• Transmission
• Automatic
• Manual
• Shift
• Gears
• Hard shift
• Bad transmission
• How to check
• What to do
• Mechan

We all expect driving an automatic vehicle seamlessly as compared to a manual transmission car. Shifting gears should be smooth and unnoticeable, especially if the transmission is a CVT (Continuously Variable Transmission). 

Automatic transmissions are set up to make driving a lot easier and smoother; but just like any other things, it’s not designed to last forever. It may get to a point when you’ll eventually experience issues with your automatic transmission.  

When it is already hard to shift gears, and you feel slips or jerks between shifts, then it may be time to have your transmission inspected. Hard shifting makes driving annoying and uncomfortable. Not only that, it may also cause road accidents and can lead to bigger issues or damage to your car.  

It can be a bit challenging to determine or diagnose the issue of your automatic transmission since it has many components. 

In this blog, we will try to explain the causes of hard shifting. We will also show you a few ways to resolve the issues, or if it is time to get a mechanic.

What Is Transmission?

Before we get to the reasons why it’s hard to shift an automatic transmission, it’s best that we get a better understanding of the transmission and its purpose. 

A car’s transmission is as important as the car’s engine. It communicates between the engine and the wheels. The car’s engine creates the inertia to move forward, while the transmission adjusts the speed based on the driver’s desire, and sends the power to the wheels to  increase or maintain the speed. 

Many gears are within the transmission. They’re responsible for adjusting the ratio between the drive wheel and your engine. This prevents overstretching the engine when not needed and maintains the engine's efficiency. 

What Is Automatic Transmission

The automatic transmission is a more modern type of transmission.  It relies on the vehicle's computer to automatically adjust the gears depending on what's needed. You wouldn’t have to think about which gear to switch to at which speed. 

If you are a beginner and don't have years of experience in driving, then this is definitely recommended.  It's also a great choice for experienced drivers since it doesn't require a lot of stress. You don’t need to focus too much on when to switch the gears and allows you to focus more on the road. 

Causes And How To Fix It

There are different signs that indicate the transmission is not working well. The most common symptoms of transmission problems include:

Transmission Fluid 

The fluid is vital to the health of the transmission. The most common reason for your transmission shifting hard is due to low level or dirty fluid.  

The clutch and gears will grind if the transmission fluid becomes too low. Check regularly if the liquid is enough and at the correct level. Also,  lubricate all transmission parts.

Clean transmission fluid is mostly translucent and reddish in color. If the fluid is dirty or contaminated, contaminants infiltrate the system and it decreases lubrication. It needs to be replaced and the safety measure is to flush and replace it every 100,000 miles, if possible. 

Fluid Leakage

The transmission is a sealed system so it needs to keep and maintain its fluid inside to keep running. A leak will lead to a low level of fluid that causes extreme friction between transmission parts. Which could cause hard shifting. 

A fluid leakage can cause serious damage so check the pan gasket and other areas to find out the possible hole or crack. Examine the gearbox for any leak immediately.

You need to have it checked by a mechanic right away if there are leaks especially if you see a puddle under the car. Taking these signs for granted can lead to costly repair work.   

Issues With Sensors

An automatic transmission has several sensors that control how and when the transmission changes gears.  When the sensors fail to receive and send correct signals and readings and from and to other parts it may cause shifting problems. 

Worn out, an electrical short, or excessive temperatures can be a few reasons why the sensors are damaged. 

You can check the codes with a code scanner compatible with your ECM (engine control module)  and TCM (transmission control module). Also, check for any significant trouble codes on shift solenoids or other sensors and solenoids. 

Cold Weather

As the temperatures drop, the transmission fluid becomes thicker which then leads to less lubrication. Moreover, the parts inside have to work harder to pump the fluid around. 

You might lessen issues with the temperature by adding a reliable synthetic fluid to the transmission. 

Adaptive Transmission

If the transmission is constantly learning and adjusting to your driving patterns, it is considered adaptive. The engine’s RPMs (revolutions per minute) is regulated by an internal computer to ensure the transmission runs as it should. 

The adaptive transmission could fail to use its memory settings if you disconnect the battery or there’s another type of fault. You could experience rough shifting while the transmission relearns or reprogram the proper operation.  

Bad Transmission Vacuum Modulator

The transmission vacuum modulator valve’s main purpose is to gauge the load from the engine to provide ideal shifting operations. You might experience your transmission shifting hard if this modulator is not functioning well. 

Trouble With The Vacuum Lines

The car vacuum line can become twisted, pinched, disconnected or clogged which can cause extra pressure on the transmission. This will then make it hard for the gear to shift. 

Bad Shifter Cable

Automatic cars don’t always have the same mechanism and design. Automatic vehicles often have a cable  that connects the shifter handle to the transmission. It can break or stretch over time, making the vehicle respond slowly to the gear shifting.  

You will be able to adjust the shifter cable in some cases. If not, then it’s time for a replacement. 

Torque Converter

The torque converter’s purpose is to transfer the power from the engine to the wheels. It is located between the transmission and the engine. It is filled with transmission fluid that’s why poor transmission fluid can make the converter behave unnaturally. 

It could be a sign of a bad torque converter if your transmission slips. If the torque converter is faulty, you have to replace it.

Worn Out Clutch

The clutch of a vehicle can also wear out over time. If you are used to rough driving then it can deteriorate faster than usual. Hard shifting, a soft-feeling clutch, and a burning odor are signs of a failing clutch. 

Error Codes

All automatic cars have a digital transmission control module which stores all sorts of transmission error codes. If you tried everything already and still can’t determine the exact cause of hard shifting, you may want to take the vehicle to a mechanic to check the error codes. 

It may help figure out the cause of hard shifting and the repair process by decoding them. 

Reminder

It’s still recommended to contact an experienced mechanic when hard shifting happens. Finding the root of this issue often requires a lot of time and thorough inspection. Only a professional can do a proper diagnosis and a detailed report of repair scope along with the cost estimation.