Is Your Transmission Making You Wait? Here’s Why Your Car Hesitates When Shifting
Nothing is more frustrating than pressing the gas pedal and waiting for your car to respond. When your transmission hesitates during shifting, it’s not just an annoyance—it’s a warning sign that shouldn’t be ignored. Understanding the common causes behind transmission hesitation can help you address the issue before it becomes a costly repair nightmare.
What Is Transmission Hesitation?
Delayed shifting, also called late engagement, is one of the most common signs that your transmission isn’t functioning the way it should. You might shift into drive or reverse and wait a few seconds before the car actually responds. The delay can last as fast as a few seconds and up to one minute. Delayed engagement is a sign of minor trouble and if not attended to, could lead to major problems.
Primary Causes of Transmission Hesitation
Low or Contaminated Transmission Fluid
Low fluid can lead to a transmission that shifts hard. Your transmission relies on fluid for hydraulic pressure, lubrication, and cooling. If the fluid is low, old, or contaminated, it can’t do its job. This reduces pressure and causes the system to hesitate when engaging gears.
The fluid will tell you what kind of condition your transmission is in based on level, color, and smell. If the fluid is low, dark in color, or has a rancid smell, the vehicle should be taken to a service shop immediately.
Faulty Transmission Components
Several internal components can cause hesitation when they begin to fail:
- Failed Solenoids: Valves used to control fluid flow through the transmission are known as shift solenoids. After a period of time, the small plungers or the electromagnetic coils on the solenoid fail from constant vibrations and exposure to heat, resulting in shift delays.
- Worn Clutches: Clutches in the transmission help change gears. In automatic transmissions, the clutches are supposed to lock up at high speeds to prevent slipping. A lack of transmission fluid can cause the clutches to malfunction.
- Clogged Filter: An obstructed transmission filter full of debris can reduce the transmission’s hydraulic pressure, leading to a delay of gear engagement. A technician will need to remove the transmission pan to access and replace the transmission filter.
Sensor Problems
Many vehicles today are equipped with loads of sensors that communicate to their internal computers, including some that influence the transmission to shift. If the sensors are not functioning properly or receiving the incorrect data, it can cause rough shifting.
Temperature-Related Issues
Temperatures can affect shifting. Shifting delays are normal in extreme temperature changes, especially bitter cold temperatures. If you notice the delay is absent in warmer temperatures, there’s no need to worry. When the temperature drops, transmission fluids with poor cold-flow properties can thicken and cause elongated and hard shifts until the fluid has warmed up enough to flow properly. Switching to a high-quality synthetic transmission fluid will help. Synthetics don’t contain waxes, as conventional fluids do, meaning they remain fluid at lower temperatures for improved shifts during cold weather.
Solutions and Prevention
Regular Maintenance
To prevent possible delays when shifting, check transmission fluids often. Lack of fluid and poor fluid quality can do more than cause internal seals to fail, it can result in a multitude of unwanted transmission troubles.
Professional Diagnosis
When experiencing transmission hesitation, it’s crucial to have a professional inspection. When a transmission is shifting hard or slipping it’s time for an inspection. An inspection by an expert will tell you whether a simple fix can address the issue or major repairs are due.
Quality Fluid Changes
It’s best practice to change the fluid before the frictional properties are depleted and you experience poor shifting. Those poor shifts can cause the clutches to wear more rapidly and lead to bigger issues that need mechanical repairs.
When to Seek Professional Help
If you’re experiencing transmission hesitation, don’t delay seeking professional assistance. When searching for a reliable transmission shop near me, it’s important to choose experts who understand the complexity of modern transmission systems.
Pro Transmissions in Athens, Georgia, has built a reputation as a trusted partner for drivers throughout Clarke County and beyond. We are your neighbors, committed to keeping Clarke County moving. Our team values honesty, integrity, and exceptional service. We understand that car troubles can be stressful, which is why we strive to make your experience as smooth as possible.
With a team of seven skilled technicians, including two Master Certified Technicians, we bring decades of combined experience to every job. Our commitment to quality is backed by industry-leading warranties on all our transmission rebuilds and general repairs.
The Cost of Waiting
Even if the problem is more serious, catching it early can keep costs much lower than if you wait until the transmission fails completely. What might start as a simple fluid change or sensor replacement can quickly escalate into a complete transmission rebuild if left unaddressed.
Conclusion
Transmission hesitation is your vehicle’s way of telling you something needs attention. Whether it’s low fluid, worn components, or sensor issues, addressing these problems early can save you significant time and money. We pride ourselves on being an auto repair shop that values integrity, quality, and customer satisfaction. Our goal is to provide reliable automotive repair services that you can depend on, mile after mile.
Don’t let transmission hesitation leave you stranded. Schedule a diagnostic appointment with qualified professionals who can identify the root cause and provide effective solutions to get you back on the road with confidence.