Shift Flare

[Piotr01234]

To begin, this is an automatic transmission. I have been having a small shift flare when the car shifts up from 2 to 3 and it is about 200rpm. This is only when I accelerate. This happens when I get off the highway when there is a lot of traffic on it. It is not rough but my head does move forward and back a little when it happens. It does not happen when I start the car and drive it. The car is a little less than 65k miles on it and the transmission fluid has not been changed (will be changing it soon). Does anyone know why this is might be happening? Any possible solutions? (I am not looking for a reply that says "This is normal")

I have posted a video on YouTube. Here is the link.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KD-UAbtQQ9s

 

[Maddmatts]

The most likely cause is low transmission fluid. Keep an eye out for any red/brownish fluid clinging to the bottom of the powertrain.

The early 6T40's (only on the 1.4T engines) had some leaky torque-convertor shaft seals and are covered by the powertrain warranty.

 

[Papasonic]

Don't drive it any more than necessary until this is sorted out. The clutches in the transmission are probably slipping due to a lack of control pressure. They can be destroyed very quickly if not corrected. As mentioned above; may be due to low fluid level.

 

[JTee2017]

The 6T30 is a small transmission. From what I have seen and what others have experienced, it would be best to change the transmission fluid every 30K to 40K miles. In just that amount of time it can be pretty black . . . not burnt, but on it's way to less than optimum condition.

Change it now. . . . easy job. Look for Youtube videos on how to do a 3 time drain and fill, driving after each drain/fill for a few days to a week. Repeat.
You will drain about 5.3 to 5.4 quarts of fluid out each time you drain it. You will need to buy about 17 quarts of fluid. IT is cheaper than having a shop do it by performing yourself.

 

[Piotr01234]

Thank you to all.
The problem seems to have been a low fluid level. For some reason, the drain plug backed out and it was leaking around it. I had enough force to get it unscrewed with my bare hands. The difference between what I took out and the amount that was put in (excluding the amount that spilled out) was a little more than half a quart. The fluid was a solid glossy black color but did not smell burnt. Once I was done, I took it for a drive to see if it would do it again. After about 150 miles with 60% of it on highways, I gave up. The shift flare seems to be gone but I am going to keeping an eye on it.