Why transmission shifts hard

If you see the light flashing or on consistently on, take time to check your fluids. See a mechanic or get an OBD2 scanner to check what the check engine light means. Sometimes the car does seem to want to go into gear. You might try going into reverse or other gears, but the transmission doesn't seem to respond at all. There could be a number of reason for the car not going into gear. Here are some reasons:. Using a OBD2 scanner can be helpful in identifying the reason for the shifting problems.

It can help identify the root problem s. Most of the time our cars run smoothly without any jerking, shaking, or grinding noises. These issues may be due in part to a problems with the car's gears. If you have a manual transmission and you hear grinding noises as you shift, the gears could be damaged. Another reason for grinding could be the clutch is damaged and is having difficulty helping the car to shift into gear.

Heat can cause damage to the gear synchronizers, or they may have worn out due to age. An adjustment or replacement of the clutch might resolve this issue. An automatic transmission acts differently.

In this, it may not make a grinding noise, but it may take time to shift into gear when compared with normal operation. When the problem gets worse the transitions into the next gear becomes shaky and more jarring. Consult your mechanic to help with diagnosis if your unsure what is going on with your car. Worn gears or clutch might be the reason for the vibrations your feeling and noises your hearing.

Transmission shifts hard when hot, and the sound varies between different models. The sound that you hear may be a whining, humming or buzzing noise. How the transmission fluid acts under extreme heat is different than normal operating temperature.

Higher temperatures means higher pressure and although transmission fluid works well at high pressure, the heat may start to cause the fluid to burn if pressure and heat are not relieved. Under high pressure, shifting may be more difficult, so noises may occur. The sounds generated by a manual transmission may be more mechanical, abrupt and louder sounding. When you shift a gear, a clunking sound may occur.

The differential or constant velocity joints may also be the source of these sounds, if the clunking is coming from the underside of the car. Sometimes while driving a car, it does not go into gear right away. What should happen is the moment a car shifts from park into drive, it should go into the proper gear immediately.

For automatic transmission vehicles, a delay when the vehicle is shifting is usually a transmission-based concern. In a manual transmissions, there may be a similar response, but after shifting into gear, the engine RPMs will surge. The car remains still but the engine continues to rev. This means you may have a clogged valve body. The clutch may also not be engaging for some reason, possibly temperatures are too high. Low pressure could also result in delays when shifting.

Check your fluid levels and do a scan with your OBD2 scanner to see if there's anything showing up that's creating this issues. Conclusion: If you want to know about transmission maintenance see: this article.

Some of the Most Common Transmission Problems. Low or Leaking Fluid. The Slipping of Gears. Dragging Clutch. This also goes for using the wrong fluid for your transmission system. If the fluid is not right or is contaminated or changes the original color , you have to flush it out. With the advancement in technology, there is an increasing number of automatic vehicles available in the market.

These automatic vehicles are designed with in-built sensors for various functions. The automatic gear is constructed with many sensors that help in changing gears. These sensors operate via signal interaction. A damaged sensor will fail to send or receive signals, interrupting the transmission process.

This fault can cause your vehicle to hinder the smooth operation of your transmission system. The transmission vacuum moderator is a free pipe installed in your vehicle, and there are many of these vacuum hoses, which carry out different functions.

The pressure goes to the vacuum moderator and shifts your gear. The gears shift smoothly if you have the right pressure. If any of your vacuum hose is damaged, it exerts the wrong pressure on the modulator, and this can be why shifting from 1 st to 2 nd gear is rough. In most automatic vehicles, the manufacturers connect the shifter to the transmission by using a cable. They designed the cable to make the indicator needle well aligned with the desired gear.

When your transmission cable is faulty or completely damaged, the indicator needle will not align, and this will cause problematic gear transmission. If your vehicle is designed with an adaptive transmission system.

The system will shift your gears based on your manner of driving and the condition of the transmission fluid. The adaptive system will automatically change your gears if there is any abnormality in those conditions, making it challenging for you to shift gears. Sometimes you might get to experience transmission shifting hard from 1 st to 2 nd when cold weather surfaces. The fluid will thicken due to a low environmental temperature and will not be able to flow correctly. But getting a high-quality synthetic fluid can save you from this problem.

A slip in your manual transmission system will cause a high rpm or hesitation in acceleration. If this continues, it will eventually cause your transmission system to seize. A manual transmission gearbox can effectively function for up to six years.

If the gears are damaged or worn out, then your transmission system will have problems with shifting. The clutch functions by transmitting torque from your engine to the drivetrain. Gear oil helps to lubricate the gears in your vehicle, allowing its easy operation. If there is no oil or a low-level oil due to leakages or failure to change the oil , it will make manual transmission shifting hard from 1 st to 2 nd or 3 rd gear.

There are various teeth in your synchronizer ring that connects to the hub sleeve to engage the next gear. If there is any fault with your synchronizer ring, it will cause an uneven motion and lead to poor gear shifting.

The gear hub links the various gears, which shifts the gears to another. The sleeve ensures that the teeth of the gear hub move uniformly with your synchronizer. When you have a worn-out sleeve, it will generate issues when changing your gears.

A common cause of transmission shifting issues like when your car jerks when shifting from 1 st to 2 nd is when there is an issue with your transmission fluid. For instance, when you have a low fluid level due to leakages or untimely fluid change. In situations where your fluid is contaminated or there is a wrong fluid in the system, you will have to flush your system to get the system back on track. Get your car bonnet lifted and disconnect the negative terminal of your battery.

Slide under your vehicle to access your transmission fluid lines and take out the output line with the right screwdriver types. Transmission slipping can occur in one or several ways including:. A car that is experiencing rough shifting may have trouble accelerating, struggle to change gears, or lack a smooth transition. Rough shifting is often described as a clunk or a thud feeling when the vehicle shifts from one gear to the next.

Delayed engagement is defined as the pause or delay in response that it takes from shifting from Park into a moving gear such as Reverse or Drive. The duration of the delay can be as quick as a few seconds and up to one minute.

Delayed engagement should not be ignored and is a warning sign that your transmission needs attention sooner rather than later. Ignoring the light could result in costly repairs that could have otherwise been avoided. Enter your email address and we'll email you a digital version of this coupon that you can present on your mobile device at your Sun Devil Auto Shop.

Skip to content. Find a Location Locations. Make An Appointment Appointments. The most common symptoms of transmission problems include: 1. Slipping Transmission Slipping occurs when the transmission slips from one gear to the next, instead of gliding smoothly as it should.

Transmission slipping can occur in one or several ways including: Interruption in acceleration Delay or failure to go into reverse Extremely high RPMs Check engine light on Burnt smells Difficulty shifting gears Shifting accompanied by strange sounds Causes of transmission slips include: Low or Burnt Transmission Fluid — Low fluid can result in overheating and a deficiency in the creation of hydraulic pressure that is needed to engage gears.

Fluid levels should be checked often either by you or a technician. Because the transmission is a sealed system, fluid loss is usually related to a leak.

Burnt fluid can be compared to the smell of burnt toast and appears burnt as well.