What Does it Mean for a Transmission to Slip?
A vehicle’s transmission is one of the most vital parts to safe and effective driving. While you might already know why transmissions are important to driving, it’s also important to know how a faulty transmission can negatively impact the safety of a trip. Due to a number of factors, which can include maintenance problems, vehicle fluid levels, or clutch issues, a transmission can sometimes slip. If you own a vehicle, the transmission is either controlled by a manual maneuver or a computerized, automatic maneuver. For example, changing the vehicle from neutral to drive typically happens with repositioning of the gear shift. When a vehicle’s transmission “slips” it begins to unexpectedly switch gears without any manual or automatic reason to do so. Transmission slips pose serious safety hazards to drivers and require immediate examinations from auto repair professionals.
What Are Signs that Your Transmission Has Slipped?
Transmission slips can happen at any time, and if you’re not familiar with automobiles, it can be difficult to diagnose without knowing the warning signs. There are a few issues with your vehicle that can indicate that a transmission slip has occurred. Some of these signs include engine noises while driving, difficulty switching gears, delayed acceleration, and the check engine light coming on. In addition to these warning signs, others may include burning smells coming from the vehicle, grinding noises, and difficulty shifting into reverse. If you believe that your transmission may have slipped, you’re not going to want to take chances with that. Bring it to AA Automatic Transmissions for an evaluation of your transmission to avoid any safety risks.
Is There a Solution for Transmission Slipping for My Vehicle?
In many cases when you’ve experienced a transmission slip, there are auto repair techniques that can remedy the issue. Some are relatively quick fixes, while others might take a few days to get done. One of the simpler ways to address the issue is by first checking the vehicle fluid levels to find out if they are low or potentially burnt or worn out. When this is the case, simply refilling the vehicle fluid or topping it off can make all the difference in the world. When this is the issue, many guides are available for manually implementing this option. To play it safe, you may want to consider bringing your vehicle to a specialist to consider all of the options that could’ve caused the transmission slip. Replacing the clutch or transmission bands can also potentially fix any issues if they’re the source of the problem. No matter what has caused the transmission to slip, professional transmission mechanics can get the job done correctly for you and get your car back on the road.
How Can I Prevent My Transmission from Slipping Before it Happens?
If you’re reading about all of the factors that cause transmissions to slip, the next natural question might be: “How can I prevent my transmission from slipping before it happens?”
There are a few precautions you can take to try to prevent an eventual transmission slip in advance. One easy way is to make sure you receive routine maintenance and inspections for your vehicle to make sure it functions properly. Having your vehicle fluid levels and filters checked every two years or 30,000 miles can make sure your vehicle works the way it should beyond that point. When you pay attention to the little things with your vehicle, it can eventually prevent a big issue. Make sure to schedule routine appointments to check out the factors that can lead to a transmission slip. Your friends at AA Automatic Transmissions will happily check things out for you and get your vehicle back on the road quickly.
Is it Safe to Drive With a Slipped Transmission?
While this is a relatively loaded question and answer, the short and cautious answer is no. While it is possible to make short trips with a transmission slip, it can be dangerous and is not advisable. Any time your vehicle becomes difficult to control or begins to shake, this is a tell-tale sign that you need to pull the vehicle over and seek professional assistance. If your vehicle has displayed these symptoms and you choose to drive it, there could be significant ramifications. One of the most important parts of driving is having the ability to control the vehicle and shift gears smoothly. If you feel like you cannot do this, whether due to a transmission slip or not, you cannot drive the vehicle safely. Please use caution and bring your vehicle to a transmission professional if you experience shaking or difficulty shifting gears.
Where Do I Bring My Vehicle After a Transmission Slip?
When you believe you’ve experienced a transmission slip, bring your vehicle to the transmission professionals at AA Automatic Transmissions in Christiansburg, VA. Located on Depot Street, our team of experienced transmission experts can repair, analyze, and improve your transmission at a great price. We work hard to get drivers back on the road with all of our transmission services. We want to help you after a transmission slip so give us a call today or have your vehicle towed directly to us. We can’t wait to provide exceptional service for you!
For more information on checking your transmission, vehicle fluid, or any type of transmission work on your car, truck, or SUV, call AA Automatic Transmissions at (540) 382-5959.
