Can You Still Drive with Transmission Slippage?
2 Answers
Transmission slippage means you should not continue driving. Below are the specific reasons for transmission slippage: 1. Check the quality of the hydraulic fluid. If the hydraulic fluid appears brownish-black or has a burnt smell, it indicates that the friction plates of the clutch or brake bands are burnt out, and the automatic transmission should be disassembled for repair. 2. Conduct a road test. A road test can determine whether the automatic transmission is slipping and identify the affected gear and the severity of the slippage. Place the gear selector in different positions and drive the car. If the engine speed suddenly increases when the automatic transmission shifts to a certain gear, but the vehicle speed does not increase accordingly, it indicates slippage in that gear. The easier it is for the engine speed to rise during slippage, the more severe the slippage is. 3. Check the fluid level of the automatic transmission. For an automatic transmission exhibiting slippage, first check the hydraulic fluid level. If the fluid level is too low or too high, adjust it to the normal level before further inspection. If the transmission stops slipping after adjusting the fluid level, disassembling the transmission may not be necessary.
If the transmission slips while driving, don't stubbornly keep going. I learned this the hard way—once on a suburban road, my car's speed couldn't match the RPM during gear shifts. I thought it was minor, but it worsened until the car stalled on a slope. Transmission slippage usually stems from internal wear or low fluid pressure, like damaged clutch plates or degraded transmission fluid. Continuing to drive only accelerates part wear, risking total drivetrain failure or even accidents, especially on hills or busy roads. For safety, at the first sign of slippage, slow down, pull over, shut off the engine, and wait for a tow to a professional shop. Regular transmission maintenance, like checking fluid levels, can prevent such issues. Bottom line: don't gamble with safety—stopping is the smarter move.