1. Safety First: Gradually and safely steer your vehicle to the side of the road, away from traffic. Turn on your hazard lights immediately.
2. Assess the Situation: Once safely stopped, check your surroundings and make sure you're out of harm's way.
3. Attempt to Restart: Try turning the engine off and then back on. Sometimes a temporary electrical glitch can cause this.
4. Check the Gear Selector: Make sure the gear selector is firmly in the drive position (D). If it's in neutral (N), it might be a linkage problem. If you can move it, try shifting into different gears to test it.
5. Inspect for Obvious Issues (With Caution): Briefly look under the car for any obvious leaks or damage to the transmission, driveshaft, or other drivetrain components. However, do not do this if you are not mechanically inclined and are unsure of the safety risks. Let a professional handle this.
6. Call for Help: Do NOT attempt to drive the car further. Call for roadside assistance or a tow truck. You'll likely need to have it towed to a mechanic for diagnosis and repair.
Possible Causes (Do not attempt to fix these yourself):
* Transmission Problems: This is the most likely culprit. Internal transmission failure, low transmission fluid, a faulty shift linkage, or a broken transmission output shaft are all possibilities.
* Driveshaft Issues: A broken or severely damaged driveshaft could also cause this symptom.
* Electrical Problems: While less common, a problem with the electrical system controlling the transmission could be a factor.
Important: Do not try to diagnose or fix this problem yourself unless you have significant automotive experience. Driving a car with this issue is dangerous, and further damage to the transmission could occur. A professional mechanic is needed to determine the exact cause and perform the necessary repairs.
