As one of the most important components of your car, the transmission needs to be kept in good condition. Along with regular transmission servicing at your local Nissan dealership, drivers should also keep an eye out for symptoms of gearbox trouble. Here are a few clear warning signs that your car might be in need of transmission repair.
Does Your Nissan Need a Transmission Repair?
Hesitant Gear Shifting
With a fully functioning transmission, gear shifts should be smooth and immediate. If you notice a strange hesitancy or delay when you shift, as if the gears are struggling to engage, then your gearbox may have low fluid or a clogged filter.
You may also have a malfunctioning solenoid, or a fault with one of the seals or bands, or a problem inside the planetary gear system. A technician will need to diagnose and repair the problem.
Rough Gear Shifting
If shifting becomes rough and more difficult than usual, the fluid might have begun to degrade and fill up with sludge. Alternatively, bearings may be malfunctioning or the gearbox might be overheating.
Grinding Sounds
Any problems with the gear sets inside the gearbox could lead to loud grinding sounds. This might also result from low or degrading transmission fluid, which should be immediately topped up or refreshed.
Leaking Transmission Fluid
If the transmission fluid leaks from the pan, pumps, seals, or lines, then your gears might run into serious problems. Fortunately, transmission fluid is quite noticeable, as it’s a dark red liquid. If you see a reddish fluid like this puddling under your car, try to have the leak fixed before you start driving again.
Slipping Gears
When gears slip, it can be a rather scary sensation. While slipping, your gears might change or pop into neutral all on their own. Your engine may start revving at the same time as it struggles to maintain a connection with the wheels. Slipping gears indicates a serious transmission problem that should be fixed at once.
Dragging Clutch
When you press the clutch pedal, the clutch disk should disengage smoothly from the flywheel, allowing you to easily change gears. If the clutch fails to disengage, your gears will clash and your car might jolt forward as you shift. This hazardous problem is called a dragging clutch.
Have Transmission Fluid Regularly Refreshed at Your Nissan Dealer
Many transmission problems can be avoided by keeping the transmission fluid topped up and fresh at all times. For automatic transmissions, the fluid should be flushed every 60,000 to 100,000 miles. For manual vehicles, once every 30,000 to 60,000 miles is the generally recommended interval.
Have your transmission examined and repaired today at Gates Nissan. Since 1915, we’ve been helping out the drivers of the local region with top-notch cars, financing, and customer service.
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