What is the Best Additive for a Slipping Transmission | Tips and Suggestion

What is the best additive for a slipping transmission? This is a popular question. A slipping transmission occurs when your gear level shifts without your consent. To control these problems slipping additives have been made. A slipping additive is used to decrease or control the resistance of a film from moving over itself. Some additives for slipping transmission include as follows:

The time duration of the Lucas transmission fix, when applied to work, takes about 25 minutes. This additive is a very thick liquid, and it's friction modifiers are formulated to dissolve into the heated transmission fluid. It reduces leakage, shudders, and slippage. After applying it, you should be able to drive at about 20 to 25 minutes to mix with the existing fluid.

Sometimes, we depend on what is said on the labels of additives found on the shelves of our local convenience stores. These additives often exaggerate the promises that these items will bring. Not all additives work, but often cause more damage to our automatic transmission. Not all additives are harmful, but it's quite challenging to find a highly effective additive that won't be easy.

Accumulation of Dirt and Debris

When you are accelerating to go fast, and your engine is generating the power to go soon, your car doesn't shift properly, or when your car changes gears, it is called slipping. To stop a slipping transmission, you'd need to check where the problem is coming from. For a reduced fluid degree, you'd need to add more fluid. When you notice a leak in your transmission, that part would need to be closed to prevent further slipping or more severe accidents.

Sometimes a slipping transmission can be caused by a blocked filter. This is because the filter has accumulated debris and dirt over the years. When the filter is cleaned or changed if damaged, it should be corrected.

When you experience a transmission slip, you will notice that when you are driving, at an appropriate gear, it changes by itself. Unstable acceleration, unable to reverse, a burnt smell will linger in the air, strange noises will be made by the vehicle, complications, or difficulty in changing the gears. A transmission that needs replacements always costs more.

How to Fix a Transmission Slip

To fix your transmission when it starts to slip, you'd want to check if the problems coming from the fluid, then you can adjust the problem by changing the fluid. If you notice that you cannot fix it yourself, you'd need to get a mechanic or take it to an auto repair shop, because the problem may be difficult, such as broken brands, leakage or repair of worn-out parts. Removing some specific components such as the gear or the clutch needs a professional, so don't fail to get one when you notice the problem is out of hand.

Resetting Your Transmission 

If you choose to reset your transmission, all you have to do is turn the key till the dash lights come on, do not start the vehicle or the engine in this step. Step on the gas pedal till it goes all the way down, continue to step on the gas pedal for at least 12 seconds. Then turn off the car, but don't remove the key, release the gas pedals, and wait for about 3 minutes during this period the key is still in the off position. 

Then lastly, start your vehicle and drive. The engine control unit and the transmission control unit will work together in a pattern, and you'll feel as if you got yourself a new transmission. The other option that you can go with is disconnecting the batteries to reset any transmission error code. This procedure is also very fast.

All you have to do is pop the hood of the car, disconnect the opposite cable from the battery with the help of a wrench, then go into the driver's side and press the horn till it stops completely. This will clear any error code from the control's memory, then reconnect the batteries.

Under no condition should you drive your car when your transmission is slippery. This is advised because the car's safety is unpredictable, and the gears can change differently without warning, and this can cause damage or even accidents.

Transmission leaks

Transmission leaks can occur because of different reasons. One reason maybe because of the high temperature, and can cause the pan seals to crack and start leaking. Other reasons might be the accumulated dirt or heat, which can cause it to break and start leaking fluid. 

To check your transmission, identify your transmission dipstick, which is found beneath the hood, in the engine compartment. When you pull out your dipstick, touch it with your index finger and rub it between your thumb and index finger. If it is pinkish and nearly transparent, your transmission fluid is ok, but if it looks burnt, you need to change it. 

Then wipe it with a rag and reinsert it and pull it out. If the oil doesn't reach the full line, you need to add more fluid but didn't overfill. Keep in mind that your transmission fluid's appearance should be bright, clear, or pink in color. If the fluid is brown or red, it means that the fluid needs to be changed, or it may damage your transmission.

Limp mode is a security aspect in cars, which engages when the transmission units are faulty. Once this is detected, the limp mode causes some unimportant features in the car, such as the air conditioning, to stop or reduce the car's speed. To get your car out of limp mode, you'll need first to find a safe place to park your car if you're driving. Then allow the car to be completely off for a minute or two, before restarting the engine. 

When your vehicle is in limp mode, you'd also notice that the acceleration will be very slow. Your engine starts shaking while trying to come on, and your transmission will automatically downshift, without your consent.

Effects of Overfill in Transmission

Some effects of overfill in transmission are, leakage will occur in the gearbox, which is often because the transmission seals have been broken due to the pressure built up. It can cause damage to your internal engine parts and therefore lock up your engine. Also, when you overfill your transmission, the fluid can submerge the gears. This can cause a tear in your transmission and further damages over time.

When adding transmission fluid, your car should always be on but should be in park mode, and handbrake engaged for safety. For more information on what type of transmission fluid your car needs, use your owner's manual because cars vary, and the fluid for one car isn't a fluid for another. Transmission fluid should be refilled after your car has run at about 40,000 to 60,000 miles. Some car manufacturers recommend for vehicles to change their fluid every 14,000 to 15,000 miles.

To refill your transmission fluid, make sure that it isn't filled to avoid overfilling, use a proper funnel, and add liquid to the transmission slowly and carefully. Always check the level of the fluid after a little amount to avoid overfilling.

Torque Converters 

A torque converter is a type of fluid coupling that converts rotating energy, from a primary mover to a rotating driven load. It allows the engine to spin unassisted of the transmission. A bad torque converter will have some effects like slipping, shuddering, infected transmission fluid, overheating, and torque seal damage. Ensure that before you drive, you check your torque converter, because driving with a faulty torque converter can cause severe damage.

Safety Measures and Precautions

Here are some safety measures that need to be adhered to. When your car is in a slipping transmission, always make sure you park your vehicle in a safe zone to avoid accidents. Always make sure to get an additive that has high quality. When experiencing a slipping transmission for the first time, please don't panic, stay calm, and park your vehicle safely before checking it. 

If you can't fix your slipping transmission yourself, get a mechanic or a car professional to avoid more damages. Always keep a fire extinguisher in your car in case of a fire outbreak. Please ensure you get someone to assist you while adding fluid to your transmission, to avoid spilling it. And lastly, always seek help when you need it.