One of the most costly repairs that can be performed on a vehicle is the transmission repair. They take a a lot of work to fix and get back into shape. You don’t want to take it into the shop if there’s nothing really wrong, knowing when your transmission is slipping can help.
The biggest sign that your transmission is slipping is that the tachometer will shoot high into the air. It’s like driving in the snow. The engine speed increases but the car doesn’t go anywhere.
What a Slipping Transmission Feels Like
So, how do you know if your transmission is slipping? You can often tell by the feel. Typically, a transmission is going to slip at a higher vehicle speed, under heavy engine load. As the slipping issue gets worse, the conditions that will cause the vehicle to slip will lessen. That is to say, it’ll take less of a combination of vehicle speed and acceleration to produce the slipping condition.
A slipping transmission will feel:
- Strange– It’ll sound like the vehicle has begun to accelerate hard. But it hasn’t. The transmission is just giving up. As it does, the strain on the engine lessens. It’s like dropping into neutral with the gas pedal pushed in.
- Quick– It usually will last for a few seconds at first. Once you let off the gas (which happens for most folks as a reflex) the transmission will have the opportunity to grab again.
These conditions will feel the same regardless of whether or not the transmission is an automatic or manual. They both use clutches for different gears (automatic) or a singular clutch (manual).
Time + Miles = Slipping Transmission
Either way, the process is the exact same. The clutch gives out and the engine RPM increases. It doesn’t mean that you did anything wrong. Clutches are an item that wears out. The only question is when. Time + Miles = Slipping Transmission. The only variable is going to be how many starts and stops that the transmission has been through and how hard it has been driven.
Don’t Ignore the Transmission Fluid
Many cars today come with transmissions that have a “lifetime fill”. That means that the transmission fluid and filter are so good that the manufacturer thinks that it will hold for the lifetime of the vehicle. Most vehicles still do need to have a fluid change and filter replacement from time to time. Don’t ignore this.
Ignoring transmission fluid can cause the transmission to start slipping long before it would with proper care. The transmission fluid can tell you a lot about what is going on with the transmission. Not having enough of it will cause an automatic transmission to slip for sure. Check out the low transmission fluid signs article for more. (spoiler alert: #1 sign of low transmission fluid is the transmission slipping). Using the color of the transmission fluid can help you tell if it’s what is causing the transmission to slip.
How to Stop a Transmission from Slipping
There’s an article on this site all about transmission slipping diagnosis. If are convinced that it is slipping, it’s a great place to start. Otherwise, there are really going to be two different situations that you’ll have to address to stop a transmission from slipping:
- Low Fluid– Fill the transmission back up and it’ll stop slipping. Please do note that transmission fluid (unlike oil) is highly flammable. Don’t let it hit your hot exhaust. While you’re at it, try to find the reason why you were that low. Letting the transmission slip because of low fluid can take years off of its life in only a few days.
- Mechanical Failure– Unless you feel up to the task of rebuilding an automatic transmission, it may be time to seek the help of a professional, or order a re-manufactured unit.
What Happens When Your Transmission Blows
Typically, when a transmission “blows” it doesn’t explode, it stops sending power to the rear wheels. That’s really all there is to it. Sometimes there are signs that this is coming. You’re on a page dedicated to the #1 sign that a transmission may blow right now: slipping. It’s an issue that needs addressed before you end up stranded.
Wrapping Up: Knowing When Your Transmission is Slipping
Having an understanding of when your transmission could slip can keep you from getting stranded somewhere. Hopefully, if you’ve found this page you got off easy and the fluid was only low. Good luck!