Cars can be baffling. To the uninitiated, sometimes it seems like magic is the true fuel source of our gasoline-powered vehicles because there are so many complex systems working together with such precision that nothing else really makes sense. For someone like this, it's even more catastrophic when something goes wrong under the hood. Even if you know your way around an engine, you can still be made to feel this way (for however brief an amount of time) if you've ever put your foot on the gas pedal, and your car didn't go anywhere. This experience can confuse and upset you, luckily we've compiled 5 of the most common reasons your car didn't move when you revved the engine.
5. You're Not in Gear
Ok, these first two may seem kind of obvious, but they're important. Sometimes an elbow bumps the shifter into neutral on accident, or maybe you just forgot that step when getting ready to drive somewhere. Either way, your vehicle needs to be in gear in order for any power to be transferred to the wheels- otherwise, you're just feeding fuel into the engine and burning it up for no real reason. However, if you are in gear and this is still happening to you, read on! Because that could mean something is significantly wrong with your vehicle.
4. Parking Brake is Engaged
Again, this is fairly obvious, but it's also happened to everyone. Particularly if you drive a manual transmission vehicle, it's important to check that you've disengaged the parking brake before jumping to any other conclusions. A good indication that your parking brake is interfering with your drive is a small lurch forward when you really press on the gas. If the car wants to move, but feels like it's being held back, the culprit is likely the parking brake.
3. Worn Clutch Disc (Manual Transmission Only)
A common cause in the disruption of power transference in manual transmissions is a worn clutch disc. The clutch disc is situated against the fly-wheel of your transmission and is what actually transfers the power from the engine to the transmission. Over years of use and many, many gear shifts, the clutch disc can break down and no longer allow for that transfer of power. The good news is, in manual transmissions, this is fairly common and replacing it is a common procedure that most any trained professional (like the ones in our shop at Capitol Toyota) can perform.
2. Bad Transmission Fluid (Automatic Transmission Only)
In vehicles with an automatic transmission, there is no clutch disc. Instead, the transmission relies on a torque converter and the transmission fluid to seamlessly change gears. Over time, like anything, the transmission fluid will degrade and get dirty with use. If it gets bad enough, the dirty fluid can cause the transmission to slip back into neutral or maybe even prevent it from shifting at all. If this is your problem (and if you're lucky enough) you'll need to change out the transmission fluid. If that doesn't work, however, you may have a more significant issue.
1. Blown Transmission
Dreaded words for all motorists and mechanics alike. Sometimes, the damage done to the gears and other insides of the transmission is so severe that there's nothing to be done except replace the entire thing. While this can be done with relative ease by the well-equipped and highly-trained team here at Capitol Toyota, it is a serious job. You should consult with a professional before deciding to replace the transmission of your vehicle and see whether or not it's necessary- or cost effective.
Contact
Capitol Toyota
783 Auto Group Avenue Ne
Salem, OR 97301
- Sales: 503-399-1011
- Service: 503-399-1011
- Parts: 503-399-1011
