Family Cars Information

Engine runs, but car will not move when put in gear

Automatic Transmission: If you place the selector in Drive or Reverse, but the engine just races when you step on the gas and the car does not move or moves very slowly, it means that there is a problem with the transmission or driveline.  First thing to do is check the fluid level in the transmission.  In most cars, you check the transmission fluid level with the engine running in Park.  If the fluid level is very low, in short, you see no fluid on the dipstick, shut off the engine to avoid further damage to the transmission and call for a tow to a repair shop.  In some cases, a leak can be repaired fairly easily without a large expense (assuming the transmission wasn’t damaged by running with low fluid levels).  If the fluid is full, there is a slight chance that the gearshift may have come disconnected, which means that you lucked out.  Otherwise, you are most likely facing an expensive transmission rebuild.

Standard Shift Transmission: If you put the transmission in gear, but when you release the clutch, the car does not move or moves very slowly even though the engine is racing, it is probably time to replace the clutch.  On some cars, you may be able to get by with a clutch adjustment, but if it has been slipping for a while, chances are that the friction surface of the clutch is burnt and will need to be replaced.