Is Gear Shift Jerking Normal for Automatic Transmissions?
3 Answers
Automatic transmission gear shift jerking is not normal. Here are the reasons for automatic transmission gear shift jerking: 1. Transmission clutch pressure leakage. 2. Blockage or poor flow in the transmission oil passage. 3. Insufficient transmission oil 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 as follows: 1. Start the vehicle in P or N gear. Shift out of P gear by stepping on the brake, turn on the power while stepping on 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; shifting from lower gears to higher gears does not require pressing the shift button. 3. Do not shift into N gear while driving to coast, and do not push into P gear while driving. 4. After driving, the engine must be turned off and shifted into P gear before the key can be removed.
Having driven automatic transmission cars for over a decade, I'd say gearshift jerkiness depends on severity. Occasional slight jerks during a new car's break-in period are quite normal - my old Accord had that too when new, but smoothed out after 3,000 km. However, if every gearshift feels like being kicked, that's definitely problematic. The most common culprit is deteriorated transmission fluid - I once had severe jerking that turned out to be fluid black as cola. Another pitfall is people keeping the car in D while braking at red lights, which really wears the transmission clutch plates. My advice: change transmission fluid regularly, avoid sudden acceleration in city traffic, and get the fluid lines or solenoid valves checked immediately if jerking persists - delayed repairs cost more.
A couple of days ago, my neighbor's younger sister asked me why her Fit's gear shifts were always jerky. I told her it depends on the situation: slight shaking when shifting during a cold start is normal and will improve as the car warms up; but if the gear shifts remain rough at high speeds, it's a cause for concern. A common issue is insufficient transmission fluid—I taught her how to check the dipstick, and she found the fluid level below the minimum mark. Another possibility is a dirty throttle body, which can cause unstable air-fuel mixture ratios and affect gear shifting. New drivers often tend to stomp on the accelerator, but with an automatic transmission, you should press the pedal gently, as if stepping on an egg. She later changed the fluid and cleaned the throttle body, and now she says the car shifts as smoothly as a bumper car. Remember, transmission fluid must be changed every 40,000 kilometers!
