What Are the Bad Habits of Driving an Automatic Transmission Car?
3 Answers
Bad habits of driving an automatic transmission car include: 1. Using the left foot for braking and the right foot for the accelerator; left foot braking. 2. Having no awareness of shifting gears up or down while driving. 3. Keeping the car in D gear with the brake pressed during long stops. 4. Shifting to P gear while waiting at a red light. 5. Coasting in N gear. 6. Always driving in D gear. 7. Shifting directly to P gear when parking on a slope. 8. Shifting directly to P gear or R gear before the car comes to a complete stop. Although automatic transmission cars do not require manual shifting, traditional AT transmissions and DSG dual-clutch transmissions have gears. While the transmission can shift up automatically, if the driving habit is not very linear when pressing the accelerator pedal, the transmission's upshift will be delayed, resulting in a more sporty driving style. Therefore, during normal economical driving, it is essential to release the accelerator pedal after the engine speed rises to a certain level, then lightly press the accelerator again. At this point, the engine speed will decrease, indicating that the transmission has completed the upshift. If this habit is cultivated in daily driving, the overall fuel consumption will decrease significantly.
Some habits when driving an automatic car can actually damage the vehicle. The most common issue we experienced drivers see is keeping the foot on the brake and the gear in D while waiting at a red light. This causes the transmission fluid temperature to rise quickly, and over time, it can easily burn out the clutch plates. Some people also like to park on a slope without using the handbrake, relying solely on the P gear. The entire weight of the car is then placed on that small parking pawl, and after a few times, the transmission is bound to have problems. Coasting in neutral at high speeds to save fuel? Don’t be silly—the automatic transmission oil pump won’t supply enough oil, leaving the gears to grind dry. The most dangerous habit is using the left foot to brake unnecessarily, leading to accidentally pressing both the accelerator and brake simultaneously, which can confuse the brain in emergencies. Rushing to shift into P gear without ensuring the car has fully stopped? The grinding sound of the transmission gears is heartbreaking to hear.
When repairing cars, it's often found that many automatic transmission issues are self-inflicted. Some people think the N gear is useless and shift directly from D to P, causing a gear engagement shock that can deform the transmission. In traffic jams, dancing between the gas and brake pedals makes the transmission oil temperature skyrocket, guaranteeing a major overhaul within two years. Even worse, shifting into reverse before the car fully stops results in a loud clunk that shakes the entire drivetrain. Some drivers coast down long slopes in D gear while riding the brakes until the pads smoke—when they should use L gear or manual mode for engine braking. The most dangerous habit is using one foot for both brake and throttle—misapplying the pedals could have dire consequences. A simple transmission fluid check during routine maintenance can reveal these problems.
