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My Car Is Having Trouble Shifting…What Does This Mean?

Cross-section of a car gearbox and clutch.

Why am I having difficulty shifting gears?

Often, having trouble changing gears is symptomatic of a larger issue and should be taken seriously, but you can pay attention to more specific symptoms based on the following potential issues.

  • Transmission Fluid Leak
  • Failing Transmission Solenoids
  • Dirty or Contaminated Transmission Fluid
  • Bad Shifter Cable
  • Failing Transmission
  • Other Manual Transmission Problems

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1. Car Shifting Issues – What now?

2. Your Transmission System

2. What Problems Can Cause Difficult Shifting?

3. AAMCO Can Help!

4. More From Our Blog

Your Transmission System

Automatic Transmissions

If you have an older automatic car, your transmission likely uses planetary gears to shift. This includes one central gear, around which is a ring gear with internal gear teeth and two or three other planet gears. This transfers power through varying gear ratios as the car accelerates or slows down.

With newer automatic cars, there are an increasing number of designs for transmissions to improve efficiency and lifespan. A couple of these designs are CVT and dual clutch transmissions.

Manual Transmission Cars

Manual transmission cars use the combination of a crankshaft, flywheel, pressure plate, and clutch disk to shift gears. When you engage your clutch, the flywheel spins the clutch plate and transmission, causing the car to move. A depressed clutch means the pressure plate is not applying pressure to the clutch, meaning you are able to change gears without damaging the transmission.

Whether you drive an automatic or manual, a transmission expert will understand your car’s transmission and accurately diagnose the problem.

Related Article: Should You Get a Manual or Automatic Transmission?

Shift AWay from Car Problems

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What Problems Can Cause Difficult Shifting?

Because of the complicated nature of transmissions, there are a wide range of problems that can cause difficult gear shifting. Often, having trouble changing gears is symptomatic of a larger issue and should be taken seriously, but you can pay attention to more specific symptoms based on the following potential issues.

Transmission Fluid Leak

If you see spots under your car that look like fluid is leaking, you should take your car to a team of transmission experts to check for a transmission fluid leak. Transmissions are a sealed system and transmission fluid is essential for them to run properly. If fluid is leaking, that means a seal or gasket has likely worn out and low fluid levels can cause serious damage to your transmission.

Related Article: What Should Your Transmission Fluid Look Like?

Failing Transmission Solenoids

Solenoids control the flow of transmission fluid and will wear out over time. If the fluid is not flowing properly within the transmission, you will notice difficulty shifting gears.

Dirty or Contaminated Transmission Fluid

A good guideline is to change your transmission fluid every 100,000 miles. Over time, transmission fluid becomes dirty and contaminated and you will notice a difference in how your car runs, including the ease of changing gears. Another part of this transmission service is replacing your transmission filter to ensure the transmission pump is not being overworked. Changes in pressure due to a clogged transmission filter can also make shifting gears more difficult.

Related Article: What Happens If You Use The Wrong Transmission Fluid?

Bad Shifter Cable

Some cars use shifter cables as part of the transmission and they can stretch or break over time. If the shifter cable is stretched, it may be hard to shift into gear and the indicator needle may not line up with your actual current gear.

Failing Transmission

Parts within the transmission will often start wearing out around the time your car hits 100,000 miles. This process can also be exaggerated by low transmission fluid levels due to a leak. Additional symptoms of this problem include humming, clunking, and grinding noises. A team of transmission experts will be able to accurately diagnose which parts are failing and minimize the damage and your transmission repair costs.

Related Article: Should You Rebuild or Replace Your Transmission?

Other Manual Transmission Problems

If you drive a manual transmission, difficulty shifting can be a sign your clutch is failing. This can be due to a hydraulic fluid leak or due to the driver frequently accelerating or shifting gears without completely releasing the clutch. Other symptoms of this include a spongy feel to your clutch pedal and possibly a burning smell.

Manual transmission cars also use gear synchronizers (commonly called “synchros”) that make sure the gears you are shifting from and to are moving at the same speed. This ensures a smooth transition. Over time, your car’s gear synchronizers can wear out and is a common issue that can cause transmission failure when not addressed promptly.

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What Should You Do if You Are Having Trouble Shifting Gears?

Pay attention to any symptoms of these problems so you are prepared to answer any questions your mechanic may ask in diagnosing the problem. Taking your car in for transmission repair can be simple and affordable or time-consuming and expensive depending on how soon you take it in and what the underlying problem is.

AAMCO Colorado provides reliable transmission services through their knowledgeable and experienced team of transmission experts.

If you are in need of Colorado transmission repair services, they not only make it easy to schedule an appointment online but also may offer free towing, depending on your location. If you think your car is in need of transmission repair, AAMCO Colorado is just a phone call away.

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