What are the precautions for using automatic transmission vehicles?
2 Answers
Precautions for using automatic transmission vehicles: 1. Do not coast in neutral gear. When the automatic transmission is in N gear, mechanical heat dissipation stops, but the vehicle is still moving, and the transmission is also operating. Therefore, coasting in neutral gear can cause damage to it; 2. Do not shift to P gear before the vehicle comes to a complete stop. If the vehicle is shifted directly to P gear without stopping, the transmission will be affected by external pressure, which may lead to damage or gear jamming; 3. Do not always use D gear. Automatic transmission vehicles also have multiple gear settings. When climbing or overtaking, you can switch to L gear or S gear to obtain more power; 4. Do not shift to R gear before the vehicle stops. When the vehicle is moving, the transmission defaults to forward gear. Shifting to R gear at this time will cause an impact on the transmission, which will lead to damage over time.
Having driven automatic transmission cars for over thirty years, I deeply understand that safety is paramount. Always shift to P (Park) when stopping the car, otherwise it may roll away, especially on slopes—engaging the handbrake is essential. Avoid shifting gears randomly while driving, such as switching directly from D (Drive) to R (Reverse), as this can cause severe jerking and damage the transmission. Always come to a complete stop before reversing to prevent the rear wheels from locking up and damaging components. Additionally, regularly check the transmission fluid and replace it approximately every 50,000 kilometers; poor or insufficient fluid quality can lead to overheating and transmission failure. I once had a colleague who neglected timely fluid changes and ended up paying over ten thousand in repairs. During long-distance driving, maintain smooth acceleration and deceleration—sudden braking harms the car and wastes fuel. On slippery rainy roads, slow down early and keep steady in D (Drive) mode; don’t imitate manual transmission techniques like engine braking.
