I have noticed that when ever my car shifts (auto trans) into it's final gear with overdrive turned off, there is a very faint *psst* sound as the transmission is shifting (not before, not after, but during), it lasts probably less than 1/2 a second.

I only notice the sound when I'm in the mountains, but I think that's because there is a wall of rocks right next to the car that bounces the sound so that I can hear it. It's quite faint, but I'm able to reproduce the sound every time the transmission shifts into it's final gear with the O/D off. (would that be 5th gear? I'm not quite sure) it might happen when O/D is on and shifting to the final gear, but I can't quite tell.

Any idea what this might be? I haven't noticed any leaks or anything, and haven't noticed any other oddities in it's performance or other sounds. So, since it's always been like this I'm just kind of assuming that it's some sort of fluid release within the transmission. Any thoughts?

 

final gear without overdrive on is 4th gear, our trans are oriented 1st, 2nd, 3rd, Drive (4th), Overdrive (5th) to complete all 5 gearsand go to ford or do it yourself and check your trans fluid, maybe you are running low or need a change

 

I didn't even think about it possibly being low on fluid. I see our cars dont' have transmission dipsticks (eh? lol) I suppose I should take it in and have the dealer give the fluid level a check. How the heck do they do that with out a dipstick? I'd guess they just change the fluid, cause it would have to be drained to check?

 

auto's done typically have a dipstick.

you can pull the fill plug, stick your finger in and make sure it's level with the bottom of the hole or just change it out.

if under warrenty, just take it to the dealer.

 

better to take it to the dealer, i think it was stupid of ford not to add a dipstick for the auto i mean they did it for the manuel why not us auto guys