The convenience of automatic transmissions have made them increasingly popular with manual transmission sales making up only 3.9% of total sales in 2013. Automatic transmissions are designed to engage in a smooth and firm manner. If you experience any flaring or slipping, it is a huge indication that the transmission is failing and needs to be repaired. Here are 3 common causes for slipping and their recommended solutions.

1. Low Fluid Levels

The overall engagement of the transmission relies on whether the torque converter can transmit engine torque to the transmission. To do so, the converter must be filled with fluid to generate sufficient internal pressure to engage the gears. If the fluid level is low, the transmission will be susceptible to slipping.

To check for low fluid levels, warm up your vehicle first by turning it on and perform a dipstick reading. If you check the fluid level while the vehicle is off, you will not get an accurate reading because there will not be any fluid circulating inside the engine at this point of time. If the fluid levels are low, add one pint of transmission fluid at a time to avoid over-filling the reservoir.

2. Low Fluid Pressure

If the transmission fluid levels are at appropriate levels, the cause of the slipping may be a result of low fluid pressure. To engage the gears, the fluid must generate sufficient internal pressure. If the transmission pump is worn or if the fluid filter is blocked, the pressure generated by the transmission fluid will not be sufficient for a smooth operation. A professional mechanic will need to examine the transmission carefully to find out what's wrong.

If the transmission pump is worn, the entire transmission will need to be rebuilt. On the other hand, if the tubes and filters are blocked, draining the transmission fluid out of the transmission and either cleaning or replacing these parts will generally solve the problem.

3. Faulty Pressure Regulations and Controls

Last but not least, slipping may be caused by faulty pressure regulations and controls. This means that the pressure solenoid valve is faulty and cannot control the fluid flow in the transmission properly. To determine which circuit is malfunctioning, the mechanics will look at the readings of each gear position.

Once the malfunctioning circuit has been identified, it will need to be replaced. If more than one circuit is affected, you may need to rebuild the entire transmission.

Conclusion

The transmission plays one of the most important roles in your vehicle's performance. If you notice any signs that the transmission may be failing, get your car to a mechanic immediately. If you catch the problem while it is still considered to be minor, it will be much easier to perform the transmission repairs that are necessary. On the other hand, if you wait, you may end up damaging the transmission entirely and having to replace or rebuild it, which can be quite a costly event.

To learn more, contact a company like Shiftright Transmissions.