Mar 17, 2023
A grayscale image of a man working under the hood of a vehicle

Image via Bentley Nashville.

Bentleys have a reliable eight-speed dual-clutch transmission that should last as long as your car. With such a high-performance vehicle, it would be a tragedy to allow your transmission to deteriorate, reducing its lifespan. In addition to regular maintenance visits, keep an eye out for the following five transmission problems. And don’t hesitate to visit your local Bentley dealer for prompt transmission repair at the first sign of trouble.

Grinding Noises

Bentleys are famous for combining incredible comfort with nimble, sporty responsiveness. A big part of both qualities is the silky smooth ease with which they shift gears. Shifting gears should always be easy and silent in a Bentley.

If you ever hear grinding sounds, then mechanical parts are struggling against each other inside your gearbox. This might be due to low transmission fluid, and whatever the cause, it’s very unhealthy. Have a technician take a look without delay.

Humming Sounds

The last Bentley to come with a stick shift option was the iconic 1954 Bentley R-Type Continental. Since then, all modern Bentleys have had automatic shifts, which can sometimes emit a strange humming or whining sound if they ever develop problems.

Rounded-out gears might be causing this humming noise. Alternatively, it could be inadequate levels of transmission fluid once again, or a worn reverse idler, worn down bearings, or something else altogether.

Sticking Gears

When your gearbox is experiencing serious problems, you might find your gears sticking and refusing to shift. The early warning signs of this might be a slight feeling of hesitancy or delay in your shifting. It’s unwise to continue driving with sticking gears, as your transmission could rapidly overheat and seize up.

Slipping Gears

Another worrying indication of serious transmission issues is slipping gears. This might occur because of a faulty torque converter, worn gear teeth, low fluid, or something else.

With slipping gears, at first, your car might suddenly rev loudly when you shift as your gears fail to engage properly. Later on, you might find your gears suddenly changing on their own or popping into neutral. Needless to say, this is dangerous when on the road.

Leaking Fluid

As you can probably see, most transmission problems involve the transmission fluid. If your fluid ages or becomes too thick and dirty, it will lose its essential function as a lubricant.

Leaking transmission fluid will cause the most damage of all if the leak isn’t quickly found and fixed. Transmission fluid is a light or dark reddish color. So keep an eye out for signs of a red fluid dripping under your car.

Flush Fluid Twice a Year at Your Local Bentley Dealer

To keep your Bentley in tip-top condition, always keep your transmission fluid fresh. Have it flushed at your local dealership every two years or every 30,000 miles, whichever comes first.

Visit Bentley Nashville in Brentwood today to have your transmission inspected and repaired by technicians who specialize in Bentley vehicles. Our courteous, knowledgeable staff provide excellent customer service in line with the quality of our vehicles.