The #1 cause of transmission failure is low fluid, which causes overheating. In automatic transmissions, it causes delayed engagement, harsh shifts, and slippage.
Time and mileage vary between car drivers and how they use or abuse their transmissions. Still, typical automatic transmissions last around 150,00 to 200,000 miles or approximately 7 years.
Once you have a good idea of your car's value, you can compare it to the cost of transmission repair. If the price of a new transmission is no more than 40% to 60% of your car's value, then it's probably worth the cost of repair.
The short answer to this question is no, you should not drive with a bad transmission.
Luckily, transmission failure doesn't usually happen without warning. There are several warning signs that your transmission's going out.
Transmission Mileage
One of the most important factors is the age and mileage of the transmission. Automatic transmissions often fail between 80,000 and 150,000 miles. Manual transmissions can fail even sooner than that, especially when routine maintenance is neglected.
Often (though not always) a faulty transmission will trigger an engine diagnostic code and trip the Check Engine Light to let you know. Same goes if your engine overheats because of a bad transmission. Problems with a solenoid, speed sensor, slippage, and more can cause the Check Engine Light to come on.
When the transmission has actually gone out, basically your vehicle will not move. This is because the gears can no longer get power from the engine. As a result, the engine will idle, stall, or surge when shifting gears.
A car has two speed sensors: the ISS and the OSS, working together to show the transmission data to the car's powertrain module. The ISS sensor monitors the input shaft's speed. If these sensors get misaligned, the operation of the transmission system will be affected.
Depending on the issue (low fluid is an easy DIY job), most transmission problems can only be properly diagnosed and repaired by a reputable mechanic. Most transmission repairs require specific tools and replacement parts to get them back up to speed.
Why the Transmission Won't Shift Gears. One reason why an automatic transmission isn't shifting into gear has to do with the fluid. If it's not at the right level or the incorrect type has been used, then it'll affect the gears. Another big reason has to do with the ECM possibly going bad.
Shift your transmission into drive. Don't let go of the brake. Put the pedal to the metal While pressing on the brake pedal, press the accelerator to the floor for two to three seconds. Don't exceed five seconds, or you risk blowing out the transmission.
If you keep driving your vehicle with a bad torque converter, the latter will cause considerable damage to the components within your transmission. You will spend a lot of money fixing those issues and still fix or replace the damaged or bad torque converter.
To test the torque converter, you must step on the pedal to the floor and accelerate your engine for up to five seconds. The reading for the revolutions per minute (RPM) will max out at the stall speed.
At the moment of steady speed, the tachometer should show no more than 2,000 rpm for a 6-speed gearbox; and no more than 3,000 – for a 4-speed gearbox. If the readings are higher and the engine roars, the box is faulty. Check the used car operation on automatic downshifts. Accelerate and coast the vehicle.
Although rebuilds are more extensive than repairs, they don't offer the same return to factory performance as replacements. While less expensive than a replacement, transmission rebuilds are much more costly than repairs.
The average price range for transmission replacement is between $1,800 and $3,400 for a brand-new component. The additional cost of labor is often between $500 and $1,200, and you should also take taxes and associated fees into account.
Failing vehicles are likely to require repair after repair. You might pay thousands to replace the transmission—only to find the engine fails next week. Even with frequent smaller issues, the cost of ongoing repair services can add up quickly—making a new car well worth the extra investment.
Short answer: no! The only thing you should do if you think you have a faulty transmission is go for a quick jaunt to your local mechanic.