3 Possible Causes Of Rough Shifting And How To Fix Them

One of the more forgettable car problems is rough shifting, as many car owners are content to simply buckle up and endure the bumpy ride rather than getting a transmission repair. However, this mentality can be extremely damaging over time and can make your repairs even more expensive depending on the nature of the issue. Also, since a transmission is so complex, there are a huge number of issues that could be causing this inconvenience, many of which only get worse over time. Here are three possible causes of rough shifting and how to get rid of each. 

Broken Down Transmission Fluid

In the best case scenario, this is the cause of your transmission troubles, as it is easy and cheap to fix. Transmission fluid has a tendency to break down, but far less quickly than other fluids in your car. Transmission fluid should be flushed about every 30,000 miles or two years, depending on your driving tendencies. For this reason, transmission fluid becomes an afterthought for many, even though it is critical to your car's health. Symptoms of transmission fluid that should be replaced include rough shifting, surging, and strange noises like grinding coming from your transmission. 

Bad Solenoid

If your transmission fluid seems to be in proper order, or if you just got it flushed, then your next stop on your inspection should be the solenoid. The solenoid, sometimes called the solenoid valve, is what controls the flow of transmission fluid in the car, so its function is closely tied to that of the fluid itself. The symptoms of this problem are more specific than symptoms of low or bad transmission fluid. If your car completely loses the function of one or more gears, then your solenoids might be to blame. This problem is quickly identified by a diagnostic machine available at many mechanics' shops, so the diagnosis is usually quick and painless. 

Broken Torque Converter

The torque converter is the star of your transmission, so when it goes, the outlook is never good. If both of the above potential culprits are found innocent and your shifting is still not smooth, then the torque converter should be your last ditch effort to find the source of the shifting impediment. Since the torque converter contains so many different parts, it will be hard to figure out what is the matter without an in-depth understanding of cars, so these types of issues are best left to professionals, like those at Atomic Transmissions. 

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