What would cause a transmission not to shift into 3rd gear?

What would cause a transmission not to shift into 3rd gear?

But, if you change this transmission fluid and your auto transmission still won’t shift into the third gear, the throttle cables are the next suspect. Go ahead and check your throttle cables. So, your throttle cables can also be a culprit whenever your automatic transmission is failing to shift into the third gear.

Is it bad to drive an automatic car in 3rd gear?

Will it damage the transmission? Probably not. The engine is going to be running faster than normal to make highway speeds in 3rd, if she got going fast enough it was probably pretty loud. Depending on the vehicle there may be a rev limiter to prevent the engine from running at too high a speed.

What does 3rd gear do in an automatic?

3 – Third gear To be used when you require more power but less speed and to prevent the transmission from shifting to a higher gear. These gears may be used when going up or down hills and on road conditions like slush, loose gravel, snow, sand or ice, where you need more power but less speed.

Why does my car shift hard from 2nd to 3rd?

This kind of reaction is often a sign of low transmission fluid or a faulty transmission control solenoid. Every time a gear change is required, the car’s computer activates a transmission solenoid, which directs transmission fluid into the valve body to engage the correct gear.

How do I know if my shift solenoid is bad?

The main driving symptoms that you will notice with the symptoms of a bad transmission control solenoid is that there could be delayed gear shifting, you can’t downshift and your engine will continue to rev, your transmission will be stuck in the neutral position, and the shifting of gears becomes very rough and choppy …

How fast should you go in 3rd gear?

What Speed Should You Change Gears?

Gear	Speed
1st gear	Between 0 mph and 10 mph
2nd gear	Between 10 mph and 20 mph
3rd gear	Between 20 mph and 30 mph
4th gear	Between 30 mph and 40 mph

Does 3rd gear use more gas?

Driving in the highest gear possible without labouring the engine is a fuel-efficient way of driving. Driving at 60 km/h, a vehicle will use 25 per cent more fuel in third gear than it would in fifth. Travelling at fast rates in low gears can consume up to 45 per cent more fuel than is needed.

Why does my car jerk when shifting gears with an automatic transmission?

Automatic transmissions that shift hard, jerk or shake during a shift change may mean your transmission fluid needs changed or fluid level is low. In manual transmission vehicles, abnormal gear shifts could indicate damaged gear synchros, worn clutches or other, more severe issues.

Can you drive with a bad shift solenoid?

The short answer is that, yes, you can usually drive a car with a bad shift solenoid. Fluid pressure control should continue to function in the gear with the working solenoid, but you should avoid putting any serious stress on the transmission — towing or drag racing — just in case.

How much does it cost to fix a shift solenoid?

Depending on the make, model, and year of your vehicle, you should expect to pay between $15 and $100 for a single transmission shift solenoid replacement cost. A pack of the transmission solenoid replacement can be between $50 to $300.

Is it bad to take off in 3rd gear?

Engineering Explained tackled the common practice in its latest episode and the short answer is yes, it’s perfectly OK to skip gears when upshifting or downshifting. If you shift from third to fifth gear and let the clutch out at the same speed as normal, the car will jerk as it works to settle the unbalance.