Is Gear Shift Jerkiness Normal for Automatic Transmissions?

[DiMiranda]

Gear shift jerkiness in automatic transmissions is not normal. The causes of gear shift jerkiness in automatic transmissions are: 1. Transmission clutch pressure leakage; 2. Blockage or poor flow in the transmission oil circuit; 3. Insufficient transmission fluid level; 4. Damaged solenoid valve. An automatic transmission does not require the driver to manually shift gears; the vehicle automatically selects the appropriate gear based on driving speed and traffic conditions. The correct usage methods for automatic transmissions are: 1. Start the vehicle in P or N gear, shift out of P gear by pressing the brake pedal, turn on the power while pressing the brake, shift to N gear, and after ignition, shift to D gear to move forward directly; 2. When switching between N, D, and L gears, there is no need to press the shift button. When shifting from L gear to lower restricted gears, press the shift button, but shifting from lower to higher gears does not require pressing the shift button; 3. Do not shift into N gear while driving to coast; 4. Do not push into P gear while driving; 5. After driving, the engine must be turned off and shifted into P gear before the key can be removed.

[LeLondon]

I've been driving automatic transmissions for ten years, and the issue of gear shift jerking depends on its severity. Occasional slight jolts are like tripping while walking—basically normal, especially during cold starts. But if it feels like someone kicked your seatback violently, or if every upshift makes the car shudder, there's definitely a problem! My car acted like that last year, and it turned out to be deteriorated and clumpy transmission fluid. Now I change the fluid every 12,000 kilometers, and the jerking has reduced significantly. Breaking the habit of flooring the accelerator also helps—after all, the transmission gets confused when you stomp on the gas pedal too hard.

[LuciaFitz]

Last time I accompanied my friend to repair the car, I learned a lot. Slight jerking is mostly normal gear shifting impact, but if it occurs frequently, these three areas need to be checked: whether the transmission fluid level is insufficient or deteriorated, whether the solenoid valve is stuck, and whether the computer program needs an upgrade. The repair shop technician said that for new cars within 100,000 kilometers, if the jerking is particularly obvious, it's most likely a program calibration issue. They can use a diagnostic computer to rematch the clutch pressure in half an hour, which is much more cost-effective than replacing parts.

[VonChase]

My old car shifts like a rocking horse after 150,000 km. The veteran mechanic said this is a classic symptom of worn clutch plates - when the steel plates slip, it causes jerking. Worn plungers in the valve body can also make oil pressure unstable, resulting in spastic shifts during gear changes. The worst is the torque converter - repairs often cost 5,000-6,000 RMB. Now I've learned: shift to neutral at red lights to reduce load, release the throttle two seconds early and press gently, which reduces jerking by 30%. It's an old car after all - as long as it runs, don't ask for perfection.