Does an AT Transmission Slip Require a Major Overhaul?
2 Answers
Transmission slipping must be repaired, and you should not continue driving. Here are the specific details: Causes of slipping: Severe wear of the clutch, brake, or one-way clutch, excessive clearance of the clutch plates leading to slipping. Adding too much transmission fluid, which generates a large amount of foam when vigorously stirred by the planetary gears, causing slipping. Using non-specified transmission fluid, as some inferior fluids can accelerate the aging, swelling, or failure of internal transmission seals, resulting in slipping. Symptoms of transmission slipping: When starting, pressing the accelerator pedal results in high engine RPM but slow vehicle acceleration. During driving, pressing the accelerator deeply leads to slow speed increase. When climbing a slope, the engine RPM is high, but the vehicle moves slowly.
When an AT transmission slips, does it need an immediate overhaul? Well, I'd say it depends. Slipping might just be a minor issue, like low or leaking fluid—just a fluid change or top-up could fix it. But if it's serious, like worn clutch plates or clogged hydraulic valves, then an overhaul is unavoidable. An overhaul means disassembling the transmission and replacing parts, which could cost a few thousand bucks. I recommend getting a diagnosis from a reliable shop as soon as you notice anything off while driving. Also, remember to service it every 30,000 to 40,000 kilometers to prevent fluid degradation and buildup—it saves a lot of trouble. Safety first, though—slipping can cause sudden loss of power, especially on highways, which is super dangerous, so don't delay repairs.
