What Causes a Transmission to Slip?

If you own a car, truck, or SUV with an internal combustion engine, you know that the transmission is a vital part of your car’s engine in %target_city_2%% and Abilene. Because it’s a very complicated component, it can be expensive to repair your transmission in Stephenville. Find out everything you need to know about transmission slipping, including what causes a transmission to slip and transmission slipping signs, with our guide. Or schedule a service appointment today!

Transmission Slipping Signs

You’ll need to know the main transmission slipping signs that may manifest as you drive along Comanche roads or even as you idle. Transmission slipping usually just means you need to change out your transmission fluid.

Pay attention to the following signs of a slipping transmission: 

• Your internal combustion engine chugs or revs
• You notice weak or slow acceleration 
• Difficulty shifting gears
• Strange noises like grinding or whining 
• Strange burning smell 
• Check engine light comes on and stays on

What Causes a Transmission to Slip?

To find out what causes a transmission to slip, we’ve covered six main issues to be aware of: 

Transmission Fluid Needs to Be Changed

Your transmission needs transmission fluid, which is a red-colored hydraulic fluid, to operate at its best because it prevents friction in the transmission. So, if your transmission is sluggish, the fluid is the first component you’ll want to check. You might need to change the transmission fluid every 30,000 to 70,000 miles, depending on what the owner’s manual says.

Defective Solenoid

The transmission solenoid is an electromagnetic component that controls the transmission fluid’s flow throughout the device. If the solenoid is defective, the transmission may not be receiving enough fluid. Replacing a defective solenoid will make your transmission run much better.

Damaged Transmission Bands

Transmission bands link the gears together. If the bands wear out, it may be due to not enough transmission fluid. This is why replacing your transmission fluid is important! Check your transmission fluid at least once every couple of months to keep an eye on it and before anything breaks.

Clutch Issues in a Manual Transmission

Like transmission bands, the clutch relies on fresh transmission fluid to operate properly. Automatic transmissions have a torque converter instead of a main clutch. But if you have a manual transmission, you’ll want to keep an eye on the clutch. 

Worn Gears

Gears can wear out over time just because they have many moving parts. Transmission fluid is highly important to prolong the life of the gears, and we can’t stress enough about checking the transmission fluid and replacing it within the right interval to prevent problems like worn gears. 

Torque Converter Problems

The torque converter changes engine power into torque used by the transmission. In addition to slipping, other issues with the torque converter can include burning, smoking, gears jumping, failing to go into gear, or a complete blowout. 

Bring Your Vehicle to Bayer Auto Group for Transmission Service 

Do you think your transmission is slipping? Don’t hesitate to contact us, call (325) 356-2541, or schedule a service appointment to have the pros at Bayer Auto Group look over your vehicle. We want to help in any way we can as your trusted auto dealership near Abilene