Automatic transmission is undoubtedly one of the greatest inventions in the automotive industry. A car with an automatic transmission has opened a new era for car owners due to the safety it provides. This type of car is preferred not only by professional drivers but also by people with basic driving skills. However, can this greatest invention provide complete safety for its driver? Unfortunately, it is not.
Despite the fact that a car with an automatic transmission has amazing safety, there are some things you should avoid at all costs while driving your car. Here is a list of these 7 mistakes that can damage your car and make you shell out for expensive repairs.
Driving the car downhill in neutral or shifting into neutral while driving
This is a very common mistake when driving a car with an automatic transmission. It will not help you speed up the car. It reduces the oil supply, so the gearbox does not get the proper lubrication to operate smoothly. This leads to significant wear and damage. For this reason, we recommend giving up this habit, since the cost of repairing the transmission is not worth the small fuel savings.
Velocing the gas before shifting into gear
We all did it when we were teenagers. But let’s not be so stupid, because now it will not be our parents who will pay for the repairs, but ourselves this time! This has a great negative impact on the box, which leads to a significant increase in friction between the internal components, causing damage to parts of the engine mechanism.
Shifting gears while the car is moving
This wears out the components very much, erasing the gearbox at an amazing rate and can lead to serious damage to the automatic transmission. Do not move the handle to the P and R positions. Only after the car has completely stopped can you switch to these positions.
Putting it in neutral at a red traffic light
Many people do this to save fuel and protect the box from unnecessary wear. In fact, the loss of fuel is minimal, use the brake pedal while keeping the gearbox in D mode. The actual damage occurs when you shift into and out of neutral.
Shifting into Park mode before the car has come to a complete stop
Shifting into Park mode will cause the locking pin to be inserted into the gear attached to the output shaft of the gearbox. The wheels are also connected to the same shaft. So when you lock it and at the same time your car rolls in neutral, there is a risk of breaking the locking pin.
Driving without pre-warming the engine
This is a mistake, especially in the winter season. When the weather is cold, the oil is thick and moves slowly. Give the fuel a minute to get into the gearbox and all its parts. If you shift into gear and start driving at high speed from the start, it will cause serious internal damage.
Driving with Low Fuel and Oil Levels
A car with an automatic transmission relies heavily on fluid pressure to continue to operate normally. Oil also helps the engine and other parts stay cool and lubricated. So, parts will wear out much faster if you constantly keep the fluid level low in the reservoir. For example, frequent driving on an empty tank can prematurely destroy the catalytic converter in the exhaust system and the fuel pump.
How to Drive a Car with an Automatic Transmission
To avoid making mistakes when driving a car with an automatic transmission, first, you need to know how to drive it. Even though all four-wheeled vehicles work the same, there are some differences that car owners should be aware of:
Footwork
Like driving any car, you need to understand how to use your feet to better control the car. However, automatic models do not have a clutch pedal, only a brake and gas pedal. So driving a car with an automatic transmission is quite simple: you will only use your right foot to control the two pedals, while your left foot will remain at rest at all times.
Starting the Engine of a Car with an Automatic Transmission
When starting a car with an automatic transmission, you need to remember! When the engine is off, the lever should be in the letter P. And to start the engine, car owners can press the brake pedal and use the ignition key. Do not forget to shift the gear to D and release the brake. After these movements, the car will start moving.
Stopping
Last but not least, to ensure a perfect stop when using a car with an automatic transmission, you need to press the brake pedal together with the gear shift to P. After that, use the ignition key to turn off the engine and headlights.
Conclusion
Of course, experts have known all this for a long time, but not every driver is an expert in the structure of his car. Avoiding these mistakes is no more difficult than changing some habits. Correct driving will extend the life of your car with an automatic transmission, ensure your safety on the road and save you a lot of money on car maintenance.
REMEMBER: You can always contact our car service, where your car will be gladly provided with professional technical assistance. You can also sign up for a scheduled technical inspection with us! Please familiarize yourself with our services for car repair and diagnostics.
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Car service WEBER-AUTO
194044, St. Petersburg
Neyshlotskiy pereulok, house 5, building 3
District: Vyborgsky
Metro: Vyborgskaya – 800 m.
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Seven days a week, from 9:00 to 21:00.
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sto@veberauto.ru
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8 (812) 321-00-00
