Quite possibly one of the most sickening feelings regarding your car is when you suspect you’re having transmission problems. That’s probably because most people know the cost of replacing a transmission, which has a price tag no one wants to swallow.

Regardless of what kind of transmission you have in your vehicle – manual, automatic, or CVT – the transmission gearbox is attached to the engine. That gearbox takes power created by the engine, harnesses that power and transmits it appropriately to the axles, which spin the wheels of the vehicle. Due to the complexity of these integral driving components, it's important to have the proper transmission services completed regularly to prevent several problems, one of the most common being a slipping transmission.

Christian Brothers Automotive can provide you with regular transmission fluid replacements and inspections on a schedule tailored to your particular driving habits and vehicle's manufacturer recommendations. However, problems like transmission slippage cannot be delayed and need to be taken care of immediately. It’s truly a matter of safety for you and those who may be driving with you.

Today, you’ll learn what a slipping transmission feels like, what causes it, and how to fix it.

What Does Transmission Slipping Feel Like?

A slipping transmission will feel like the gears have "slipped," causing a jerk in motion as you press the gas pedal, change gears, or simply drive with your automatic transmission.

A slipping transmission is often associated with one or more of a wide variety of symptoms – but it will always result in a feeling of acceleration without the car going any faster. Other signs of transmission slipping include:

• No change in RPMs when pressing on the gas
• A sudden and dramatic change in RPMs
• Weak, stubborn, or delayed acceleration
• General difficulty shifting gears manually
• Changes in pitch when changing gear

You may even see your check engine light pop on. The check engine light could be blamed on many other things besides your transmission, but if you're already having problems with your transmission and the engine light is illuminated on your dashboard, it's most definitely time to bring your vehicle in for service.

So, what causes transmission slippage in the first place?

What Causes Transmission Slippage?

The most common causes of transmission slippage are problems with fluid and worn out parts. Let’s talk about both.

Transmission Fluid Problems

Transmission fluid is essential for lubricating the moving parts of the transmission. Without it, your transmission will overheat, leading to sudden damage and irregularities to your transmission and your engine's power. In addition, the fluid in automatic transmissions provides the needed hydraulic pressure and friction to move the many parts that make up that system. Basically, you have to have fluid, and it needs to be in great condition.

There are a couple of potential issues with your transmission fluid:

• Not enough fluid in the system
• Burnt fluid
• Dirty and worn-out fluid

Checking your transmission fluid could help you solve problems with your transmission slipping or potentially prevent it in some cases, but leaks and other line problems will probably need some professional attention and repair.

How Often Should My Fluid be Changed?

Transmission fluid changes should be done around every 60,000 miles or according to your manufacturer's specific guidelines. During this service, an auto technician will flush all transmission fluid and impurities from the entire transmission, the pan is inspected and cleaned, and the filter is replaced, giving you a rejuvenated system.

Worn Out or Bad Parts

Transmission slippage may also be due to worn out parts caused by normal wear and tear, especially as the vehicle reaches higher mileage. Every part of the transmission is important to your car's reliability, so these parts should be repaired and replaced as problems pop up:

Transmission Solenoid

Your vehicle's transmission solenoid is a valve that controls the flow of fluid throughout the system at the discretion of the vehicle's computer. The solenoid pack can often be the culprit of slippage during any downshifting and general delays in the vehicle's shifting.

Transmission Bands

In automatic transmissions, bands are used to link the gears together. Over time, these bands can become worn out, causing the connection to become loose or break apart, leading to a slipping transmission when changing gears.

Clutch

Have you noticed a burning smell in your car's cabin or problems clutching and shifting? Your acceleration problems may be due to a worn or bad clutch. Both automatic and manual transmission cars have clutches that engage or disengage the power that the wheels receive from the engine, which will need to be inspected regularly to keep things in check.

Torque Converter

Torque converters convert power from the engine into harnessed and controlled energy in order to appropriately move the parts that move your car. A bad torque converter can cause a transmission to slip when pressing down on the gas pedal. You'll also notice rough idling, rough acceleration and/or rattling noises during acceleration, and possibly even your car refusing to move in drive or reverse.

Gears

Like the other components under your hood and throughout your vehicle's body, your transmission gears won't last forever (the parts we mentioned above that move your car). They can become damaged or worn out easily due to:

• Shifting when not completely stopped
• Towing beyond the vehicle's capacity
• Running low on transmission fluids
• Using incorrect transmission fluids

When or if you experience transmission slippage, your first thought might be about how to fix it. We have a few thoughts on that.

How Can I Fix My Slipping Transmission?

Identifying the cause on your own can be tricky without the expertise and proper diagnostic tools. To be certain that you're getting the best transmission services for your car, bring your vehicle to a local auto mechanic to help troubleshoot your transmission system and find the best fix as soon as slipping is noticed. Your transmission is simply one of those complex car parts that rarely–if ever–land on the list of DIY repairs.

If I can’t repair it on my own, can I prevent it from needing repairs?

Can a Slipping Transmission Be Prevented?

Driving habits can greatly impact your transmission, so it's important to take an honest self-assessment of your current practices to identify and stop anything that may be causing unnecessary stress to your transmission and more. For example, never shift into drive if your car is still moving backward; always come to a complete stop. And, never shift into park if your car is still moving forward.

Additionally, transmission inspections and services should be taken seriously and done regularly to help you avoid breakdowns, ensure your transmission and its over 800 internal parts continue working properly, and, ultimately, keep you driving down the road with peace of mind.

Request Your Transmission Services from Your Neighborhood's Favorite Auto Shop

While the solution may be as simple as topping off your fluids, it may also be a bit more complex, requiring a part to be repaired or replaced, so the specific fix can depend on what is exactly causing the slippage. Whatever the problem may be, the team at Christian Brothers Automotive is here to help!

We'll take the time to listen to the problems you're having with your transmission and recommend services based on what we find during our diagnostic inspection. We’d prefer to help you avoid a full breakdown of your system and help you focus on the most important things in your life.

Don't delay – stop transmission slipping and prevent future problems with Christian Brothers Automotive's help. Locate your closest shop today to learn more about our services or to schedule your visit! In addition to fixing cars, we’re Driving Joy!

Let’s make that appointment!