Anyone who has driven for a few years has experienced a slipping automatic transmission. It really is quite a normal problem, and the causes of that slippage are usually easily diagnosed.
A slipping transmission occurs because the transmission’s gear sets fail to engage or synchronize properly. When this happens you cannot count on the transmission shifting into the proper gear and that leads to poor fuel economy and future damage to your transmission.
Here are a few reasons why your automatic transmission is slipping:
- Probably the most common reason for a slipping transmission is that your car is low on transmission fluid. The fluid is responsible for the hydraulic force necessary to power the transmission. Low levels of fluid means less hydraulic pressure and that means gears slipping out of place or shifting in an odd manner.
- Related to low fluid levels is a clogged transmission filter. When the filter is clogged, the fluid is not able to flow normally through the transmission, which again impedes the function of the bands and gears and thus causes slippage.
- Within an automatic transmission are a number of small, rubberized bands that wrap around the transmission gears and allow them to synchronize movement. When those bands are worn, slackness can occur around the gears and that can also cause your gears to slip.
- The item that pumps and pressurizes transmission fluid is called a torque converter. This pressurization is what pushes the fluid through the transmission. When the torque converter is not working properly, the right pressurization of fluid does not occur which then leads to the gears slipping out of place.
- Finally, those bands we spoke of earlier are adjusted to factory specifications. Bands that are too tight can lead to early wear on the transmission gears and that will cause band breakage. Bands that are tightened too loosely will allow the gears to slip and make the transmission and engine have to work harder to do their jobs.
For the average driver, the most common problem is low transmission fluid. That fluid should be checked every 15,000 miles simply by pulling the dip stick out and checking the level. If you are low on fluid then check your car manual for the right type of automatic transmission fluid (ATF), purchase that fluid at any auto parts store, and add as needed. Making sure that the fluid level is sufficient will go a long way towards making sure you do not have any slippage while driving.
If your fluid level is correct and you are still experiencing a slippage of gears, check with a professional to find the other problems. Unless you are an experienced mechanic, you should not attempt to replace bands or a torque converter.
