What Causes a Slipping Gear?
How To Diagnose and Repair It

One of the most common symptoms that can happen when something is wrong with your car’s transmission system is slipping gears. If you’ve ever experienced this issue, you know how frustrating and potentially dangerous it can be. But what exactly causes slipping gears, and how do you go about diagnosing and repairing them?

What Causes Slipping Gears?

  • Slipping gears are usually caused by a worn out clutch or a broken gear in the transmission system. The clutch is responsible for transferring power from the engine to the wheels, but if it wears out due to excessive use it can cause the gears to slip and become sluggish when shifting. In addition, if a component of the transmission such as a gear becomes damaged or worn down, it can also cause slipping.

How Do You Diagnose Slipping Gears?

A transmission specialist can diagnose problems with an automatic or manual transmission by performing a thorough inspection of the system. This includes checking for signs of wear and tear, visually inspecting all the components, and conducting computer scans to find any potential issues.

Checking for signs of wear and tear. When inspecting the transmission system, a technician will look for signs of fluid leakage, which may indicate a problem with seals or gaskets. They will also check for any accumulation of dirt or debris on internal parts which could cause problems if not removed. In addition, they will look for any evidence of corrosion on connectors or wiring that may need to be replaced due to age or damage.

Visually inspecting all components. During this process, technicians will inspect all the sensors connected to the transmission such as speed sensors, pressure switches and solenoids. They will then inspect the condition of all moving parts like the clutches, gears and shift linkages to make sure everything is in order. Any worn or broken components should be replaced right away as this could cause further damage down the line if left unaddressed.

Conducting computer scans. In some cases, a transmission specialist may need to use specialized software to scan your car’s computers and electrical systems in order to identify any potential problems that cannot be seen with just a visual inspection alone. Modern vehicles are equipped with complex computers that control many aspects of their performance – so it’s important to check these systems regularly in order to ensure your car is running smoothly and efficiently.

How Do You Repair Slipping Gears?

The repair process for slipping gears will depend on what has caused them in the first place - if it’s simply worn out parts then these will need replacing before anything else can be done. If however there is more extensive damage involved such as a broken gear then mechanics may have to disassemble parts of your vehicle’s transmission in order to properly assess and repair whatever is causing the issue.


In conclusion, understanding what causes slipping gears is key in determining how best to diagnose and fix them should they ever become an issue with your vehicle. Make sure that you take action quickly by seeking expert advice from a reputable shop if necessary in order to avoid further damage or costly repairs down the road!

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