If your car is equipped with an automatic transmission, then it likely has a transmission warning light in the gauge cluster. The design of this light varies from manufacturer to manufacturer, but it often looks like a gear with an exclamation point. When this light illuminates, it means that your car's computer has determined that something is amiss with your transmission. Unlike your check engine light, your transmission warning light almost always indicates a serious problem. Here's what you need to know if this light is popping up on your dash.
What is the Light Trying to Tell You?
Unfortunately, car manufacturers have not standardized all internal diagnostic codes. While your car is equipped with an industry-standard OBDII system for some sensors and issues, this system does not include the sensors inside your transmission. What this means in practice is that your transmission light may illuminate for a broad range of reasons, and it may not always be straightforward to determine the exact cause of the problem without a professional diagnosis.
In general, however, this warning light indicates that one or more sensors within your transmission have detected an issue. While the range of possible warnings is broad, the immediate cause will often be either overheating transmission fluid or a low fluid level.
Understanding Limp Mode
If your transmission light has come on, then there's a good chance that your car is also in limp mode. As with the light itself, the impact of limp mode will vary from model to model. In most cases, you will be limited to an RPM range well below your car's redline. Your transmission may also enter into a unique limp program that will shift more slowly or restrict you to lower gears. The combination of these two effects is likely to mean that you will not be able to drive your car long distances or on the highway at all.
What Should You Do?
It is vital to understand that your car's limp mode is a feature meant to protect your vehicle's critical components. Your vehicle will only enter limp mode if the computer believes that a severe problem has occurred. If this problem is related to your transmission, then you may be low on fluid, or your transmission may be overheating. Both of these problems can very rapidly lead to severe internal damage and ultimately force you to rebuild or replace your transmission. Limp mode may be used to get your car home if you are already close, but you should not continue to drive your vehicle until a trusted transmission shop has fully diagnosed the problem.
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