Hello!

I am currently driving a 2014 Mazda 3 GX. I have been experiencing what seems to be transmission slips when I first start driving the car at the beginning of the day. I place the shifter in "Drive" and it suddenly goes Neutral. Once the car has warmed up, I can stop, place the shifter in Drive again and it won't go back in neutral. Only when I first start the car in the morning.

This led me to believe that the transmission needed some oil. (which is possibly the case).

I have opened the hood this morning to see where I could see the transmission oil gauge, and I noticed what you see in the picture below. This is directly behind the engine. Yes, you are seeing this right; the hinges that used to be bolted in that metal piece is now tangling in two 1 inch wide rust eaten holes.

Here is my question: what is that part and is it critical to be repaired? Is it supposed to be tightly closed shut? Because right now, dust, water and all sorts of debris can potentially wind up inside there...

Please help! (is this a "I better run to a dealer and trade-in this car right away" situation) ? 😅

 

That is the heat shield, bolted on top of the exhaust manifold.

Nothing is affected by the corrosion. It may start rattling, being loose.

I can't see any connection to your transmission problems.