Your Manual Transmission

Are you a traditionalist when it comes to your choice of vehicle transmission?  If so, that means you are probably driving a stick shift versus an automatic to enhance your driving experience.  While driving a manual transmission requires effort on the part of the driver, it’s a way to stay more connected to the vehicle and the road.

If you do drive a manual, then you realize how important it is to take care of the transmission to avoid costly repairs and time in the shop.

In this month’s blog, we look at the common problems you may encounter with your manual transmission and consider ways to keep the transmission properly maintained.

Typical Manual Transmission Problems

Your vehicle’s transmission is a workhorse and through the miracle of engineering, your transmission is what provides the power to move your vehicle from zero to 60.  Shifting gears create the speed and torque of your vehicle to move forward.  In an automatic transmission, this process is performed without a lot of driver intervention.  In a manual, what the driver does with the clutch and gear shifter begins the work of your transmission.

The transmission is subjected to a lot of stress while in operation.  This stress comes in the form of movement, along with heat and other driving conditions.  These conditions put strain on the components, creating wear and tear.

The table below lists typical manual transmission problems but is not an exhaustive set of problems you may experience.

ProblemPossible Causes Transmission Fluid
Like most vehicle components, the transmission requires fluid to keep the components lubricated and prevent damage from continuous friction and heat. When the transmission fluid leaks, you will notice it under the vehicle, or you may even see smoke because of fluid burning while the vehicle is driving.

Addressing fluid leaks is very important because if neglected, further damage will be caused to your transmission and possibly total failure.

- Fluid is leaking from a worn gasket or seal
- Drain plug issue
- Rusty or damaged (cracked) transmission pan
- Clogged transmission ventilation Clutch
Manual transmission problems may stem from the clutch, or associated parts that the clutch works with to engage or disengage the drive shaft. When the clutch fails, it impacts the ability to engage the transmission gears. If you have a clutch problem, your vehicle may stall, or you may have trouble or inability to change gears during operation.


- Worn clutch from driver misuse
- Poor driving habits, including jackrabbit starts, riding the clutch, keeping a hand on the gear shifter Synchronizer
Your vehicle’s gear synchronizer is responsible for adjusting the speed of the shaft, which need to synchronize with the slider to mesh with the right gears at the right time.
When the synchronizer has a problem, the shifting process will not be smooth between gears because it is unable to synchronize the speed for easy transition.

Synchronizer problems may surface through a variety of symptoms, including:

- Odd sounds, like grinding
- Vehicle jumps into neutral
- Difficulty shifting gears or stuck in a gear- Worn or damaged synchronizer

Manual Transmission Maintenance

Keeping your manual transmission maintained takes the right balance of periodic service and watching your driving habits.  Transmission fluid should be checked monthly, especially if you are doing a lot of driving or heavy driving (like towing).  It is also important to have the transmission fluid replaced every 30,000 – 60,000 miles driven.  This will keep your transmission running smoothly.

Good driving habits include not riding the clutch, keeping your hand off the gear shifter when not in use, keeping the vehicle in park versus neutral when stopped, and avoiding jackrabbit starts.  Be good to your manual transmission and it will be good to you!

If you have any concerns about your manual transmission, contact us today at Shade Tree Garage to schedule an inspection.  Our service professionals will look over your transmission and explain any necessary repairs or replacements.