When your vehicle's transmission is acting up, you don't want to put off repairs for too long; it's unlikely that the problem will correct itself, and ignoring a needed repair can mean causing the transmission to shut down completely. This can also be a danger when you're on the road, as the transmission might seize up or allow your car to slip into neutral. In some cases, a serious problem can mean you need urgent transmission services, but note a few other common problems so you know what to expect by way of repairs.
Car seems to get stuck in third gear
If your car will accelerate fine until you feel you're in third gear, and then the engine races and the car won't shift to a higher gear, you may need to have the computer of the car checked. There are safety codes read by the computer, and that will have the car stay in third if those codes signal a problem with the chains and gears of the transmission. This is in order to avoid the added wear of driving at higher speeds. The computer may need to be reset if it's faulty, or it can tell you exactly why it won't allow the car to shift out of third gear.
Car seems stuck in first gear
If the car won't shift to any higher gears and you can't drive faster than a few miles or kilometres per hour, this often signals a very low level of fluid or thick and burnt fluid that needs changing. As this fluid tries to circulate, the chains and gears cannot move in the transmission; your car can be shifted into drive but won't shift out of that first gear. You may need a full transmission flush to remove all that old fluid and then have it replaced.
Car seems stuck in neutral
If you can move your car's shifter, but it won't switch into any gears, have a friend help you check the shift linkage. This is a long piece that is usually under the engine and which is connected to the shifter in the car; check your owner's manual to find the one in your car. Your friend can shift the car into gear while you note if the linkage moves. If not, you need to have this piece replaced. The connectors and bolts may have become rusted or the linkage itself may be broken. If the linkage moves, but the car doesn't go into gear, you may need a new transmission altogether.
Share7 March 2017
I rely a lot of my car as I am a paraplegic. I can only drive a car that has specially modified with wheel controls, so it's very important that I get my car serviced by a company that knows what it is doing. I also need my car to be serviced quickly as I am very limited in how much I can get around without it. This blog has some tips on how to find a car servicing company that will suit you if driving a disability-modified car. I hope it will be useful to other people with disabilities who rely on their cars as much as me.
