Transmission & Clutch
What Does It Feel Like When Gear Changes Are Difficult?
Difficulty changing gears can show up in different ways depending on the cause and the type of gearbox your car has. You might notice the gear lever feels stiff or resistant when you try to move it. Gears may crunch or grind as you try to engage them. The car might refuse to go into a particular gear at all, or slip out of gear unexpectedly while driving.
On a manual car, you might also notice the clutch pedal feeling different, sitting higher or lower than usual, or needing to be pressed further to the floor before the gear engages. On an automatic car, you may feel hesitation, juddering, or a delay between selecting a gear and the car responding.
Any of these symptoms point to something in the transmission or clutch system that needs attention.
What Is Causing It?
There are several possible causes of difficult gear changes, some straightforward and some more serious. Below are the most common. Only a proper inspection can confirm exactly what is wrong with your car.
Worn or Slipping Clutch
The clutch is what connects and disconnects the engine from the gearbox on a manual car, allowing you to change gear smoothly. Over time the clutch plate wears down and loses its ability to engage and disengage cleanly. A worn clutch can make it hard to select gears, cause crunching when changing, or make the car feel like it is struggling to pull away. Our clutch replacement service covers full clutch inspection and replacement.
Low or Contaminated Clutch Fluid
On cars with a hydraulic clutch system, clutch fluid transfers the pressure from the pedal to the clutch mechanism. If the fluid level is low due to a leak, or if the fluid has become contaminated, the clutch may not disengage fully when you press the pedal, making gear changes difficult or crunchy.
Worn Gear Synchromesh
Inside a manual gearbox, synchromesh rings help match the speed of the gear you are selecting to the speed of the gearbox shaft, allowing smooth engagement. When these rings wear, gears become difficult to engage and you may hear a crunching or grinding noise, particularly when changing into a specific gear.
Gearbox Oil Issues
Gearbox oil lubricates the internal components of the transmission. If the oil level is low, has broken down over time, or has become contaminated, gear changes can feel stiff, notchy, or difficult. This is often overlooked because gearbox oil is not checked as frequently as engine oil.
Worn or Damaged Gear Linkage
The gear linkage is the mechanical connection between the gear lever and the gearbox. If any part of the linkage becomes worn, bent, or disconnected, it can make gears feel vague or difficult to select, or prevent certain gears from engaging at all.
Clutch Cable Stretch or Failure
On older cars with a cable-operated clutch rather than a hydraulic one, the cable can stretch over time or snap entirely. A stretched cable changes where the clutch bites and can make gear changes feel heavy or imprecise. A snapped cable means the clutch stops working altogether.
Automatic Gearbox Issues
On automatic cars, difficulty selecting gears or hesitation between gear changes can be caused by low transmission fluid, a faulty torque converter, worn clutch packs inside the gearbox, or a problem with the gearbox control unit. Automatic gearbox repairs are more complex and require a thorough diagnostics check to identify the cause.
Transmission & Clutch
Is It Safe to Drive?
What you are experiencingIs it safe to drive?What to doGears feel slightly stiff but engage cleanlyUse cautionBook an inspection soon. The problem is likely to get worse.Crunching or grinding when changing gearsNot recommendedHave it checked promptly. Continued use can damage the gearbox.Unable to select one or more gearsNot recommendedAvoid driving where possible and book an inspection as soon as possible.Clutch pedal feels different or sits at a different heightNot recommendedCould indicate clutch or hydraulic system issues. Get it checked quickly.Car slipping out of gear while drivingDo not driveThis is a safety risk. Call us or arrange recovery immediately.Clutch pedal has gone to the floor and is not returningDo not driveThe clutch has likely failed. Do not drive. Call for recovery.
Transmission & Clutch
What Should You Do?
1. Do not force the gears. If a gear is not engaging, forcing the lever can cause damage to the synchromesh or gear teeth inside the gearbox. If a gear will not engage cleanly, ease off and try again gently.
2. Check the clutch fluid level. On cars with a hydraulic clutch, the fluid reservoir is usually located near the brake fluid reservoir under the bonnet. If the level is low, this may be contributing to the problem. However, low fluid often indicates a leak, so it should be investigated.
3. Note when the difficulty happens. Is it only on a specific gear? Does it happen when the engine is cold or all the time? Does it come with a noise? This information helps our mechanics narrow down the cause much faster.
4. Call First Auto Centre. Give us a call on 020 4539 0131 and describe what you are experiencing. Our team can advise you and get your car booked in for an inspection at our East Ham garage. If the car is not safe to drive, we can arrange 24/7 breakdown recovery.
5. Get a proper diagnosis. The clutch, gearbox, and associated components all interact with each other, so pinpointing the exact cause requires a thorough inspection. Our mechanics will carry out a physical check alongside a car diagnostics scan to identify what needs attention.
Hard to Change Gears?
Let Us Take a Look.
Gearbox and clutch problems rarely improve on their own and can become more expensive the longer they are left. Bring your car to First Auto Centre in East Ham and our experienced team will inspect the clutch, gearbox, and related components to find out exactly what is going on.
Call us on 020 4539 0131 or visit us at 1 Lawrence Road, East Ham, London, E6 1JN.
We are open Monday to Saturday, 09:00 to 18:00.
This page is for general guidance only. Only a physical inspection can properly diagnose a gearbox or clutch issue. If your car feels unsafe to drive, call us before driving further.
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Your Questions
FAQs
Common signs of a worn clutch include the car struggling to pull away, the engine revving higher than expected without a corresponding increase in speed (known as clutch slip), difficulty selecting gears, a burning smell after driving, or the clutch biting point feeling very high or very low. If you notice any of these, it is worth having the clutch inspected. Our clutch replacement service includes a full assessment before any work is carried out.
Most clutches last between 60,000 and 100,000 miles, but this varies a lot depending on driving style. Town driving with frequent stop-start traffic and hill starts puts more strain on the clutch than motorway driving. Riding the clutch, which means resting your foot on the pedal while driving, also shortens its life significantly.
Yes. Gearbox oil lubricates the moving parts inside the gearbox, and if it is low or degraded, gear changes can feel stiff, notchy, or rough. Unlike engine oil, gearbox oil does not get checked during every service, so it is worth asking when it was last inspected. This is something our team checks during a car service.
Not all gearbox issues will automatically cause an MOT failure, but a clutch that is slipping badly or a gearbox that prevents the car from being driven safely can result in a fail. It is always better to have any known issues looked at before your MOT is due.
The cost depends on what is causing the problem. Some issues, such as low gearbox oil or a worn clutch cable, are relatively inexpensive to fix. A full gearbox repair or rebuild is more involved and costly. At First Auto Centre, we give you a clear, honest quote before any work begins.
Hesitation or delay in an automatic gearbox can be caused by low or degraded transmission fluid, a worn torque converter, or an issue with the gearbox control unit. It can also sometimes be triggered by a fault logged in the engine management system. A car diagnostics check is the best first step to identify what is causing the problem.
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Contact Us
- info@firstautocentre.co.uk
- 1 Lawrence Road, Newham, London, E6 1JN
- Mon-Sat: 09:00 - 18:00
- Sunday: Closed
