The transmission of your vehicle is extremely important, regardless if you have a manual or automatic vehicle. The transmission ensures the right amount of power goes to each of the four wheels of your Subaru. If it does not shift into gear with ease, you will discover your car will not move as you would expect it to. If you suspect your vehicle is experiencing problems when shifting gears, it is best to have it served by one of our technicians to find the root of the problem.
You may be wondering, what could cause the transmission to keep the car from shifting smoothly? Our team at Capitol Subaru wants to not only keep your Subaru running in peak condition, but also help you better understand what goes on under the hood of your Subaru. We have summarized four reasons that commonly cause a transmission to not shift. Read more below.
4. Problems with the Clutch
If your Subaru has a manual transmission, the clutch is likely the source of the problem. If the clutch will not disengage, shifting to the next gear may not only be difficult but impossible. If this sounds like your current situation, it's best to reach out to the Subaru service center to schedule a maintenance appointment.
3. Solenoid Failure
The shift lock solenoid is a crucial component of an automatic transmission. The shift lock allows your vehicle to shift when you step on the brake. If this solenoid has been damaged, your car might not get the message that it can shift. Meaning, your car may be stuck in park, even when you try to shift into reverse or drive.
2. Damaged Shift Cable
You may know the shift cable as the shift selector cable or shift linkage. While it has various names, they all have the same function. In older models, the shift cable is what connects the transmission to the shifter handle. If this cable becomes damaged, your vehicle will not get the signal that it is supposed to be in a certain gear.
1. Low Transmission Fluid
Transmission fluid is crucial for both manual and automatic transmissions. Transmission fluid acts as a lubricant for the moving parts of manual transmissions. In an automatic transmission it has the same function as well as being used to cool the components. If the fluid becomes low, the transmission will have a hard time shifting into gear. There are a few reasons for a low level of transmission fluid, one being a leak. If you notice a red fluid leaking from your vehicle, it is likely transmission fluid.
Capitol Subaru of Salem
920 Auto Group Ave NE
Salem, OR 97301
- Sales: 503-587-5500
- Service: 503-587-5500
- Parts: 503-587-5500
