5 things you shouldn't do with an automatic transmission

Automatic transmissions in modern cars are susceptible to careless operation and can easily be damaged during operation.

The article will be useful for owners of cars with automatic transmission.

First

It is advisable not to shift from position “D” to the starting position of movement. Many drivers make the mistake of driving like this, accustomed to the fact that with a manual transmission you can shift the gear to “neutral”, saving fuel, but this method will not work with an automatic transmission. Just switching from mode “D” to mode “N” does not bode well in the event of a complete stop of the car after switching.

Shifting from neutral to drive will be accompanied by a slight push because the automatic transmission needs to equalize the speeds of the input and output shafts and therefore synchronize the speeds. Not recommended towing a car with an automatic transmission. In terms of safety, switching to neutral mode increases the risk of creating an emergency situation. The technical capabilities of Roadside assistance Sofia allow you to tow a car of any model, load capacity and damage.

Second

Wait until the car has come to a complete stop before engaging reverse gear and vice versa. When switching from “D” mode to “R” mode (reverse gear), part of the clutches is compressed by the brake mechanism, and the other part is released. Thus, during incomplete braking, shifting to reverse gear predisposes to damage to the brake mechanism inside the automatic transmission. Wait until the car has come to a complete stop, because worn brake pads are easier and cheaper to replace than removing and disassembling the automatic transmission with the attendant expensive repair.

Third

Manual start-up. Lovers of sharp starts from medium speeds and slip engage the gear in Drive mode and, while pressing the brake pedal, simultaneously press the gas pedal. If you do this carefully, which is extremely rare, and do not spin in a circle, then you will not impose special time on the automatic transmission, because the torque converter allows this. The second way to start is to switch to the “neutral” position and, by turning the engine, switch to “Drive” mode. This is the fastest way to damage the automatic transmission, in which case you will have to replace the gas turbine engine and the entire package of friction linings.

Fourth

Constantly switching from “Drive” to “Neutral” and back, in traffic jams. Drivers explain that the engine speed is slightly higher in neutral, supposedly saving fuel. In fact, you do not save fuel at all. Effective fuel economy – moderate and calm driving without sharp acceleration and braking. Frequent switching between “D” and “N” in traffic is a sure way to quickly wear out the clutch. When creating an automatic transmission, engineers initially rely on the fact that the car can stand for a long time with the gear selector in “drive” mode.

Fifth

It is absolutely impossible to put the gear lever in the “Park” position until the car has completely stopped. The most dangerous thing is to put the gear lever in the “Park” position without completely stopping the car. This is due to the fact that for the “P” mode there is a special star and a hook with a spring mechanism. When you switch to the “P” position, the hook is caught between the teeth of the gear wheel, thus acting as a braking device. If you put the selector in the parking mode while driving, then the brake hook will break, and this will lead to expensive repairs. Do not forget that in the uphill or downhill parking mode you must apply the handbrake, since the mechanism in the automatic transmission does not provide for such a function to hold the car under load.

How to extend the life of an automatic transmission?

An automatic transmission is expensive and requires careful handling. In addition to the above five things you shouldn't do with an automatic transmission, I'll give you a few tips to prolong its trouble-free operation.

Learn how to properly warm up an automatic transmission. The fact is that the oil in the transmission cannot heat up at the same rate as the engine, so the automatic transmission often operates with cold oil. To ensure stable operation of the transmission, it is necessary to run the transmission in each mode for one minute after 5 minutes, and so on up to several times, depending on the season.

Do not rush to switch to the “Sport” mode. This mode is available on many gearboxes, which allows you to shift later and no higher than 3 steps. It is needed for quick acceleration. Long driving in this mode contributes to overheating of the automatic transmission. Therefore, it is necessary to use the “Sport” mode only in certain cases.

Conclusions

Modern cars with automatic transmissions can last a long time if you use all the recommendations and take into account typical mistakes while driving. Remember that if you save time and money at the expense of the automatic transmission, you are subject to early, expensive repairs with all the consequences.