What Causes Gear Shifting Jerk in Automatic Transmissions?
2 Answers
Automatic transmission cars may experience jerky gear shifts due to obstructed transmission oil passages, insufficient or excessive transmission fluid levels, or damaged solenoid valves. Obstructed transmission oil passages: Wear in the valve body, prolonged use of deteriorated transmission fluid reducing lubrication effectiveness, or clogged transmission filters allowing abrasive particles into the valve body. Regular transmission fluid changes are essential. Both manual and automatic transmissions require fluid replacement every two years or 60,000 kilometers, with automatic transmissions particularly needing this maintenance every 60,000 km. Incorrect transmission fluid levels: Verify whether the transmission fluid is at the standard level. Both insufficient and excessive fluid can cause this issue. Vehicles with transmission dipsticks should check the fluid level against standard markings when the engine is running. Damaged solenoid valves: Sludge buildup in the transmission fluid circulating through and blocking valve body passages can cause jerking. Over time, this leads to transmission overheating, harsh shifting, slippage, and other transmission problems. Solenoid valve replacement is necessary.
I was really annoyed when I first encountered this issue. It felt like the car was being jerked every time I shifted gears. Later, after an inspection, I found out that the main problem was my car's transmission fluid needed changing—it had turned black and was sticky like paste, no wonder the gear shifts weren't smooth. Older cars do tend to have dirty fluids. Another easily overlooked issue was the worn-out engine mounts. The engine was shaking badly, which also made the transmission feel jerky. Usually, driving gently without sudden acceleration or hard braking is better for the transmission. If the problem improves after changing the fluid, then it's fine. But if the jerking persists, you might need to check if there's an issue with small components like the transmission's solenoid valves.
