What are the bad habits of driving an automatic car?
2 Answers
Driving an automatic car mainly has the following bad habits: shifting to N gear while decelerating or going downhill; suddenly shifting to a low gear during high-speed driving; shifting to R gear before the car has completely stopped; towing the car without proper measures. Here are the detailed explanations: 1. Shifting to N gear while decelerating or going downhill: During driving, an automatic transmission requires D gear or sufficient lubricating oil to lubricate the transmission gears and clutch. If shifted to neutral gear, it may result in insufficient lubrication for these components, potentially causing damage to the automatic transmission. 2. Suddenly shifting to a low gear during high-speed driving: Whether it's an automatic or manual transmission, each gear has its maximum speed limit. Just like shifting to the wrong gear in a manual car may cause stalling, shifting to the wrong gear in an automatic car can also cause problems, especially when forcibly shifting to a low gear during high-speed driving, which is likely to damage the transmission. 3. Shifting to R gear before the car has completely stopped: If the car hasn't completely stopped, it means the internal components are still operating. Shifting to R gear at this time may generate a reverse pressure on the reverse gear clutch, leading to wear and tear on car components over time, significantly reducing the car's lifespan. 4. Towing the car without proper measures: Accidents may occur during driving, causing the car to malfunction and fail to start. The most common solution is to call a tow truck to take the car to a repair shop. However, towing the car without any measures may likely damage the transmission.
I've been driving automatic transmission cars for several years and have observed several common bad habits. First is frequently coasting in neutral. Many people shift to N gear when going downhill thinking it saves fuel, but it's actually unsafe and damages the transmission, potentially causing skidding or engine stalling. Second is not shifting to N or P gear when stopping for long periods at red lights, just holding the brake which causes transmission overheating and wear. Stomping on the accelerator when starting or reversing is also terrible - it causes tire spin, wastes fuel and damages the car. Parking without engaging the handbrake and directly shifting to P gear is dangerous as the car might roll away. I've developed the habit of being patient in congested areas and not rushing to change gears; cultivating smooth driving habits makes the car run better. Regular transmission fluid checks and maintenance, along with avoiding these small bad habits, can significantly extend your car's lifespan and reduce headaches.
