The work of the gearbox is to transfer power from the engine to the wheels. It controls that power to ensure it is transmitted smoothly and at the right amount for an efficient driving experience. If your gearbox is failing, it will show in how it behaves and how the car drives. Be on the lookout for these signs and symptoms so you can address them early before they become very serious and expensive to fix.
Read: CVT Gearbox: Common Issues And Symptoms
- Difficulty or delayed shifting gears or gear slippage: Gear changes should be smooth, effortless and instant. If you encounter resistance shifting gears or there is a noticeable delay between when you change gears and your car responding, its a good indicator of gearbox issues.
- Difficulty or delayed acceleration: If your car takes longer than normal to increase speed after pressing the accelerator pedal, your gearbox has an issue. The car may also accelerate at a rate slower than normal.
- Higher than usual RPMs: A pointer to gearbox problems related to delayed acceleration is higher than normal RPMs. If you notice your car is revving higher than normal especially when accelerating, have your gearbox checked.
- Worse fuel consumption: A failing gearbox is inefficient at transmitting power to the wheels which results in higher than normal fuel consumption. If you notice you are topping up your fuel more frequently than normal, the problem could be the gearbox.
- Leaking gearbox fluid: If you notice red fluid underneath your car, the gearbox is leaking fluid. If the fluid is brown or black, your oil levels have become so low that it has started to burn. At this point, you will be experiencing other gearbox problems such as difficulty or delayed shifting and accelerating.
- Dashboard warning lights: Check engine light on your dashboard is not something you should ignore. It can be an indicator of gearbox problems.
- Shaking, jerking, clunking or grinding sounds during gear changes: Worn out or damaged gears or its components results in grinding or clunking noises when changing gears. Your car may also shake and jerk.
- Smell of burning rubber: If you notice a rubber-like burning smell or smoke, your gearbox has a serious issue. This usually indicates the low transmission fluid in your gearbox is providing inadequate lubrication and is burning.
Some of the causes of gearbox problems are:
- Faulty, broken or worn out gearbox components such as clutch plates, torque converters, linkage rods, seals, transmission casings, gaskets, bearings and shift cables.
- Damaged gears.
- Loose bolts and nuts.
- Issues with transmission fluid i.e. low, the wrong type or old.
- Sensor issues.
- Gearbox needs servicing.
Tips to avoid common gearbox problems:
- Service the gearbox at recommended schedules. Read our essential car maintenance tips for more information.
- Drive with care. Avoid frequent sudden and sustained high accelerations. Read our tips on defensive driving.
- Regularly inspect your car and address any issues before they become major problems.
- Do not ignore any of the suspicious signs we have listed above. Addressing them early means less damage to your car and less repair bills.
