You recently visited a mechanic for some auto repairs, and they mentioned that your transmission is not in good condition. However, since you weren't financially prepared for the expense, you decided to ignore it for a while. But as you drive back home, you're worried about what could happen if you keep driving with transmission problems.
A car's transmission is a system that transfers the power created by the engine to the wheels. Can you drive your vehicle while it has transmission issues? The answer is yes. However, it won't be a smooth ride. Below are some things to expect when you continually drive your car with a failing transmission:
Difficulty Shifting Gears
Whether your vehicle is automatic or manual, you will experience problems when shifting gears. This problem occurs when the transmission fluid is low or contaminated with dirt and grime. The fluid is unable to transfer power to the wheels, and as a result, your car doesn't respond appropriately to gear changes.
With an automatic car, you will notice that the gears change when they shouldn't and fail to shift when they should. The car also starts to lose power, and this causes the gears to slip. Luckily, you can address this problem by simply changing the transmission fluid. Failure to do so puts pressure on the engine, an issue that could eventually lead to engine failure.
Unpleasant Noises
One of the first signs of transmission problems is grinding noises when driving or shifting gears. This is a sign of low or contaminated transmission fluid, which acts as a lubricant to the moving parts. Without the fluid, the metal parts grind against each other, causing an unusual noise when driving the car.
You need to top up the transmission fluid to ensure it adequately lubricates the parts, transmits power and cools the moving parts. If the fluid is at acceptable levels, then you have to flush it and put in fresh fluid. Look out for fluid leaks, which could also cause low levels. Failure to fix this problem can cause premature wear to the metal parts in your transmission system.
Erratic Behaviour
If you choose to drive a car with transmission problems, get ready for unexpected and dangerous actions from the vehicle. These include suddenly surging ahead or falling back without any action on your part. The car may also respond sluggishly when you switch gears. Such erratic behaviour can cause you to lose control over the vehicle and cause an accident.
Is It Worth the Risk?
Transmission problems can range from minor issues such as low fluid levels, to major ones like damage to components. Driving the car is possible, but it's only a matter of time before the transmission fails and costs you a lot of money in repairs.
To be on the safe side, have an expert check your car's transmission and carry out the necessary transmission repairs immediately.
