Common Transmission Problems in Cars
You can’t see your transmission without crawling under your car, but you will definitely know if it’s not working. Without a functioning transmission, as Bob Dylan put it: You ain’t going nowhere.
The job of the transmission is to match a constant speed engine with a variable speed vehicle. The transmission is the all-important “middle man” in the powertrain of your vehicle. It connects the power generator–the engine– to the power user — the differential and drive train, transmitting power and allowing the car to move. Transmission problems, left unattended, can become quite an expensive issue to correct.
Two Types of Transmissions
Automobiles have one of two types of transmissions. In an automatic transmission, shifting is controlled by on-board computer. In manual transmissions, shifting is controlled by the driver using a clutch and gear shifter.
Both types of transmission can experience the same types of problems, although the symptoms and repair processes may differ. So just what are some common transmission problems and how will you know if your car is having them?
5 Common Transmission Problems
Here’s a list of five common transmission problems and what causes them:
Shift Lag
Transmissions are designed to go into the correct gear immediately, every time they shift. A delay in shifting is an early sign of some kind of transmission issue. In an automatic transmission vehicle, drivers may feel a shift lag when putting the car into drive from park or vice versa. With manual transmissions, shift lag tends to include a revving of the engine after shifting into a gear. The RPMs increase and the vehicle sounds like it’s moving quickly, but it will not be moving as quickly as it sounds.
Leaks and Low Fluid
Probably the most common and easily recognizable symptom of a transmission problem is a fluid leak. Transmission fluid, unlike motor oil, is not burned off during usage, so if the fluid level is low, there is a leak in the system. Automatic transmission fluid is vital to the safe functioning of the transmission, so if it’s even a little bit low, you need to take action before the problem escalates.
Grinding and Shimmying
A well-maintained, “healthy” transmission will provide the driver and passengers with smooth, barely-noticeable transitions as gears shift. A problem with the transmission, however, can make shifts very obvious. An automatic transmission that jiggles into gear after shifting will get progressively worse, if not attended, until the shift becomes a lurch. With a manual transmission, the driver may hear a grinding noise or feel grinding as the gear finds its place. If the grinding occurs after the clutch is fully engaged, the clutch may be the issue. Other causes can be damaged or worn gear synchronizers, also known as synchros.
Slipping
Perhaps one of the most frightening, dangerous symptoms of transmission problems is when the transmission shifts out of gear while moving. Transmissions are made to stay in a specific gear until a shift is made by the driver (in a manual vehicle) or the on-board computer (in an automatic vehicle). When your transmission spontaneously pops out of gear, you know there’s a problem. The solution could be as easy as checking the fluid, but it could be other issues as well. It needs to be checked by a professional mechanic as soon as possible.
Clunking, Whining, Humming
Listen to your car. Differences in makes and models make it difficult to say exactly how your car will sound when there’s a problem, but if you ever think “I’ve never heard that sound before,” pay attention to what your car is trying to tell you. Faulty automatic transmissions have been described as producing a buzzing, whining, or even humming noise. Manual transmissions make more of a clunking sound. You may only hear the noises intermittently, but you ignore them at your risk.
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