Cutlass bursts into reverse but lurches into drive.

Asked by indigo1384 Jun 22, 2015 at 04:45 AM about the 1997 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme 4 Dr SL Sedan

Question type: Maintenance & Repair

I recently bought a used 97 cutlass
supreme with a lot of small problems.
So far the engine And transmission
are fine (its column gear shift though
which I hate with a passion) though it
needs a battery mount and a window
fix on the passenger side. My problem
is when I shift into drive my car
doesn't move forward as fast as it
should. I have to literally put the pedal
to the metal to get her to put on
speed. In reverse though she
explodes to life. I can just barely
touch the gas and be thrown
backwards. Any ideas?

3 Answers

65,590

First I would check to see if your transmission needs a filter and fluid change. As long as it shifts to all the gears right now you may be able to save it. The trans fluid should have a red color to it if it looks brown its burnt needs to be changed.

1 people found this helpful.
18,715

I'm not sure how a transmission that won't move your car properly can be considered "just fine". That said, save your money. Additives are not going to fix your transmission. As firebird said, check that there is enough fluid in the transmission. If not, fill it with the cheapest transmission fluid available that meets the spec for your car and see what happens. If it starts working properly drive it for a bit to make sure and then service the transmission with fluid and a fresh filter. If filling it up doesn't make the problems go away take it to a reputable transmission shop for a diagnosis. Hope you didn't pay too much for the car. Sounds like it might be a money pit, so be careful.

Your Answer:

Cutlass Supreme

Looking for a Used Cutlass Supreme in your area?

CarGurus has 5 nationwide Cutlass Supreme listings and the tools to find you a great deal.

Postal Code:

CarGurus Experts

  • #1
    munron
    Reputation
    1,410
  • #2
    Rowefast
    Reputation
    620
  • #3
    Gene Arnett
    Reputation
    610
View All

Find great deals from top-rated dealers

Search

Related Models For Sale

Used Chevrolet Corvette
27 Great Deals out of 1,082 listings starting at $15,000
Used Chevrolet Monte Carlo
5 listings starting at $9,449
Used Buick Regal
3 Great Deals out of 39 listings starting at $4,991
Used Ford Mustang
58 Great Deals out of 1,366 listings starting at $4,995
Used Chevrolet Camaro
20 Great Deals out of 281 listings starting at $7,995
Used Pontiac Firebird
14 listings

Content submitted by Users is not endorsed by CarGurus, does not express the opinions of CarGurus, and should not be considered reviewed, screened, or approved by CarGurus. Please refer to CarGurus Terms of Use. Content will be removed if CarGurus becomes aware that it violates our policies.