Why Is My Audi Having A Hard Time Going Into Gear?

The easiest way to tell if something is wrong with your vehicle's transmission unit is to keep a close watch on its behavior. We can learn a lot about a transmission's health by the way it acts. If your Audi is having a hard time going into gear, it means that some of its transmission parts are not working the way they should be.

And, leaving such an issue unresolved will likely lead to larger issues in the future. So, if your car is having trouble shifting into gear- regardless of the cause- you should have a mechanic inspect the transmission and rectify the issue as soon as possible.

Here’s what Such a Problem could mean…

Have a look at the reasons your transmission could be behaving in such a way and the steps you can take to fix it.

Issue #1- Transmission is low on lube

Lack of lubrication may be to blame if your car is performing strangely and having a hard time going into gear. Is there a reason for this, you asked? Well, both manual and automatic transmission use lube to keep their essential transmission parts adequately greased. In addition to this, the internal components of an automatic transmission is driven by hydraulic pressure and friction provided by lube.

So, obviously… if the lube level drops below the optimal range, the transmission will begin to act up. As a result, you will have trouble shifting into gear.

Issue #2- The clutch is at fault (manual)

The clutch serves the important function of establishing and destroying the connection between the engine and the transmission. It is a fairly complicated piece of equipment with two rotating shafts. The cover plate, pressure plate, driven plate, and release bearing are some other parts that make up a vehicle's clutch. Also, there is a cable that allows the driver to control the clutch.

In the event of something wrong with the clutch or clutch cable, the transmission may behave disorderly and may have shifting issues.

Issue #3- Problematic torque converter (automatic)

If your car has an automatic transmission, the shifting problem may be caused by a defective torque converter. The torque converter, just like the clutch, acts as a bridge between the engine and transmission. In other words, it is a fluid coupling device that essentially transfers the power generated by the engine to the transmission.

To do so, it employs numerous parts such as the impeller, the turbine, a clutch, and a stator. An adequate amount of fluid is also necessary for a torque converter to function. If such a crucial part of your car goes bad, you will have a hard time going into gear.

Issue #4- Bad gear shifter assembly

It is the gear shifter assembly that allows the driver to change gears in a vehicle. If it malfunctions due to some reason, you will not be able to put your car into different gears. Some of the major contributors to gear shifter assembly problems in a car are everyday wear and tear, a defective shift selector cable and installation-related errors.

In any case, if you suspect a gear shifter or gear selector problem in your car, call a technician immediately.

Issue #5- Car is in limp mode

Yep… it's a possibility. If your car goes into limp mode, you will not be able to accelerate your car beyond a certain speed limit and won't be able to go into high gears. In case you didn't know, the limp mode is a security feature that essentially springs into action when the onboard computer detects a serious problem. By lowering the RPM and deactivating less important components, the limp mode develops an invisible protective layer around key car parts such as the engine and the transmission.

If your BMW is in limp mode, reach out to a nearby car service center so that the fault that triggered the mode can be identified and taken care of.

Long Story Short…

If your Audi is having a hard time going into gear, don’t take it lightly. It could indicate anything from declining transmission fluid level to a serious mechanical flaw. In any case, you should not take any chances. Otherwise, a minor issue could turn into a significantly more expensive transmission repair. So, if your transmission is having a problem, reach out to a car service center in your locality as soon as possible.

JCL Automotive is one of the leading automotive service and repair facility located in Hellertown, PA. We are proud to assist our customers in looking after high-end cars like Audi, BMW, and Mercedes.