’s transmission fluid is low (or the fluid level is in excess), leaking, or hasn’t been changed in recent memory along with the filter, it could be oxidizing (burning).
• Failing gear synchronizers. On manual transmissions, a failing or worn out gear synchronizer may be the culprit. If your gears aren’t synchronized properly, it won’t shift gears smoothly.
• The engine control unit (ECU) needs to be updated. Modern vehicles are as much about technology as they are about mechanics. It could be your vehicle’s ECU software is outdated and needs an upgrade.
• A worn out clutch. Mechanical parts on any vehicle are subject to wear and tear. If your engine is revving while gears change, it’s possible you need to get the clutch replaced.

Are you experiencing problems shifting gears when you drive? Visit the Mister Transmission service centre nearest you, let our expert technicians fix what ails, and get you back on the road quickly.