Transmission slipping or shifting hard? What the signs mean

Signs to watch for

• Slipping: the engine revs climb but the car doesn’t speed up, or it feels like it briefly shifts into neutral.
• Harsh, late or clunky shifts, especially when the car is cold or in stop-and-go traffic.
• A delay or a thump when you shift into Drive or Reverse.
• Whining, humming or grinding that changes with speed.
• A burning smell, or red or brownish fluid under the middle of the car.
• A transmission warning light, or the check engine light with the car stuck in one gear.
• On a manual: a clutch that slips, grabs high, or gears that grind going in.

What usually causes it

• Low fluid from a leak. Transmissions do not use up fluid, so low fluid almost always means a leak somewhere.
• Old or overheated fluid that has lost its protection. Fresh fluid is usually red or pink; dark brown fluid or a burnt smell is a warning.
• A faulty sensor, solenoid or wiring problem. Modern automatics are computer controlled and store trouble codes when something is off.
• Wear inside the transmission, or a worn clutch on a manual.

Checking the fluid yourself

Many newer cars have no transmission dipstick at all and need to be checked on a lift. If yours has one, follow the owner’s manual exactly: some are checked with the engine warm and running in Park, others are different. Only add the fluid type listed in the manual. The wrong fluid, or too much of it, can cause problems of its own.

Why city driving is hard on transmissions

Stop-and-go traffic, short trips, idling and heavy loads all build heat, and heat is what wears transmission fluid out. Many owner’s manuals have a separate "severe service" schedule for this kind of driving, with shorter intervals. If you drive for a living or mostly in city traffic, that schedule is probably the one that applies to you.

When to stop driving

• The car barely moves, or slips every time you accelerate.
• You smell burning or see smoke.
• The car is stuck in one gear (often called "limp mode") with a warning light on.
• There is loud grinding or banging from under the car.

Driving on a slipping transmission can turn a smaller repair into a much bigger one. Pull over somewhere safe and call.

Check for open recalls

Some transmission problems are covered by a manufacturer recall or software update. You can check your car for free by entering its VIN on the NHTSA recall lookup.

How we handle it here

• We check the fluid level and condition, look for leaks, read the transmission codes and drive the car to feel the problem for ourselves.
• We do transmission repair and fluid service in our shop. We tell you what we found, what it needs and what your options are, and give you the price before any work starts.
• Nothing is done without your approval, and you can ask for a written estimate.
• We are open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and we speak English and Spanish.