Can You Drive When the Car Transmission Failure Light Comes On?
2 Answers
Whether you can drive when the car transmission failure light comes on depends on the situation: If it's a yellow light, you can continue driving for a short period, but you should maintain low-speed driving and go to a 4S shop or a professional auto repair shop for repairs as soon as possible; If it's a red light, it is recommended to stop immediately, call for assistance, and have the car towed away. Continuing to drive can easily damage the transmission, and in severe cases, it may need to be replaced directly. There are many reasons for car transmission failure, such as the transmission temperature being too high, transmission oil leakage, problems with the transmission control unit, etc. If you frequently shift gears while driving at high speed for a long time, it is also very likely to trigger the failure light alarm. There is also a possibility of an occasional fault code, in which case the car is basically fine.
If the dashboard shows a transmission failure warning, my experience tells you to stop immediately—never keep driving! Transmission failure could indicate internal overheating, low oil pressure, or sensor damage. Forcing the vehicle to run may cause rapid wear or even burnout of gears, clutches, and other components, potentially leading to sudden loss of power, which poses an extremely high risk on highways. I’ve personally witnessed a friend’s case—he assumed it was a minor issue and drove dozens of kilometers, only for the transmission to completely fail, costing over 20,000 yuan for a full replacement. Safety always comes first. Pull over right away, turn off the engine, and check the transmission fluid level and color. If anything seems abnormal, call a tow truck for repairs immediately—don’t risk safety hazards to save a bit on travel expenses.
