Mar 4, 2022

Honda cars are remarkably durable. But over time, even a Honda’s transmission can run into trouble, especially if it isn’t well-maintained. As your transmission is vital to running your car, any problems should be handled quickly at your local Honda dealer or by any trusted technician. Have you noticed the following four signs that your vehicle might require transmission repair?

 

 

1.    Slipping Clutch Man looking under Car hood |  Bowie, MD

Both manual and automatic gearboxes use a clutch, which naturally begins to wear down over time. When a clutch starts to fail, you’ll notice slight problems in moments when your engine comes under more pressure, such as on steep inclines or while passing other vehicles.

 

A slipping clutch has lost some of its gripping power, causing it to struggle to engage or disengage fully. This makes it challenging to stay in gear, so you might find that your car suddenly slips into another gear. It can also become difficult to change gears smoothly. A slipping clutch will only get worse unless it’s sorted out promptly.

 

 

2.    Slipping Gears

Here’s another minor annoyance that can become a significant problem if not attended to quickly. Slipping gears, or transmission slipping, occurs when gears wear down or round out from years of use. You might experience this problem in many ways.

 

Your vehicle might become slow to respond or even completely unresponsive when you hit the gas. You might also notice strange noises or changes in pitch when you change gears. None of these signs should be ignored.

 

 

3.    Low Fluid

The majority of transmission problems are fluid problems. Transmission fluid tends to break down over time due to friction and heat. When it gets too low, old, or dirty, it will no longer disperse heat or lubricate the parts correctly. Over time this can lead to costly transmission problems as the mechanical parts start to overheat and break down. You can avoid this by changing your fluid at your local Honda dealer.

 

If your fluid’s running low, you’ll notice strange grinding sounds, jumping RPMs when trying to shift gears, and even sudden inexplicable gear shifts. The solution is simple: get your fluid changed. For manual gearboxes, it’s generally recommended to change your fluid every 30,000 to 60,000 miles. For automatic transmissions, you should replace them every 60,000 to 100,000 miles.

 

 

4.    Leaking Fluid

A somewhat more immediate problem is if your fluid is leaking. Heat and debris from the road can sometimes cause cracks in fluid lines, torque pumps, or axle seals, which will create a leak. If you leak, you’ll notice small pools of sweet-smelling, red liquid under your car when you stop. Fortunately, transmission fluid leaks are relatively inexpensive to fix.

 

All of the above problems can be kept minor with early diagnosis and repair. For your peace of mind, head down to DARCARS Honda to have your transmission checked today by certified professionals.