Auto Tips

Car Transmission Skipping Gears? These Are the Causes and How to How fix it

30 April, 2024

For car drivers, especially those with manual transmissions, there are times when they experience problems when shifting transmission gears. One of them is experiencing a sudden shift in the transmission to neutral.

This transmission gear shift is usually called a jump gear. If not treated immediately, loose gears will cause various problems. One of those problems seems small but represents significant damage.

This problem can indicate that your car’s transmission requires special care because it is not only annoying while driving. If serious damage occurs, it can reduce safety when driving.

To avoid problems caused by problems that are considered trivial, don’t forget to pay attention to driving safety. Let’s look at the explanation of the causes of transmission gear jumping and how to overcome them.

What Causes Transmission Gears to Skip?

There are several causes of transmission gears jumping, the main problem is usually damaged and worn car components. Apart from that, it is caused by inappropriate driving habits. The following are the causes of transmission gears jumping:

• Worn Gears

The transmission gears are responsible for converting engine speed and torque to the car’s wheels. However, over a long period of time, the gears can become damaged. Routine inspection and early treatment of wear on the gears is very important because it causes the car’s transmission gears to jump out of position when changing gears.

• Blocking Ring Aus

The blocking ring, also called the synchronizer ring, is a transmission part that helps synchronize the speed of the gears before the gears engage. The function of this barrier ring is very important to ensure smooth gear shifting.

If the barrier ring is damaged or worn, the synchronization process is disrupted. This makes changing gears difficult and can cause the transmission gears to jump out of position. If you find any problems with the ring block, this component should be replaced with a new one. After that, the transmission will function as usual.

• Damage to Synchromesh

Damage to the synchromesh is the next cause of car transmission gears jumping. A process known as synchromesh allows gear shifts to be carried out smoothly without producing unpleasant sounds.

To achieve this process, the gears must move at the same speed before meshing; if the synchromesh is damaged, shifting gears and transmission gears will be difficult. Transmission gears tend to jump out of position.

• Excessive Payload Weight

Carrying a lot of cargo can be one of the causes of a car’s transmission gear jumping. Carrying heavy loads beyond the vehicle’s capacity can increase stress on the transmission system.

There is a possibility that the car’s gears will jump out of position due to excessive load on the gears. Avoid transporting items that exceed your vehicle’s maximum load capacity.

• Replacing Improper Gear

Another reason a car’s transmission gears jump is changing the wrong gear. When replacing transmission parts, it is very important to ensure that you have changed the transmission gear correctly. Using gears that do not meet specifications can cause problems with your car’s gear shifting, including gears that jump out of position.

• Incorrect Clutch Settings

Improper clutch settings can also cause gears to skip, which causes the transmission to seize and make it difficult to engage. To solve this problem, you can change the clutch step to a shallower or less deep one by improving the clutch depth.

• Clutch Cover Weak Clutch

Weakening of the clutch cover is the next cause of transmission gear jumping. This clutch system component has the function of clamping the clutch lining. To solves this problem, if the damage is small enough, it can be repaired, and if the damage is very serious, it can be replaced with a new part.

• Age Factor of Use

After the time has passed, each component must be replaced; if not done, it may cause discomfort while driving. If your vehicle is old enough, it is very important to carry out regular maintenance. If the vehicle is old enough, you can replace the components with new ones.

How to Fix a Transmission Gear Shift in a Car

To deal with a jumping transmission gear, you can do the following:

• Replace Damaged and Worn Components

The way to deal with a car’s transmission gear jumping is to find the damaged component. Inspect your transmission thoroughly to see if any components show signs of aging, such as worn gears, damaged rings, or damage to the synchromesh.

Make sure to choose spare parts that match your car’s specifications because using the wrong components can worsen the condition of the transmission. After finding out what component is problematic, immediately replace it with a new one.

Consult a professional mechanic if you are unsure which part should be replaced. They have the knowledge and resources necessary to address transmission issues.

• Perform Regular Maintenance

Don’t miss out on regular maintenance for your beloved car. Regular maintenance can help spot problems and prevent them from becoming more serious problems.

Therefore, the transmission oil should be changed according to the car manufacturer’s recommendations. Dirty or reduced volume oil can cause excessive friction in the gears.

Have your car’s transmission checked at a repair shop every six months. The mechanic will look for signs of damage or wear on the transmission components.

Although it may seem like an additional expense, regular car maintenance according to the manufacturer’s recommendations is a profitable investment to prevent more expensive breakdowns in the future.

• Drive the Car Well

How you drive can affect the condition of your car’s transmission, so you have to drive your car correctly so that the transmission doesn’t jump gears. Before increasing speed, change gears gently and make sure the gear is completely engaged.

Try to slow down or speed up smoothly. Accelerating or stopping the car suddenly can increase stress on the transmission. Make sure the car has come to a complete stop before changing gears from forward to reverse, or vice versa. Damage to the gears can occur if the gears are changed while the car is still moving.

After reading about car transmission gears jumping, make sure you always pay attention to the condition of your car. Drive the car properly and correctly, so that there are no problems with important components. Don’t forget to always maintain routine maintenance so that the car is always in top condition.