If you have a transmission slipping, signs and symptoms can appear, like your car or truck engine will rev but not move or your car won’t accelerate and the RPMs are high. Learn a fix for a slipping transmission and how to prevent it with these tips from our expert mechanic Sue.
Signs and Symptoms of a Transmission Slipping
If your transmission is slipping, it may not malfunction all the time while driving or trying to move your car, but will not shift into gear enough times to be noticeable. Here are some signs that your transmission is slipping:
1. Car Won’t Accelerate and Has High RPMs
One sign of a transmission slipping is while driving you press the accelerator pedal but your car won’t accelerate even though the RPMs on your dash measure high.
2. Car Won’t Shift into Gear and Move
With a slipping transmission, you may also find at times that as you shift into gear to move your car, it doesn’t. The transmission is not always shifting into the right gear when you need it to.
How to Avoid Transmission Slipping
Keep Up with Maintenance
Maintenance is a good way to avoid problems like transmission slipping. Change the filters at manufacturer recommended intervals. You can find information like this in the owner’s manual. The types and number of filters vary depending on the vehicle.
Inline filters are held in by a few screws to the lines to collect debris.
Secondary filters can be changed in between the intervals for the internal transmission filter, which means changing the secondary transmission filters probably around every 50,000 miles.
When changing the internal filter, if you don’t see a seal attached to the filter’s input stem, see if it’s still inside the transmission. You can remove it with a small pick. Be as careful as possible to not score the aluminum transmission, which can cause problems with the transmission fluid pressure. Make sure the new seal fits snug before installing the transmission filter.
Use the Right Transmission Fluid for Your Vehicle
It’s difficult to tell the difference between semi-synthetic and full synthetic transmission fluid. Using the wrong fluid, even if it’s one quart, can cause problems with the transmission long-term.
How to Fix Transmission Slipping
Replace a Defective Valve Body Solenoid Pack
The valve body solenoid pack is also known to cause erratic shifting and slipping. The solenoid is an important part that works on demand for upshifting and downshifting.
It’s a simple procedure to replace this part, as you’ll need to remove and install a push-bolt and connect and disconnect the part. It may need to be programmed after installation depending on the application.
Service the Transmission
Make sure the transmission fluid is in good condition and the right fluid is being used. Depending on the model, you may have a transmission dipstick to check the fluid condition and level. To service the transmission, you’ll need to remove the drain plug from the transmission or transmission oil pan and change the transmission filter. Then you can add new fluid.
How to Check for Bad Transmission Fluid
How-to Videos for DIY Car Repairs
Learn how to change transmission fluid, replace parts, diagnose issues and more with expert tips and step-by-step instructions from professional and experienced mechanics in our how-to videos.
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