Transmission Issue possibly?

Tiny
ASHLEIGHJ990
  • MEMBER
  • 2009 NISSAN MAXIMA
  • 3.5L
  • V6
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 171,000 MILES
I was driving down a hill yesterday and the RMPs jumped up to 3 and stayed there until I got to the bottom of the hill. The car also made like a loud roaring noise that also stayed until I got to the bottom of the hill. This is the first time my car has ever done this, and I go down this hill every day. Is this a sign that my transmission is going bad? I just got the fluid replaced about 3 months ago.
Wednesday, June 25th, 2025 AT 10:19 AM

8 Replies

Tiny
ASHLEIGHJ990
  • MEMBER
  • 7 POSTS
I checked the fluid this morning, and it smells and looks normal. The car drove normally on my way to work this morning. It did kind of hesitant going up the hill though.
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Wednesday, June 25th, 2025 AT 10:21 AM
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 52,298 POSTS
Yep, going up a hill is a sign the transmission is going bad, can I ask if you have a check engine light on? If so, we should run the codes to see which ones are stored which can give us a clue on the problem, here is a guide to help you:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/checking-a-service-engine-soon-or-check-engine-light-on-or-flashing

Let us know what you find.
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Wednesday, June 25th, 2025 AT 6:52 PM
Tiny
ASHLEIGHJ990
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  • 7 POSTS
No codes are showing up on the dashboard at all.
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Thursday, June 26th, 2025 AT 7:16 AM
Tiny
KEN L
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Yep, it sounds like the CVT belt inside the transmission is slipping. The "loud roaring noise" is that coming from the transmission or engine? I would take it to a transmission shop to confirm it.
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Thursday, June 26th, 2025 AT 9:16 AM
Tiny
ASHLEIGHJ990
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  • 7 POSTS
If this just started happening, how long do you think I have before it goes out completely? I don't think I will be fixing it due to how many miles on are the car.
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Thursday, June 26th, 2025 AT 10:21 AM
Tiny
KEN L
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It depends on the condition of the car; it will cost about $2,200 for a rebuilt transmission. I don't know how long it will last; it can give out completely at any time.
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Thursday, June 26th, 2025 AT 4:45 PM
Tiny
ASHLEIGHJ990
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  • 7 POSTS
One last question, if I put some of that transmission stop slip stuff in it, will it help buy me some time?
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Friday, June 27th, 2025 AT 5:02 AM
Tiny
KEN L
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I don't think so, the problem is the when the main belt goes out (metal) there is nothing you can do, the transmission treatment you speak of is for clutch or drum material which will not help in your case, sorry.
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Friday, June 27th, 2025 AT 10:04 AM

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