Posted on 30January2026
Most transmission problems don’t start with a dramatic failure. They usually begin as a small change in how the car feels, something you notice once, then again a week later. A shift that used to be smooth feels a little firm. The engine revs a bit higher before it grabs the next gear. You might even wonder if it’s just your imagination. In our experience, those early changes are worth paying attention to because the earlier you catch them, the more options you typically have. Why Rough Shifts And Slipping Often Start Subtle Modern transmissions are good at hiding trouble for a while. The computer can adjust shift timing and pressure to keep things feeling normal, even when fluid is aging or a component is starting to drift. That’s helpful, but it also means the first symptoms can be inconsistent. Heat plays a big role, too. A transmission may behave fine on a cold start, then act up after a longer drive once fluid temperature climbs. If your comp ... read more