The MINI is one of the most popular vehicles among buyers that prefer a car that is easy to maintain. While the car may be small, it is designed to give excellent performance while remaining fuel efficient, though that is of course dependent upon maintenance. The MINI Cooper is also reasonably priced and will typically be on the road for long time, ensuring that you get a great value for your money.

Like every other vehicle, however, the MINI is not perfect and can develop problems in the course of driving. Depending on how the car is driven, over time the transmission may start to fail. This is a common problem that has plagued many MINI drivers and it can be a serious inconvenience. Here are some things to watch out for in your Mini Cooper in regard to the transmission.

Causes of Transmission Failure

The most common reason for transmission failure is regular wear and tear. The automatic transmission system in the MINI is made up of several smaller parts, all of which affect the functionality of the transmission system. These moving parts are all prone to general wear and tear, and once they start to fall apart then the transmission will start to fail.

Wear of the smaller components in the transmission system will be hastened by rough driving of the vehicle. The MINI is a pretty low car, and hitting curbs and potholes or just driving recklessly over rough surfaces can make the transmission system parts fall apart sooner than expected.

Another cause of the transmission problems in the MINI is low levels of transmission fluid. The transmission fluid is responsible for the transfer of pressure along the different components in the transmission system, effectively enabling the driver to switch gears. Over time, the transmission fluid wears out as well and becomes less viscous, and this affects the pressure that is transmitted within the system.

Symptoms of Transmission Failure

Some of the symptoms that point to a problem in the transmission include:

Difficulty in shifting gears

When the transmission in your MINI has a problem, it is typical to experience some level of difficulty when switching from one gear to the next. This difficulty is sometimes in the form of a delayed response when the gear is changed. Difficulty in changing gears is usually the result of interference with the hydraulic pressure within the system.

Gear slipping

This happens especially when the car is accelerating and somehow there is a shift into neutral or a lower gear from where you started. This is also caused by low pressure in the transmission fluid that makes it next to impossible to shift to a higher gear. Slipping gears can make the car unsafe to drive.

Noises when in neutral gear

When the car is in neutral and you hear noises such as clunking, whirring, or clicking chances are that you have a problem in your transmission. These noises are caused by low levels of transmission fluid, which also serves as a lubricant for the different parts within the transmission. When these parts are not lubricated, friction wears out these parts and they start falling apart, producing the noises.

Leaking transmission fluid

Another sign that could point to a problem in the transmission of your MINI is leaking transmission fluid under your car. Leaking transmission fluid causes the pressure within the transmission to be lowered and this will cause problems during gear changes.

What to Do When the Transmission Fails

Failure of the transmission fluid in your car can render it unsafe to drive. The only sure way to prevent the transmission from failing is by making sure that you take your MINI in for regular servicing. In addition, you should ensure that the transmission fluid is kept full and flushed when necessary.

Should you experience any of the symptoms that indicate that the transmission in your car is failing, you should take your MINI into an auto repair shop so that a professional car mechanic can take the necessary steps to fix it. If you are in the areas around Spring and Houston, TX, Das European Autohaus has got you covered. We have the expertise to ensure that your MINI is taken care of as soon as you give us a call and set up an appointment.