Clunking, humming or whining sounds are signs of automatic transmission problems. Faulty manual transmissions will also give off loud machinelike sounds that seem to come out of nowhere. A clunking noise when you shift gears is a telltale transmission situation. Have a mechanic look it over.
Typically, when your transmission begins to fail you may start to notice some form of difficulty when changing gears. Occasionally you may hear or feel a clunk noise when you shift gear. Another sign of a rough shifting is difficulty in accelerating to the speed for the gear that it is in.
Grinding, Jerking, or Shaking
Shaking and jerking are good indicators of transmission trouble. Gear grinding is a common symptom in manual transmission vehicles. Automatic transmission failure often begins with some hesitation during gears shifting. Some might describe this a “slipping,” as well.
The short answer to this question is no, you should not drive with a bad transmission. Sometimes, life happens, and you have to keep driving your vehicle even though you know that it needs to be serviced.
Park the vehicle, set the parking brake, then step on the clutch pedal, and put the transmission into first gear. Listen and feel for any grinding, or other noises when putting the shifter into gear, as that could indicate a potential problem with that particular gears' synchronizer.
With proper maintenance, transmissions can last up to 300,000 miles or more. This includes changing the fluid in your transmission system and regular checkups. However, when you don't keep up with routine maintenance, your transmission might have problems at the 100,000-mile mark or even sooner.
Time and mileage vary between car drivers and how they use or abuse their transmissions. Still, typical automatic transmissions last around 150,00 to 200,000 miles or approximately 7 years.
It's labor intensive and cost prohibitive. Luckily, transmission failure doesn't usually happen without warning. There are several warning signs that your transmission's going out.
Replacements can range from $1,800 to $3,400. Depending on the repair shop and technicians, labor charges can range from $500 to $1,200. Here's a quick overview of the average transmission replacement cost: Remanufactured transmission – $1,300 to $3,400.
Transmission Repairs
Often with a transmission repair, you are only fixing one specific part of the transmission. This repair can take place without having to rebuild the entire transmission. This option typically costs less than a rebuild or a replacement.
Some transmissions can last just over 10,000 miles, while others will last over 200,000 miles. Generally though, regular vehicle maintenance is the number one factor effecting a transmission's lifespan, and good upkeep can help it last even longer.
Rebuilding a transmission can save you a lot of money over the short-term, while keeping car payments out of your monthly budget. For many, rebuilding their transmission is worth the initial cost. Rebuilding a transmission may cost you twenty-five hundred dollars or more, which is a significant chunk of change.
The transmission of a modern vehicle is not one solid piece but a jumble of several moving parts. This is the primary reason fixing a vehicle's transmission is more expensive. Other factors that influence the overall costs of replacing a transmission include: The age of the vehicle.
A rebuilt transmission will extend the life of your vehicle, because when the worn parts are replaced, the transmission becomes “good as new”. Another benefit is that when it comes time to trade in your car, you'll get a higher price for it if the transmission is still in good shape.
Standard transmissions usually don't need to be replaced during their entire lifetime, whereas some automatic transmissions need replacing around the 200-250,000 km mark. Overall, it is important to maintain regular servicing and maintenance for your transmission.
Transmission Mileage
Automatic transmissions often fail between 80,000 and 150,000 miles. Manual transmissions can fail even sooner than that, especially when routine maintenance is neglected.
Computer and Internal Diagnostics
The AAMCO Computer Diagnostic Service is performed to determine if an electronic component is affecting your transmission's shifting or overall performance and includes: Using a computer system scanner to retrieve any trouble codes and to determine the probable cause.
Insert long funnel into automatic transmission fluid dipstick hole. Carefully add automatic transmission fluid in small increments and recheck level each time until fluid level reaches "warm" line. CAUTION: DO NOT OVERFILL OR SPILL AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FLUID ON HOT ENGINE PARTS!
If your vehicle refuses to switch from park to drive, then you most likely have a problem with your transmission. You might also have a problem changing between other gears, but the issue with switching from park to drive is the most common. Ensure you get your transmission fixed as soon as you can.
Short answer: no! The only thing you should do if you think you have a faulty transmission is go for a quick jaunt to your local mechanic. If you have a bad transmission it's only a matter of time before your vehicle literally won't be able to drive anywhere.