What are the symptoms of a broken transmission?
4 Answers
Transmission failure symptoms: 1. Engine stalls when shifting into gear or experiences jerking during gear shifts and driving; 2. Unusual noises while driving: internal grinding or rattling sounds; 3. Vehicle slips, lacks power when starting, or struggles to move. Proper transmission usage methods: 1. Avoid coasting in N gear: coasting in neutral (N) can easily damage the transmission; 2. Do not shift into P gear at traffic lights; 3. Avoid rapid gear shifting; 4. Do not accelerate immediately after a cold start; 5. Shift to N gear during prolonged traffic light stops: When waiting at traffic lights for extended periods, shift from D gear to N gear to reduce strain on the automatic transmission and prolong its lifespan.
A few days ago, while I was driving, my car's transmission suddenly developed a noticeable issue. At first, there was obvious hesitation and roughness during gear shifts, and acceleration from low speeds was painfully slow, as if climbing a hill. At high speeds, there was also slipping—the RPM would spike but the car wouldn’t accelerate, accompanied by a loud engine whine and intense vibrations inside the cabin, making it feel like sitting on a massage chair. Then, a burning smell emerged, and upon inspection, I found a puddle of oil on the ground—the transmission fluid had turned black and sticky. If left unaddressed, the warning light would come on, and the car would frequently stall in traffic, nearly causing a rear-end collision. This condition is likely due to clutch wear or gear damage. Ignoring it long-term could fry the entire system. My advice: pull over immediately if this happens, call a tow truck, and get a full inspection at a shop. Don’t try to save a few bucks—it’s not worth the risk.
I drive to and from work, and I can immediately feel when the transmission fails. For automatic transmissions, the gear shifting becomes ridiculously delayed. When I step on the gas, the car seems to be contemplating life, taking two or three seconds before slowly moving forward—it's downright frustrating at city traffic lights. Sometimes, it's accompanied by weird 'clunking' noises, especially when reversing or accelerating, sounding like an old, rusty machine. The temperature also rises abnormally, with the dashboard showing an overheated transmission, making the car feel hot inside. In severe cases, it can even lose power, suddenly slowing down on the highway, which is absolutely terrifying. This is usually caused by insufficient fluid or a blocked valve body. If this happens, gently brake and pull over immediately—don’t push it. Head to the dealership for an oil change and repairs.
The symptoms of transmission failure are straightforward and obvious. When starting, the car shudders like it's dancing, acceleration feels weak as if coasting downhill, and even climbing a small slope becomes a struggle. Opening the hood reveals a burnt smell, with oily fluid leaks staining the ground. In severe cases, gears become unresponsive—manual shifting fails, automatic transmissions jump erratically between gears, or the vehicle may completely refuse to move. These issues commonly stem from wear and tear, aging, or water damage and corrosion. It's crucial to stop driving immediately to prevent further damage.
