"Slip slidin' away...You know the nearer your destination, the more you're slip slidin' away." Singer Paul Simon croons about it. Experiencing your vehicle's transmission slipping and sliding means you may not make it to your destination. Low transmission fluid levels restrict hydraulic power inside the transmission casing. The fluid keeps the transmission cool, it keeps internal parts and gears lubricated and allows your vehicle to move forward and backward. Recognizing warning signs of low transmission fluid will help you get to where you need to go.
If your engine speeds up suddenly and your vehicle fails to respond, it could be that your transmission fluid is low.
Sluggish shifting and noticeable lack of immediate response in and out of forward and reverse gears could mean your transmission fluid is depleted.
If your vehicle surges forward and then falls backward during normal operation, creating erratic movements, you may need to replenish transmission fluids.
Unusual sounds like a rhythmic beating, clunking and/or grinding when shifting gears could signal low transmission fluid.
If you see puddles of fluid appearing under your vehicle directly underneath the transmission gear box, it could be your transmission fluid leaking. It should be checked and restored.
Friction and heat raise temperatures inside the gear box, and bad smells or smoke can signal transmission problems. Check your transmission fluid level using the transmission "dip stick." If the color appears brown and has a burnt-toast smell, the fluid has cooked itself and can't lubricate or cool the transmission. Service the transmission to replace the fluid.
