My Car Is Having Trouble Shifting – What Do I Do?

How Your Car’s Transmission Functions

Automatic transmission vehicles use a planetary system of gears that function by transferring power through different gear ratios. The planetary gear system features a sun gear or central gear, the outer ring, and planet gears that allow the gear ratios to change when the vehicle accelerates. An automatic drive train pairs to a torque converter that acts as a clutch between the drive train and the transmission. This set up allows the transmission to change gears when the vehicle speeds up or slows down.

In manual systems, a flywheel is attached to the engine’s crankshaft and rotates with it. There’s a clutch disc located in the middle of the pressure plate and the flywheel. It holds against the flywheel due to pressure coming from the pressure plate. When the clutch is released, the flywheel spins your vehicle’s clutch plate, together with the transmission forcing your vehicle to move. Therefore, when you press the clutch pedal, the pressure plate stops the pressure applied on the clutch disk, allowing gears to engage without damaging your transmission.

My Vehicle Has an Automatic Transmission System, Am I Affected?

It is also important to note that shifting problems don’t only affect manual transmission vehicles. They affect automatic transmission vehicles as well. Vehicles using an automatic system might not have a clutch pedal or a shift stick, but they still experience shifting problems. In an automatic transmission vehicle, the driver might experience difficulty getting the vehicle from Park into gear. In an automatic transmission vehicle, these problems can often start with the shift interlock system. The shift interlock system is what requires the driver to step on the brake pedal preventing the unintentional shift out of Park.

What Causes Hard Shifting Problems?

A vehicle that refuses to shift or into gear smoothly indicates there is a problem with your transmission. In most cases, the culprit is your transmission or clutch. A vehicle’s transmission system is very complicated. It has several moving parts, ignoring such an issue could quickly spiral into expensive repairs. Your transmission could have problems shifting due to many reasons, including:

• Failed transmission
• Failed transmission solenoid
• Contaminated transmission fluid
• Worn out shifter cable
• Worn out clutch disc

How Will I Know My Vehicle Isn’t Shifting Properly?

Warning Light

Getting a transmission warning indicator doesn’t necessarily mean you have a shifting problem. However, if you notice the light along with the following symptoms, you need to have your car checked immediately.

Gear Shifts On Its Own

If you have a manual transmission vehicle that suddenly engages without your action or an automatic transmission vehicle that slides into neutral on its own, you have a gear shifting problem.

Vehicle’s Gears Shift Hard

If your vehicle isn’t shifting gears smoothly or is reluctant to shift, you probably have a shifting issue. Some drivers will notice a thud or cluck when the vehicle shifts gears, and often, the vehicle has difficulty accelerating to proper speeds.

Delayed Response

Your vehicle will have a bit of a lag before moving or going into drive. This happens after you have pressed your clutch down, released it to a point where gears need to engage, triggering your vehicle to move forward. But there’s a slight pause before it begins to move, even after revving your engine.

Transmission Fluid Leak

Your vehicle will be slow to respond to shifting if you have a transmission fluid leak. Ideally, your transmission fluid shouldn’t leak. In case you notice a puddle of fluid under your vehicle, you could have a loose plug or a clogged filter. At this point, you need to check the leaking fluid; it needs to have a sweet smell and is pink in color.

What Options Do I Have?

AAMCO Minnesota is a wide range of transmission services for your vehicle, from simple minor maintenance to a total transmission rebuild. When your vehicle is hard to shift, its often an indicator that your transmission or clutch is failing. The amount of time you take to respond to this problem will determine if it will be a simple, inexpensive adjustment, or a major rebuild that could cost thousands of dollars.

In case you experience any of the issues discussed, its important that you have your transmission checked immediately. At AAMCO Minnesota, our professional technicians will inspect your vehicle’s transmission as well as other components for leaks, contamination, failing solenoids, clutch or shifter cable. Our inspection service will help determine the accurate diagnosis of your hard-shifting problem.