No Response or Slow Response. Your car's transmission should be responsive and immediately switch gears when you need it to. If you notice that your transmission isn't responding quickly then it's time for a once over. The easiest way to see if this is happening is to put your car in park.
If your vehicle refuses or struggles to change gears, you are more than likely facing a problem with your transmission system. Low or incorrect types of transmission fluid could be the reason why your vehicle is refusing to switch gears.
Typically, when your transmission begins to fail you may start to notice some form of difficulty when changing gears. Occasionally you may hear or feel a clunk noise when you shift gear. Another sign of a rough shifting is difficulty in accelerating to the speed for the gear that it is in.
The short answer to this question is no, you should not drive with a bad transmission.
However, this is a HUGE mistake. Transmission problems don't just go away on their own, and if they're ignored for too long, your car may require a total transmission replacement – which is much more expensive than simple transmission repairs.
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.
Luckily, transmission failure doesn't usually happen without warning. There are several warning signs that your transmission's going out.
Park the vehicle, set the parking brake, then step on the clutch pedal, and put the transmission into first gear. Listen and feel for any grinding, or other noises when putting the shifter into gear, as that could indicate a potential problem with that particular gears' synchronizer.
Transmission Repairs
Often with a transmission repair, you are only fixing one specific part of the transmission. This repair can take place without having to rebuild the entire transmission. This option typically costs less than a rebuild or a replacement.
Transmissions rarely go out without a warning. Typically it takes a while, during which time there will be observable symptoms. Sometimes it's an easy fix and sometimes it isn't, but it's always better to catch an issue and get it repaired as soon as possible.
Low transmission fluid, clogged filters, and problems with the clutch can all contribute to transmission damage, so watch out for these issues. Here is a closer look at the common causes of transmission damage. Transmission fluid keeps your transmission lubricated, which allows it to do its job without issues.
Vehicle transmissions are one of the more complicated components of a vehicle and, consequently more difficult to repair or replace.
A new transmission may cost more than the car is worth, depending on how old the car is and how many miles the vehicle has accumulated. Generally, if the car is relatively new and in great shape apart from the transmission, it may be worth repairing the transmission, especially if you own a limited car.
Yes, transmission problems can cause your check engine light to come on. Your automobile's main computer, the engine control module (ECM), talks with system sensors to make sure everything is okay. If the transmission sensors report a problem, the ECM will turn on the check engine light.
Low Fluid – Low fluid level reduces the hydraulic pressure necessary to properly shift and operate the automatic transmission gear sets, which can cause the gears to slip or shift erratically. Dirty Filter – A dirty and/or clogged transmission filter can stop the normal flow of fluid, causing slipping of gears.
Grinding, Jerking, or Shaking
Shaking and jerking are good indicators of transmission trouble. Gear grinding is a common symptom in manual transmission vehicles. Automatic transmission failure often begins with some hesitation during gears shifting. Some might describe this a “slipping,” as well.
Replacements can range from $1,800 to $3,400. Depending on the repair shop and technicians, labor charges can range from $500 to $1,200. Here's a quick overview of the average transmission replacement cost: Remanufactured transmission – $1,300 to $3,400.
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.
The transmission of a modern vehicle is not one solid piece but a jumble of several moving parts. This is the primary reason fixing a vehicle's transmission is more expensive. Other factors that influence the overall costs of replacing a transmission include: The age of the vehicle.
Once a car gets to a certain age and mileage count, the new transmission may cost more than what the car is worth. We call this totalled in the car industry. If the car is relatively new and in great condition other than the transmission, then it is probably worth fixing.
A basic repair will cost between $200 and $500, with the price point increasing depending on the usual factors (complexity of repair, make and model of your vehicle). Extensive repairs, on the other hand, can cost anywhere between $1,000 and $5,000+.