Those "pits" of automatic shift operation
Whenever we drive on the road, we want to be able to get to our destination safely and smoothly. Many drivers do not understand the operation specifications of automatic transmission cars, especially on the issue of whether they need to step on the brakes when changing gears, there are great doubts and misunderstandings.
As we all know, automatic transmission cars are easier and more convenient to operate than manual transmissions. Simply shift the gear to D and the shift will be done automatically, eliminating the need to manually operate the clutch and shift lever. But that doesn't mean that automatic cars can be "self-flowing".
Many drivers will have some wrong operating habits when driving automatic transmission cars. For example, when starting without applying the brakes, you can change from P to D without applying the brakes, when the vehicle is parked without fully stopping and change to P gear, or when reversing without applying the brakes, you can directly change from D to R gear. These practices may seem "trouble-free", but in fact there are great security risks.
If you change from P or N gear to D gear without applying the brakes when starting, the vehicle is likely to accelerate suddenly or even lose control due to the automatic transmission being in working condition, which brings great risks to driving safety. To make matters worse, this practice can also damage the gearbox, leading to increased repair costs.
Similarly, if the vehicle shifts to P gear without fully coming to a stop when parking, or shifts to R gear without stopping while reversing, there is a risk of shock and damage to the transmission. The correct way to do this is to stop the car completely first, and then press the brakes to shift to the corresponding gear.
Automatic transmission vehicles also need to be operated manually when going uphill and downhill
In addition to the need for correct operation when starting, stopping and reversing, in some special road conditions, automatic transmission vehicles also need the driver to manually control the gear, otherwise there may be potential safety hazards.
For example, when going up a steep hill, if you only stay in high D gear, the engine may "slip" violently and not get enough power to overcome the slope. In this case, the driver needs to manually lower the gear to D3 or lower to get more power torque and ensure that the vehicle has enough power to get through the steep slopes.
Similarly, if you stay in high D gear when descending steep hills, the engine will not be able to brake enough, and the speed may spiral out of control. The driver needs to manually lower the gear and use the braking force of the engine to control the speed and ensure driving safety.
It can be seen that although the operation of automatic transmission cars is easier than that of manual transmission, it does not mean that the driver can completely "let it go". On the contrary, in some special road conditions, the driver still needs to manually control the gear to ensure the vehicle's power and braking performance and avoid dangerous situations.
Another common misconception is that many drivers frequently switch back and forth between different D gears while driving, such as from D4 to D3 and from D3 back to D4. They thought it would improve the vehicle's dynamic response, but in reality it was completely unnecessary and would put additional load and wear on the gearbox.
As long as the vehicle is already in motion, there is no need to apply the brakes at all to change from one D gear to another. The automatic transmission automatically determines when to change gears based on factors such as vehicle speed and throttle opening, without the need for driver intervention. On the contrary, frequent manual switching of D gear will disrupt the normal working logic of the gearbox and increase wear.
Proper use of automatic transmissions for safe driving starts here
From the above, we can see that although the operation of automatic transmission cars is easier than manual transmission, it does not mean that it can be completely "laissez-faire". On the contrary, the driver still needs to operate correctly in many cases, otherwise it may bring hidden dangers to driving safety and even damage the gearbox.
When starting, stopping, and reversing, be sure to follow the correct steps. When starting, first step on the brake, shift the gear from P or N to D, and then slowly step on the accelerator and release the brake; When stopping, first stop the car completely, and then press the brakes to shift to P gear; When reversing, you also need to stop and apply the brakes before shifting to R gear.
In special road conditions such as going up or down a steep slope, the gear should be lowered manually to obtain better power or braking power. You can go downhill to D3 or lower on uphill slopes and downshift with engine braking.
There is no need to switch between different D gears frequently during driving, and the automatic transmission will automatically determine the appropriate gear. Frequent manual switching of D gear is not necessary, but rather increases the wear and tear of the gearbox.
In some extreme situations of automatic transmission cars, the driver also needs to deal with it correctly. For example, when emergency braking is required in an emergency, you should first step on the brakes to stop the car, and then turn the gear to P gear, instead of directly dialing it from D gear to P gear at once, so as not to cause impact on the gearbox.
The correct use of automatic transmission cars requires the driver to have a comprehensive understanding and mastery of the operating specifications. Only in this way can the convenience of automatic transmission be maximized, and at the same time, it can also ensure driving safety and avoid damage to the transmission caused by improper operation.
Some veteran drivers may feel that these operational details are too basic, but in reality, these "common sense" may be overlooked as more and more young people start driving. It is very necessary to reorganize and emphasize the correct way to use automatic transmissions in order to cultivate good driving habits among novice drivers.