Can You Still Drive with a Transmission Fault?
4 Answers
When the transmission fault light comes on, it is not recommended to continue driving. However, in practice, whether you can continue driving when the transmission fault light is on depends on the specific situation and requires differentiated analysis. Depending on the severity of the fault, the warning light may display different colors. Here is some additional information: 1. Yellow Light: If the light is yellow, you can continue driving for a short period. However, you should maintain a low speed and visit a 4S shop or a professional auto repair shop as soon as possible for repairs. 2. Red Light: If the light is red, it is advisable to stop immediately, call for roadside assistance, and have the vehicle towed. Continuing to drive in this condition can easily damage the transmission, and in severe cases, a complete replacement may be required.
This needs to be considered from a safety perspective—under no circumstances should you risk continuing to drive. When a car's transmission fails, the mildest symptom is rough gear shifting, while the worst-case scenario is a complete loss of power while driving. I once saw a car suddenly stall and stop in the fast lane on the highway, nearly causing a rear-end collision—it was terrifying. Even if you manage to keep driving, erratic gear shifts could lead to tire slippage and loss of control, especially in rain or snow. If the malfunction indicator light comes on, you must immediately pull over and turn off the engine. Contacting a 4S dealership or professional repair towing service is the safest approach—safety should always come first, so don’t cut corners or gamble. After stopping, turn on your hazard lights and place a warning triangle to protect yourself and alert others.
With over a decade of experience in auto repair, whether a transmission can still be driven depends on the specific fault type. If there's noticeable jerking during gear shifts but the car can still move, you may drive at low speed (under 60 km/h) to the nearest repair shop—avoid hard acceleration. However, if you smell burning or hear metal grinding sounds, absolutely do not drive; these are signs of imminent mechanical seizure that could destroy gears. For electronic shifting faults, try restarting the engine which may temporarily restore function. From handling numerous cases, I've observed that owners who stop early save significantly on repairs. Regardless of the issue, prompt professional diagnosis is crucial—delaying only worsens the damage.
Last month, I also encountered a transmission failure. Suddenly lost power while accelerating on the elevated road. Tried downshifting but the car shook violently like riding a horse. Managed to limp down the off-ramp before it completely died - inspection revealed clogged oil passages costing over 3,000 yuan. Had I stopped immediately and called a tow truck, just an oil change might have fixed it. Learned my lesson - now whenever I feel gearshift hesitation, I immediately turn on hazard lights and pull over. Regular drivers shouldn't take risks, as mechanical failures are hard for laypeople to diagnose. If the car shakes severely or the gear lever locks up, stopping in a safe spot and waiting for assistance is the most practical approach.
