Does shifting to R gear and stalling harm an automatic transmission car?
2 Answers
Brief instances won't cause damage, but frequent or prolonged occurrences will. The R gear is the reverse gear used when backing up, but it should only be engaged when the vehicle is completely stationary. Shifting into R while the car is still moving slowly can severely damage the transmission. Here's an introduction to automatic transmission gears: 1. L gear: Low gear limits speed. When climbing slopes, this gear maintains high RPM at low gear. 2. S gear: Sport mode allows free gear shifting but delays shift timing, keeping the engine at high RPM for extended periods, enabling low-gear high-RPM driving. 3. D gear: Drive gear is used for normal forward movement. 4. N gear: Neutral is for temporary stops. 5. P gear: Park gear should be engaged when parking to activate the parking brake and prevent rolling.
I've been repairing cars for nearly twenty years and have seen many drivers panic while driving, especially when the engine suddenly stalls while shifting into reverse gear (R). Honestly, this is really bad for the car! The main issue lies with the transmission: when the engine stalls, the gears are still in reverse motion, and a sudden stop causes impact and extra wear. This is especially true for older cars with outdated transmission fluid, where components are more prone to breakage or oil leaks. Over time, repair costs skyrocket. Modern cars have electronic protection, so an occasional mistake might not be a big deal, but frequent mishandling will definitely cause harm. I recommend not rushing when parking—first firmly press the brake, shift to P (Park), and then turn off the engine. This way, your car will stay healthy and last longer. During maintenance, check the fluids regularly—don’t cut corners and harm your beloved ride.
