Is my transmission slipping or my tires spinning?

[GDawg]

Sometimes... when I take off from a light I can feel my car slip a little. I'm not flooring it but I am not babying it either. Doesn't do it everytime but when it does it almost feels like my tires are spinning and then suddenly getting traction.

I have a 5-speed. Stock tranny and diff. I have H&R SuperSports with Bilsteins. I have Goodyear Eagle F1 GS-D3 that aren't even six months old and they used to bite really well eventhough now it's a bit easier to break them loose. This only started about a month ago and it happens about 1 out of every 10 or 20 times I take off.

What do you think?

 

[DocG]

This is just an odd question.....I'd think you'd know if it was your tires just by the feel of it...kinda hard to explain it. If anything, it'd be your clutch and not your tranny. If its your tires, next time it does it, just press down the gas all the way, if the rpm's continue to climb and the "slip" feeling is still there, then you broke them loose cuz if you're spinning, more gas will just make em spin more. If it catches, it'd be something else.

 

[GDawg]

This is just an odd question.....I'd think you'd know if it was your tires just by the feel of it...kinda hard to explain it. If anything, it'd be your clutch and not your tranny. If its your tires, next time it does it, just press down the gas all the way, if the rpm's continue to climb and the "slip" feeling is still there, then you broke them loose cuz if you're spinning, more gas will just make em spin more. If it catches, it'd be something else.

Good point... next time I'll up the rpms and see if it continues. Maybe my clutch huh...?

Btw, I'm used to real slick streets in Vegas where it doesn't rain often so it feels like oil spots on the road.

 

[DocG]

Could be spinning, mine will spin a little sometimes, without making a squeak...even when dry. I'm just guessing on the clutch, but if its happening when you're just starting out, sounds like its more when the clutch is engaging than anything with the tranny itself. But again....I'm far from being the smartest wrench on this board.

 

[Mike97gt]

one way to test if the clutch is slipping is find a hill and go up the hill in 4th gear at low rpm's ( under 1400) and give it gas. if the rpm's climb and the car does not increase speed. or if the speed is not increaseing as it should and you feel sliping then your clutch is blown.

 

[imblown-ru]

sounds like clutch to me...most people can tell when their tires are spinning on dry surfaces. your speed will climb drastically when tires are spinning, so watch for that. i would bet that your clutch is starting to go, i would do what svttech said, and if he says to lick your tire, lick your tire. it will probably fix it if he says so.

 

[MaxedGT]

one way to test if the clutch is slipping is find a hill and go up the hill in 4th gear at low rpm's ( under 1400) and give it gas. if the rpm's climb and the car does not increase speed. or if the speed is not increaseing as it should and you feel sliping then your clutch is blown.

I was going to suggest the same thing.
The clutch if it's slipping will slip in higher gears first.

 

[HoustonGT]

Does this happen when its cold outside or what? Cuz if it does, it could be the tires. When its chilly out, my tires spin so damn easily and occassionaly on accident. Check your clutch by putting the engine under load in 4th or 5th gear in low rpm's

 

[merc123]

I remember someone telling me to put it in 5th while sitting still and let the clutch out. They said if it doesn't die then it's the clutch slipping.

 

[speedfreak98r]

My 98 GT is doing the same thing; Also, when I floor it and the tires hook up, it seems to kinda jerk, or bump.

 

[GDawg]

...i would do what svttech said, and if he says to lick your tire, lick your tire. it will probably fix it if he says so.

Okay I licked my tire but then I saw that svttech didn't say so... so I just drank another beer and all is good...

I actually stalled my car today. Sitting at a light in first I let the idle drop too much and had a load on the clutch... what an idiot I am, I can't believe I stalled. That's the first time since I bought it 7 years ago... It was quiet and smooth. I almost didn't realize my engine died. Maybe my clutch is going out though. I beat it to death.

So far, great responses. Thanks guys!

:SNSign:

 

[Mike97gt]

Okay I licked my tire but then I saw that svttech didn't say so... so I just drank another beer and all is good...

I actually stalled my car today. Sitting at a light in first I let the idle drop too much and had a load on the clutch... what an idiot I am, I can't believe I stalled. That's the first time since I bought it 7 years ago... It was quiet and smooth. I almost didn't realize my engine died. Maybe my clutch is going out though. I beat it to death.

So far, great responses. Thanks guys!

:SNSign:

LOL the tire licking did not fix it.

 

[hotmustang331]

Well im going to say that your tires are spinning.

And I would try higher than 1400RPM, try closing in on the torque peak more, as that will put more "load" on the clutch. I know my car wouldnt do much of anything anyways @ 1400 in 4th gear UP HILL lol.

You could also try going 30MPH in 4th gear and push in the clutch and rev to 3000 and basically dump the clutch. See if the RPMs INSTANTLY drop back. I know thats not the best thing to do but if it makes you feel better haha. I have done it before in another stang checking the clutch (thought it was slipping) ...but it was fine.