Not being able to put your vehicle into gear might send a surge of panic throughout your body. It's pretty hard to get where you need to go when you can't even put your vehicle into first gear. There can be several reasons why this is happening. If you are having this issue with the Hyundai Veloster, we can help. We researched this popular vehicle from multiple reliable sources so that you can have a definitive answer.
There are four common reasons why you might not be able to get your Hyundai Veloster into gear. They are as follows:
- Too much pressure on the park pawl
- Low transmission fluid
- Failing clutch
- Failing transmission
Now that we know the most likely reasons your Hyundai Veloster won't go into gear, we'll look at each cause in more detail. You might also be wondering if the Veloster is known to have transmission problems or if this vehicle is available in an automatic. Are Hyundai Velosters expensive to repair? How many miles can you expect the Veloster to last?
For the answers to these questions and more, read ahead in this post to see what we've uncovered with our research.
Determining which Possibility is the Cause for Hyundai Veloster Not Going into Gear
Some of the causes we listed above can be easy to remedy. But others will require a trusted mechanic and some money coming out of your pocketbook. But before you make the call to get your Hyundai Veloster in for service, let's take a closer look at each of the possible reasons why you might not be able to get it into gear.
Too much pressure on the park pawl
The park pawl keeps your transmission locked so that the vehicle won't roll. But sometimes, there can be too much pressure on this part, making it difficult or impossible to shift the transmission into gear. The most common reason for this by far is being parked on a steep hill.
This situation is pretty easy to fix, however. Allow the car to roll for a bit. If too much pressure on the park pawl is the reason you couldn't get it into gear, this should remedy it.
Low transmission fluid
Transmissions rely on fluids to keep running smoothly. This vital fluid keeps the parts from wearing out. Transmission fluid also acts as a form of coolant so that the gears don't get too hot.
If your Hyundai Veloster has low transmission fluid, there might not be enough pressure to allow for your transmission to pop into gear.
So if you aren't able to find a gear, or if you are driving and are struggling to shift into a higher or lower gear, you might have low transmission fluid. Pop your hood and check to see if your fluid is at the proper level. If it's not, then you've probably discovered the issue.
Keep in mind that transmission fluids should be routinely checked. Operating any vehicle with low transmission fluid will damage this expensive but vital part of your car. Older transmissions need to be paid particular attention to, as they might be burning the fluid. Leaks should also be checked for if you find yourself always running low on the fluid.
Failing clutch
Of the two remaining causes of gear shifting failure, a failing clutch will be the least expensive. If your fluid levels are adequate and your Veloster isn't on an incline, the issue could be with your clutch.
A clutch is directly connected to the engine and the transmission. Without a properly working clutch, you won't be able to shift gears.
When the parts of a clutch begin to wear, they can't handle the pressure from the engine when you press it in to shift. You will probably notice the clutch beginning to fail if you've experienced difficulty shifting into higher gears.
Clutches in the Veloster are known to fail for several reasons. The most common causes are:
- A worn clutch disc
- Faulty flywheel
- Oil or grease on the clutch disc, due to leaks from the engine or transmission
- Overheated clutch disc
A clutch that starts to slip will only get worse. You should be able to tell that the clutch is beginning to burn up by both the slipping of the RPMs and the sulfuric odor that a burning clutch will emit.
If it's slipping now, you should get it looked at by a mechanic as soon as possible. If you've noticed it slipping lately, and now it won't go into gear at all, you've more than likely identified a failed clutch as the reason.
Failing transmission
The most costly reason for your Veloster not going into gear is a failed transmission. You might have noticed a grinding sound from the gearbox. Or maybe you've had your shifter jump back into neutral after you have shifted up or down.
No matter what, you need a transmission to continue driving your Veloster. If the above three causes are not why you have trouble shifting, you will need a mechanic to inspect your transmission. Some can be reconfigured, while others will need to be replaced with a brand new one.
How do you put a Veloster in reverse?
If you are driving the manual Veloster, you will need to press in on the clutch first. Then, move the shifter knob all the way over to the left and immediately up. This is the "R" position that is on the shifter knob.
In the eight-speed dual-clutch transmission models, you merely need to move your shifter into "R" and move it back into drive or park when you are done reversing.
Do Hyundai Velosters have transmission problems?
While Hyundai has had its share of consumer complaints with the Veloster, the transmission under its hood has not been widely reported as faulty. Several issues with the engine, including pinging sounds, have been the primary concerns set forth by Veloster owners. The most complained about part has been faulty speakers in the cabin.
Does the Veloster N come in automatic?
In 2020, Hyundai announced that the Veloster N would be produced with an eight-speed dual-clutch transmission. This is an option, as it comes standard with a manual transmission.
Dual-clutch transmissions are a different animal altogether. They still require a clutch for shifting gears, but this is all done by the onboard computer. This transmission type is still billed as a manual transmission by some automakers, but since it requires no shifting from the driver, it also fits the definition of an automatic.
Are Hyundai Velosters expensive to repair?
Car Edge reports that the Hyundai Veloster will cost an average of $5,597 worth of repairs and maintenance during the first ten years of its life. When you compare the Veloster to other vehicles in its class, the overall repair and maintenance costs are nearly $1,000 less during the same timeframe.
Car Edge continues to state that there is only a 16.72% chance that the Veloster will need to undergo a major repair in this period of time. The average for its class is 21.42%.
How many miles do Hyundai Velosters last?
This model from Hyundai should last the consumer upwards of 200,000 miles on the road. Given that the average U.S. vehicle owner drives about 15,000 miles per year, you can expect the Veloster to last around 13 years.
Keep in mind that getting your Veloster to this average mileage milestone will require some effort on your part. To keep your Veloster on the road as long as possible, you'll want to make certain that you do the following:
Keep with a routine maintenance schedule
Of all things you can do to keep your Veloster on the road, abiding by the manufacturer's routine maintenance guidelines is the most critical. This will include set intervals for oil and oil filter changes, suspension system inspections, tire rotations, and a good number of other important items.
These will be listed in detail in your Veloster owner's manual. Should you have misplaced it, consult your dealer.
Drive with care
Avoid as much stop-and-go driving as possible. Don't mash down on the accelerator or the brakes. Keep from overloading it. Treat your Veloster gently and with respect, and it will last a lot longer.
Don't ignore signs of mechanical problems
Your Veloster won't just fail when it is getting maintained. There are tell-tale signs of many of your Veloster's parts beginning to falter. Odd noises, vibrations that weren't noticed before, and noxious odors are sure signs that you need to get your Veloster in for a checkup. Getting issues fixed at the first signs of trouble can mean staving off more expensive problems.
In closing
The Hyundai Veloster is a reliable, compact hatchback capable of exceeding 200,000 miles of road life. Should you have any shifting issues with this vehicle, there are four likely causes. Keeping with routine maintenance and inspections will help prevent these issues from occurring, however. As with any model vehicle, take care of it, and it will take care of you. Drive safe!
If you found this post on the Hyundai Veloster to be informative, we believe that you'll enjoy reading the following automotive posts:
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I’ve spent too much on veloster.