When you should have your truck’s transmission maintained varies, which is why some drivers fail to have the service done. Some truck manufacturers recommend transmission service every 30,000 miles; others recommend every 60,000 miles. It depends on the year, make, and model of your vehicle as well as its transmission type. You can tell if your transmission is going bad, however. There is definitely something wrong if you notice any of the signs listed below.
Your Gears Keep Slipping
Slipping gears can be one of two things. Your transmission might slip out of gear once it’s in gear and rev in neutral, or it might try to change gears when it shouldn’t. Either way, there is something wrong with your truck’s transmission if the gears are slipping. It should go into drive and stay in drive until you change that. It should also stay in each gear until the next shift.
It Shifts Gears But the Gear Shifts Are Rough
Gear shifts should be smooth in an automatic transmission. You might feel a tiny lurch but generally, you shouldn’t feel anything at all. If your transmission is shifting and staying in gear but the gear shifts shake the vehicle, you should have the transmission inspected as soon as possible. Rough gear shifts could also be the transmission trying to shift into the next gear but it can’t or refuses to do so when you shift it.
It Takes Forever to Shift
When you first start your vehicle and shift from park to reverse or drive, you shouldn’t experience a delay. The automobile should go right into the designated gear. A delay suggests problems with the transmission that could be more than just low or dirty transmission oil. Your truck’s transmission should not be sluggish in its response to your gear shifts, whether automatic or manual.
It’s Leaking Fluid
Finally, leaking transmission fluid means you’ve got a problem with the pan gasket, the seals, or perhaps even the transmission pan. Don’t take chances and ignore the red fluid on your garage floor. Have a professional find the source of the leak and get it fixed. Transmission fluid or oil prevents your transmission parts from overheating and helps your truck shift gears.
Midlane Truck & Equipment Repair can inspect your truck’s transmission and find out why it’s doing any or all of the above. Set up an appointment with us and we’ll get you in and out of our shop as quickly as possible. Call us today.
