It is expensive to change the transmission in your car, therefore it is best to do routine maintenance. A gear slippage into or out of the reverse position can damage the transmission, and even endanger those around you. Know the warning signs of something amiss with your transmission. The signs could range from slowed or delayed shifting from one gear to the next, to a jolting or shuddering between shifting gears.
When shifting to Reverse from the Park or Neutral position, if the gear does not immediately catch, there is probably a slippage problem with the transmission. The gears should catch immediately. Shift from Neutral to Reverse and from Park to Reverse several times and take note of any delay. If the delay of more than a second, that usually indicates slippage with the transmission.
From the Reverse or Neutral position, shift the car into Park and observe the RPM indicator on the dashboard. Once the RPMs go back to normal (650-850 rpm) put the car into Reverse. This should be a smooth transition. If you feel a jolt or jerk, that is a sign of your transmission slipping.
If the engine races while shifting the vehicle into Reverse, or the vehicle moves slowly or won't accelerate normally, you likely have slippage in the transmission.
