Q: Car barely moves or takes a few minutes to get moving when first start?

asked by on January 18, 2018

Upon starting the car, if I try throwing it in reverse or drive, it will groan and barely inch forward. The trans fluid is not low, and it is not dirty.

Also, I can move the shift from reverse to drive, and D1, D2, without pressing the brakes... sign of slipping transmission? Or is that normal for this car?

My car has 178000 miles.

A clogged fluid filter or failed oil pump can cause no movement in any gear. Other potential causes are a broken input shaft, broken drive chain or sprockets, broken output shaft, broken oil pump shaft, stripped torque converter splines, broken input clutch drum shaft, broken band, faulty valve body, major internal hydraulic leak, broken axle or CV joint, or badly damaged gear train or differential. To get a conclusive diagnostic, the recommended service is a no movement in any gear diagnostic. If you request that service, the responding certified mechanic will pinpoint the fault and then explain your repair options, right at your location. With regard to the shift interlock, on your vehicle the shift interlock only applies to "Park". That is, to move out of park, you have to brake. Once you are in any gear, you can select different gears without braking. If you have further questions or concerns, do not hesitate to re-contact YourMechanic because we want you to make the most of your repair dollars and help you to get the best possible results.

The statements expressed above are only for informational purposes and should be independently verified. Please see our terms of service for more details

Get an instant quote for your car

Our certified mechanics come to you ・Backed by 12-month, 12,000-mile guarantee・Fair and transparent pricing


Experienced Mechanic?

Earn up to $70/hr

What others are asking

What Is Included in an Engine Inspection?
Engine inspections are an integral part of any engine repair or diagnostics visit. They can also be a separate visit to get a general condition of an engine, like in a pre-purchase inspection (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/pre-purchase-car-inspection) or a safety check inspection (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/75-point-safety-inspection)....
My car rpm fluctuates slightly, during warm up and my temperature gauge also fluctuates intermittently.
Hi, thanks for writing in. My first impression when you described the vibration is that you may have a bad motor mount. When you put the car in Drive or Reverse, the engine shifts slightly. If the rubber in the...
How to get rust off of my project car?
Hey there. This is one of the toughest decisions in starting a classic car restoration project (https://www.yourmechanic.com/article/-a-mechanic-s-guide-to-restoring-classic-cars-by-maddy-martin). Rust is relentless. The absolute "best way" to deal with rust (https://www.yourmechanic.com/article/how-to-protect-your-car-from-rust-by-cheryl-knight) is to disassemble the car, have it media blasted, or acid-dipped,...
Key is stuck in ignition so i think its causing the battery to keep going dead
Hello there, many common faults will cause your key to become stuck in the ignition in your 2006 Chevrolet Aveo. When the key is in the ignition and turned this puts the vehicle into the on mode, which will drain...
About my brakes
If one of your brakes has made a squealing sound, it is likely that your wear indicators are hitting the brake rotor. Unfortunately, there is not much you can do to resolve this issue other than having the brakes replaced....
The odometer won't increase or change, it is frozen on 30k miles.
Check the vehicle speed sensor (VSS) on the transmission and see if its unplugged. If the wire is plugged in, then either the VSS is not working or the speedometer gauge is broken. If you need further assistance with your...
The front passenger door will not unlock or open. How can I fix this? What part do I need? 2002 Ford Escape
Hi there - this sounds like the door lock actuator (https://www.yourmechanic.com/article/symptoms-of-a-bad-or-failing-door-lock-actuator) has failed. This a common failure over the years, especially with high-use doors like the front ones. I recommend a car door lock actuator replacement (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/door-lock-actuator-replacement) performed by a...
My 01 MDX loses power while driving at any given point, trying to step on gas does not work. When i pull over and shut off engine
Hi there. Since there are a variety of issues that can cause a loss of power, it is vital to narrow down the issue to a particular system. Based on hat you've described, I would assume that the primary system...
The temperate gauge indicates overheating in stop/go traffic and has stalled a few times when idle. Oil is low could this be it?
The first thing to do is to make sure the oil and coolant are filled up to prevent any engine damage. The problem may be caused by low oil but only if engine is oreal low on oil. The coolant...

Related articles

A Buyer’s Guide to the 2012 Jeep Wrangler
With With some subtle updates, improvements, and increases in size, the 2012 Jeep Wrangler maintains the model’s familiar and rugged look and feel. While the style of the Wrangler may not have changed much, though, its function has definitely been...
The Best Used Cars to Buy If You Live in a Cold Climate
If If you live in a cold climate, likely one of your biggest concerns when you are considering which used vehicle you should buy is how well it will perform in snowy, icy conditions. We have evaluated a number of...
How to Get Jeep Dealership Certified
Jeep car dealerships offer automotive technician jobs to mechanics who are Jeep certified through Chrysler’s official training program (MCAP)