Find Out If You Are Running Low on Transmission Fluid
The transmission system of your car plays a pivotal role in controlling the delivery of power from your engine to the wheels or the driveshaft. This system is made up of a range of components such as the gearbox. The gearbox works by rotating continuously to transmit the required amount of power. However, this also means that it suffers some wear and tear as a result of the friction and heat produced in the process.
To minimise the impact of the wear and tear and ensure the gearbox performs efficiently, it has to be lubricated, which is why you need the transmission fluid. However, cracks and other issues in your transmission system can result in transmission fluid leaks. It's important to know when you are running low on transmission fluid and here are the signs to watch out for.
Delayed Engagement
A delayed response when engaging gears is one of the most common signs of low levels of transmission fluid. The transmission fluid provides the pressure that your transmission system needs to initiate a gear shift or change. If your vehicle has low levels of the fluid, the gear shift will take longer than unusual to actuate. Therefore, watch out for delayed engagement when you select gears such as reverse or drive if your car is automatic and when switching gears if you drive a manual.
Gear Slippage
If you notice that your car is slipping in and out of gear, it may be due to the low transmission fluid levels. Your vehicle needs the right amount of hydraulic power to stay in gear. The transmission fluid helps maintain the required amount of hydraulic power. Therefore, without enough transmission fluid, your transmission system won't have enough power to keep your current gear in position.
If you have an automatic car, you will in most cases notice your gears slipping when moving from Drive to Park and vice versa. For a manual, your engine's revolutions per minute (RPMs) may be higher than usual. That is, your vehicle will sound like it's moving faster than it actually is after you shift gears.
No Shifting
In severe cases where you are running extremely low on transmission fluid or if the fluid has run out completely, you may not be able to experience any shifting at all. You should never get to this point because refilling the transmission fluid does not always work. You may have to replace the transmission, which will be quite costly.
For more information, contact your local mechanic.
