Reasons Behind Automatic Transmission Jerking in Jaguar

Posted on | 22 Aug 2018 By Anita Gaal

Owning any type of Jaguar can be fun and thrilling no matter how new or old it is. They are luxurious and made to keep you safe and comfortable. Your Jaguar is made up of many parts and components that have to all work together to provide this smooth and safe ride that you and your passengers are used to. However, as your Jaguar gets older and is used more frequently, a common issue that can show its ugly head is automatic transmission jerking.

There are a few reasons that you should be aware of that will point to why your automatic transmission is jerking. Being able to identify these signs will allow you to quickly bring your Jaguar to us at Euro Automotive for a servicing that is reliable and knowledgeable about European vehicles, including Jags. If you are able to bring in your Jaguar quickly for the automatic transmission jerking, it can often be fixed relatively quickly for a low price. It is important to note that the longer you wait to bring your Jaguar in, the more costly the damage could be.

Low Transmission Fluid

Having low transmission fluid can lead to very severe jerking. The jerking can occur because there is not enough fluid to help create the hydraulic pressure that is needed to engage with the gears as they shift. As your Jaguar attempts to automatically shift gears without enough pressure, then the transmission will begin to jerk.

Checking the transmission fluid level in your Jaguar is something that you are able to do quickly at your home. The fluid will first need to be warm so start your car and let it run for a few minutes. Then open the hood and take out the transmission dipstick. Check that the fluid is in between the two notches that will generally read “full” and “add.” If the fluid is lower than the add notch, then you can simply add more transmission fluid using a funnel. If the fluid is at the appropriate level and the transmission continues to jerk, then the reason for it could be from another issue occuring in the transmission.

Worn Out Transmission Parts

The first reason that you may be experiencing automatic transmission jerking is because one or more of the parts has worn down. In an automatic transmission there are multiple sets of gears, clutches, and bands that will allow for smooth gear shifting. If one of these bands is worn down, then the shifting will become jerky. With this jerking happening, you may also experience a moment where the engine revs up after it was supposed to have changed gears.

Another thing that will come along with the jerking due to a worn out band is the feeling of the car slipping as it slows down. This would suggest that the band is not securing the parts as it is supposed to.

If one of the multiple clutches is worn down, then your Jaguar will experience transmission jerking as well. In an automatic transmission, the clutches are all throughout and if there is not enough fluid reaching the plates then they will wear down. If worn down enough, then they could end up broken or burnt. The heat that the car is producing will quickly burn the clutches if not enough transmission fluid is present. With broken and burnt pieces rattling around in the transmission, you are sure to experience a jerking motion as the transmission attempts to change gears.

We Can Help

At Euro Automative, we know that automatic transmission jerking is a common problem, so our service technicians are trained extensively in how to deal with the problem. Located in Dallas, TX, we are easily accessible from all surrounding areas such as Garland, Arlington, and Fort Worth.

We have technicians that have specializations in luxury cars such as the Jaguar. We will go into and under your car to find what is causing the automatic transmission jerking and fix it in a timely manner. But we will not stop there! We will also take the time to check other parts surrounding the issue to ensure that nothing else was affected. If we find any other problems, we will always discuss them with you immediately. We know that your car and your time is equally valuable and we will work to make sure that neither one is wasted so that you can be back on the road as soon as possible.

* Jaguar Car Logo image credit goes to: Streager.

How to Deal With a Transfer Case Failure in Volvo

Posted on | 7 Aug 2018 By Anita Gaal

For many years, Volvo has been making cars that are four wheel and all wheel drive. Four wheel and all wheel drive allows the car to successfully maneuver through rough terrain such as dirt, gravel, and snow. Due to this capability, along with a sense of style, Volvos are being chosen more and more as a go to car to drive in areas where all wheel drive is necessary.

For a Volvo to have the four wheel and all wheel drive capability, it requires a transfer case. If the transfer case is failing then this means that the vehicle is no longer functioning in the all wheel drive mode. This can prove to be very dangerous if it goes unrepaired. One example would be if it has begun to snow and your Volvo needs to be in four wheel or all wheel drive in order to maneuver through the streets that will soon be covered in snow. As I’m sure you can imagine, this can get dangerous very quickly. Knowing the symptoms for a transfer case failure and how to deal with it in your Volvo will ultimately keep you and others safe.

What is a Transfer Case

A transfer case is the component that is going to send the power from the engine through the axels to each of the four wheels. Depending on what model of Volvo you own, there are three to four drive modes, and for each of these modes they will have different transfer cases. The first is that the car will be in all wheel drive at all times. The second is part-time four wheel drive. This means that you have the ability to go from two wheel drive to four wheel drive when you need to. This is beneficial for those who drive mainly on paved roads and rarely go through extreme elements.

The third and newest mode is active all wheel drive. This will have the most complicated transfer case system, because the car has to decide when to switch automatically into all wheel drive mode. Going into all wheel drive mode will be brief and it depends on the type of terrain you are driving on at that exact moment.

Symptoms of a Transfer Case Failure

There are a couple different ways you will be able to tell if your Volvo is experiencing a transfer case failure. Knowing them ahead of time will allow you to recognize them if they were to occur.

Grinding Noises Underneath Car

Like most parts in your Volvo, in order for the transfer case to work properly there needs to be fluid or lubricants involved. The lubricants will keep the transfer case functioning the way it needs to be as smoothly as possible. If there is a lack of fluids running through the transfer case, then as it attempts to work there will be a lot of grinding occurring. If your Volvo starts making any type of metal-to-metal grinding noises, then you know to take it in immediately.

Volvo Jumps In and Out of Four Wheel Drive

If your Volvo automatically goes into four wheel drive or if you control when it does, a failing transfer case will mean that the car will not be able to follow this four wheel drive command. The car will jump in and out of the four wheel drive mode seemingly at random. This could be due to a possible lack of fluids in the transfer case. The lack of fluids may be caused by a leak that will have to be addressed. Broken pieces in the transfer cases can also cause this problem.

The Professionals Who Care

Once you notice either one or both of these signs of a transfer case failure in your Volvo, bring it down to Euro Automotive so we can properly address the issue. Our technicians are certified in handling the most complex issues so you know that we will be able to effectively repair a transfer case that is failing. We want to keep you safe in all terrains that you are travelling on with your Volvo.

We are located in Dallas TX, and are easily accessible from Fort Worth, Garland, and Arlington. Whether you need repairs or standard maintenance, bring your Volvo in to our experts at Euro Automotive so we can help you get back on the road.

* Volvo Steering Wheel image credit goes to: huettenhoelscher.

* Volvo XC60 R-Design image credit goes to: gargantiopa.