Have you ever tried to drive your car but it wouldn’t move, even though the engine was running and the revs were going up? Especially if you are on the road or in a hurry, this can be very unpleasant and scary. Which of these things could be wrong, and how can you fix it?
What Is a Transmission and How Does It Work?
Car parts that move power from the engine to the wheels are called transmissions. It lets you change gears and move your car at different speeds. Transmissions come in two main types: manual and automatic.
- A manual gearbox has a clutch pedal and a stick shifter that you use to change gears by hand. You have more power over your car if it has a manual gearbox, but it can be harder to use and keep up.
- Moving from one gear to another without you having to do anything is called an automatic gearbox. It’s easier and better to drive with an automatic gearbox, but it can be more expensive and hard to fix.
There are pumps, valves, clutches, bands and liquids that work together in an automatic gearbox to change gears. Transmission oil is the name of the fluid, and it is very important for the transmission to work right. The gearbox fluid keeps the parts of the gearbox cool, clean, and oiled. It also helps make the hydraulic pressure needed to shift gears.
What Causes Your Car Not to Move When You Put It in Drive?
Many things could be wrong with your car if it won’t move when you put it in drive. There are some that are easy to fix and don’t need any professional help, and others that are more complicated and do. Most of the time, these are the reasons why:
- There is a stop on your car. This is the most straightforward and clear reason. Your car will not be able to move if you forget to let go of the parking brake. Just let go of the parking brake and try again to fix this.
- It looks like your gearbox oil is dirty or low. This is a very regular reason why transmissions break down. If your gearbox fluid level is low, there isn’t enough fluid to make the hydraulic pressure that your car needs to change gears. If your gearbox fluid is dirty, it means that it has dirt, metal bits, or other things in it that can hurt the gearbox parts. To fix this, check your gearbox oil and either add more or replace it if it is dirty. You can do this on your own or have a tech do it for you.
- Your gearbox is broken. This is the worst and most expensive reason why transmissions break down. Something is wrong with your gearbox if some of the parts inside it are broken, worn out, or not working right. Many things can lead to this, including getting old, not taking care of it, getting too hot, being abused, or an accident. To fix this, you need to take your car to a gearbox expert. They can figure out what’s wrong with your gearbox and either fix it or replace it.
How to Prevent Your Car from Not Moving When You Put It in Drive?
Taking good care of your gearbox is the best way to make sure that your car moves when you put it in drive. Here are some ideas on how to do that:
- Often check and change your gearbox grease. To keep your gearbox healthy, do this first. Every month, check the amount and colour of your gearbox fluid. Every 30,000 to 60,000 miles, or as needed for your car and driving conditions, you should change it. Your owner’s manual will tell you how often and what kind of gearbox grease to use.
- Do not let your gearbox get too hot. When your car gets too hot, the gearbox oil can break down and stop working properly. It can also damage the gearbox parts. To keep from getting too hot, don’t drive in very hot or cold weather, pull big loads, or sit in stop-and-go traffic for a long time. Also, if your car doesn’t have one already, you should use a gearbox cooler.
- Be careful and drive smoothly. If you drive rough or quickly, your gearbox will be under a lot of stress and wear out faster. To drive slowly, don’t speed up, slow down, or shift gears quickly. Also, never change gears while the car is going, either from drive to reverse or backwards to forward. This can damage the gearbox.
- Regularly fix your gearbox. These tips will help you take better care of your gearbox, but it still needs to be checked and fixed by a professional on a regular basis. You should repair your gearbox at least once a year, or more often if you think something is wrong. Someone who works on cars can look over your gearbox, find any leaks, cracks or other problems, and fix them before they get worse.
Conclusion
There is a problem with your gearbox that is making your car not move when you put it in drive. It might be something small, like your parking brake being on, or it might be something major, like your gearbox being broken. You should either check the gearbox oil or take your car to a mechanic to figure out what’s wrong and fix it. Take good care of your gearbox by checking and replacing the oil often, keeping it from getting too hot, driving carefully and having it serviced regularly. This will keep this problem from happening again. You can keep your car safe and working well by doing these things.
