Transmission bangs into 1st gear only from a stop

Happy New Year!

Fortunately, it’s also a happy new year for your transmission as your problem is more than likely to be a relatively simple to fix, check the transmission fluid level. I suspect your car’s transmission is down a bit and that some parts of the transmission are taking extra time to sync up because the transmission fluid pressure has to build up enough to get those pieces covered.

When your transmission fluid is down a bit your transmission can function reasonably because the tranny can force whatever fluid is in the case — up to a point — to cover all parts of the transmission, eventually. That’s why it is taking a bit longer and when the shift happens it slams.

Not too long ago, we wrote up a section on how to correctly check and change your car’s transmission fluid level. Yes, the write-up does cover a lot of material but you will find a section on how to check the fluid level. Just follow the steps listed and you will know your transmission fluid level. Here’s a link to the procedure:

If it is down, obtain the proper transmission fluid recommended for your car’s transmission — some use Dexron, others don’ — purchase a quart and then carefully refill the transmission a bit at a time until the fluid level is at the “full” marking (F) on the dipstick.

Please let me know what happens.