What are the most damaging behaviors for automatic transmission vehicles?
2 Answers
Most damaging behaviors for automatic transmission vehicles: 1. Shifting to R gear before the car comes to a complete stop: When driving an automatic transmission vehicle, shifting to "R" gear before the car has fully stopped is equivalent to suddenly pulling backward while moving forward, which can cause significant damage to the transmission. This behavior can harm the solenoid valve and clutch plates, as well as damage the gears. 2. Using D gear for long uphill or downhill drives: Keeping the car in "D" gear during long uphill or downhill drives can be harmful. During uphill driving, pressing the accelerator to increase power may cause the car to upshift, but then it might downshift due to insufficient power. Frequent automatic shifting between gears accelerates transmission wear and increases jerking sensations. During downhill driving, staying in D gear and braking for extended periods can overheat the brake discs, leading to brake failure. In such cases, it's best to shift to "S" or "L" gear, or for vehicles with manual-automatic transmission, switch to the low gear in manual mode. 3. Holding D gear while braking at long stops: Keeping the car in "D" gear and pressing the brake during prolonged stops, such as at traffic lights, can be harmful. For AT transmissions, the torque converter continuously stirs the transmission fluid, raising its temperature and reducing lubrication efficiency, thereby shortening the transmission's lifespan. For dual-clutch transmissions, this keeps the clutch in a semi-engaged state, leading to wear and reduced longevity. 4. Coasting in N gear: Coasting in neutral ("N" gear) in an automatic transmission vehicle is harmful because the oil pump in the transmission doesn't operate during this time, depriving components of lubrication and reducing the transmission's lifespan. Many believe coasting in neutral saves fuel, but the damage to the transmission outweighs any benefits. 5. Improper towing: It's best to avoid using a tow rope for automatic transmission vehicles, as the principle is similar to coasting in neutral. If towing is unavoidable, shift to "N" gear and keep the speed low and distance short. It's recommended to use a flatbed tow truck, as this minimizes damage to the transmission.
I've been working with cars for many years, and there are several common behaviors that are most damaging to automatic transmission vehicles. First is driving at high speeds immediately after a cold start, when the engine hasn't warmed up and the oil hasn't properly lubricated, which can easily damage engine and transmission components. Second is frequent rapid acceleration and hard braking, which not only consumes more fuel but also wears out the braking system and reduces smoothness, leading to expensive repairs in the long run. Third is coasting in neutral - some people do it to save fuel, but this increases internal friction in the transmission, causing premature aging of components. Fourth is shifting directly to P without engaging the parking brake when parking, which can lock up the transmission on slopes and require costly repairs. Finally, forgetting to change transmission fluid - when the fluid gets dirty it can't dissipate heat properly, leading to overheating that damages the entire system. Making these small mistakes daily will cause your car to wear out prematurely.
