Do You Need to Press the Brake All the Way Down When Shifting an Automatic Transmission?
1 Answers
When shifting an automatic transmission car, you don't need to press the brake all the way down. Shifting from D (Drive) without pressing the brake: When shifting from D to D3 or D21 while moving, you don't need to press the brake. However, suddenly shifting from D to a lower gear at high speed will cause the engine RPM to rise significantly, resulting in noticeable jerking. At lower speeds, you can shift directly to a lower gear. Some cars have S (Sport) or M (Manual) modes, which can be switched to from D mode while driving. Shifting into N (Neutral) requires pressing the brake: Shifting from N to R (Reverse) or D requires pressing the brake and holding the shift-lock button; otherwise, the gear won't engage. Avoid shifting from D to N while driving, as coasting in neutral can damage the automatic transmission.