Common causes of a transmission slipping

Transmission slipping can be a major huddle, particularly for automatic transmissions. If your vehicle is showing signs of slipping then you need to get it fixed immediately. What can start off as a minor issue can easily escalate into an expensive repair down the line. Slipping does not necessarily mean that your transmission is near failure however, it indicates that maintenance is required. Because of the sophistication behind automatic transmissions, there can be various causes while for manual versions the problem is often associated with the clutch.

  • Low fluid levels: The most common cause for transmission slipping is low fluid levels. Low fluid levels can create a number of problems, such as overheating and not enough hydraulic pressure being produced to engage gears. The best way to find out whether you have low fluid levels is to check the fluid using the dipstick in the engine compartment. The transmission fluid is in a closed system and should never be low; low levels could indicate a leak in the transmission.

 

  • Burnt fluid: Can be distinguished by the smell of burnt toast or a black colour. Burnt fluid occurs when your transmission overheats. You will have to change the transmission fluid immediately or have it looked at by a transmission specialist in order to diagnose for further damage

 

  • Worn or broken transmission bands:Transmission bands can become worn or broken, which can cause your transmission to slip. Bands are what links the gears in the automatic transmission together. To solve this problem, you need the defective band replaced or adjusted.

 

  • Clutch problems: Automatic and manual transmissions both make utilize clutches. Automatics have clutch plates throughout the transmission and in the torque converter that may become worn or burnt from inadequate transmission fluid.

 

  • Worn out gears: With time,gears can wear out, this is due to normal wear and tear or a malfunctioning set. Worn or frayed gears don’t properly link together so this can cause a bumpy shift.