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What Causes a Transmission to Slip?

There are some car problems that are virtually undetectable, and then there’s slipping transmissions. When a transmission slips, the car spontaneously pops out of gear, which prevents power from reaching the wheels. A slipping transmission is unnerving at best, and potentially life-threatening at works. After all, the last thing you want is to lose power to your wheels when driving. Here’s a look at some of the common culprits of a slipping transmission and what to do when you experience this common transmission problem.

Low Fluid Levels

The most common cause for slipping is low transmission fluid levels. Low fluid can also create other transmission problems, including overheating and not being able to engage gears. Pay attention to the condition of the oil when checking fluid levels, as dirty transmission fluid may also be to blame for slipping. If you have low fluid, your transmission repair shop should check for a leak.Worn Transmission Bands

Bands are what connect the gears in the automatic transmission together. Sometimes these bands can become worn or broken, which can cause transmission slippage. The good news is that your transmission repair technician can replace defective transmission bands in no time so you can get back on the road.

Clutch Problems

On manual transmissions, slippage problems are oftentimes attributed to problems with the clutch. Worn out clutches simply cannot keep the gear engaged, which causes the transmission to slip and pop back into neutral. Clutch replacement is one of the most common services performed by transmission repair professionals on manual vehicles.

Defective Torque Converter

Your transmission’s slippage could also be caused by a defective torque converter. The torque converter is what adapts the engine’s power into torque that the transmission uses to turn the drivetrain. Transmissions slippage is a common symptom of a defective torque converter, so visit Dr Nick’s Transmissions to have the torque converter examined by a professional.

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