Improving Your CarImproving Your Car


About Me

Improving Your Car

When my car died for the fifth time this year, I knew that I needed to do something to improve things. I decided to start looking around for little upgrades that I could do on my own, and I ended up completely replacing the oil and changing out the air filter. The difference was astounding. My car seemed to have more power, and so I decided to keep going with my little tune-ups. This blog is all about improving your car one thing at a time and knowing what to do if you encounter car problems when you are on the road.

Tags

Latest Posts

The Benefits of Renting a Car on Vacation: What to Expect
17 November 2023

Going on vacation is an exciting and exhilarating

10 Common Problems with Vehicle AC Systems and How to Fix Them
1 November 2023

When it comes to driving in the scorching heat of

Gear Up: Signs Your Home's Transmission Needs Repair
5 October 2023

As a car owner, you rely on your vehicle's transmi

Three Signs You Need A Driveshaft Repair
10 August 2023

Your vehicle's driveshaft plays a crucial role in

The Anatomy Of An Oil Change: Step By Step Guide
18 July 2023

Engine oil plays a critical role in a car's operat

3 Common Signs That Indicate You Need Transmission Repairs

A car's transmission system adjusts the gear ratios to allow the vehicle to slow down or speed up. 

But, due to the many moving parts of a transmission system, it is prone to wear and tear. Excessive wear and tear in a transmission system can lead to malfunctions that warrant transmission repairs. 

Delaying transmission repairs can lead to transmission failure. And if your transmission fails due to severe damage, you must replace it or have it rebuilt. Thus, you should know how to detect various transmission issues so that you can schedule prompt transmission repairs. 

Here are three common signs that tell you it's time to schedule transmission repairs. 

1. Hesitant or Slipping Gears

Excessive gear cog wear and tear leads to issues such as gear slippage and delayed gear engagement. 

Gear slippage is when a vehicle randomly changes gears or shifts back to neutral. Gear slippage indicates that your transmission system has worn out gear cogs. When the gear cogs wear out, the transmission system loses its ability to engage and hold gears. As a result, the gears either disengage, or your car changes gears randomly. 

Delayed gear engagement means that your transmission system takes longer to engage gears. Delayed engagement occurs because worn-out gear cogs can't engage gears effectively. 

Thus, if your transmission system starts slipping or hesitating, have a transmission repair technician check it out before it fails. 

2. Jammed Clutch

A jammed clutch refers to a stuck clutch pedal. A jammed clutch usually occurs when a manual transmission system sits idle for a long time, forcing the clutch disc to stick to the flywheel. Other reasons why your clutch might jam include: 

  • The bearing has detached from the fork or bearing cage
  • A broken clutch cable
  • Low fluid levels in the master cylinder
  • Presence of air in the transmission fluid 

Determining the exact cause of a jammed clutch can be challenging unless you are a transmission repair technician. Thus, if you encounter a jammed clutch, have a transmission repair technician assess your transmission system. 

3. Grinding Noises When Shifting Gears

A grinding noise when shifting gears indicates poor lubrication of the gear cogs. Insufficient lubrication causes the metal cogs to rub against each other, producing a grinding sound or vibrations. In most cases, the situation occurs due to low transmission fluid. 

However, if your transmission fluid levels are okay, the next possible culprit is a leak. If your transmission fluid leaks, the gear cogs may not receive enough fluid for lubrication. Hence, the cogs grind against each other, causing vibrations or grinding sounds.

Neglecting the above issue could severely damage your planetary gear set. Thus, you should schedule transmission repairs as soon as you encounter grinding sounds when shifting gears.