Is It Harmful for an Automatic Transmission to Roll Forward in Reverse Gear?
2 Answers
Occasional occurrences are not a big issue and pose minimal harm, but frequent operation of this nature can increase wear and tear on the transmission, potentially leading to gear grinding. Here is some extended information about automatic transmissions: Introduction: As the name suggests, 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. Generally, automatic transmission vehicles have six gear positions, arranged from top to bottom as follows: P, R, N, D, S, L. Principle: An automatic transmission uses planetary gear mechanisms to shift gears. It automatically adjusts the gear based on the degree of throttle pedal input and changes in vehicle speed, while the driver only needs to control the speed using the accelerator pedal.
Once when I parked on a slope, I forgot to engage the handbrake and shifted into R gear. The car actually rolled forward a bit and nearly hit the guardrail in front. I was absolutely terrified at that moment. An automatic transmission car rolling forward while in reverse gear is extremely dangerous, primarily due to loss of vehicle control. At best, it could damage other vehicles or obstacles, causing property damage; at worst, it could injure pedestrians or yourself, posing a high safety risk. Especially for beginners, this mistake is more likely to happen on steep slopes. It's crucial to develop the habit of firmly pressing the brake and tightly engaging the handbrake after parking, then checking if the car is stable by shifting gears. I've found that regularly inspecting the brake system and transmission is also essential—don't wait until small issues become major problems before fixing them. In short, this is no joke; immediate action is necessary to avoid safety hazards.
