What are the steps for shifting gears in an automatic transmission?

[Elaine]

Automatic transmission shifting steps are: locate the button on the side of the gear lever, press the button while shifting, move the gear lever to the desired position, then release it. The gear lever cannot be moved without pressing the button. The gears of an automatic transmission car are: P for parking, R for reverse, N for neutral, D for drive, L for low gear, S for sport mode, and OD for overdrive. Precautions for driving an automatic transmission car are: 1. Do not shift into P while driving; 2. After driving, the engine must be turned off and shifted into P to remove the key; 3. Do not shift into N while driving to coast; 4. When starting the vehicle in P or N, remove the gear lever from P while stepping on the brake, turn on the power and step on the brake to shift to N, and after ignition, shift to D to drive forward directly.

[MacRemington]

When I first started learning to drive, I was quite confused about shifting gears in an automatic transmission. The steps are actually quite simple: After getting in the car, make sure your foot is firmly on the brake pedal, then start the engine. At this point, the gear is in P (Park), which will be displayed on the dashboard. To move forward, keep your foot on the brake, shift the gear lever from P to D (Drive), and slowly release the brake—the car will start moving. For reversing, shift to R (Reverse), again while keeping your foot on the brake. When parking, always bring the car to a complete stop, press the brake firmly, and then shift to P. Don’t forget to engage the parking brake, especially on slopes. Get into the habit of checking the gear indicator light to avoid mistakes. The advantage of an automatic transmission is that it’s hassle-free, but avoid forcefully shifting the gear lever, as it can damage the transmission. Once you get used to it, you’ll find it as smooth as playing a game.

[BarrettLee]

After years of driving, I've concluded that the key to automatic transmission shifting lies in safety. Every operation requires attention to footwork: firmly pressing the brake is mandatory, otherwise the car may move unexpectedly, posing a danger. In terms of procedure, after starting the car, it should be in P (Park) position; before shifting to D (Drive) or R (Reverse), coordinate both feet well—keep the brake pressed and gently push the gear lever. Avoid random gear changes while driving, such as shifting directly from D to R, as it can easily damage the transmission. When parking, first brake to a complete stop, then shift to P, and additionally engage the parking brake for double security. If parking on a slope, use the parking brake to secure the car before shifting gears to prevent rolling. I often remind my friends that safety is more important than speed; developing these habits can protect both the car and lives.

[Kimberly]

As a car enthusiast, the steps for shifting an automatic transmission are: press the brake to start, check that the gear is in P, then push the gear lever to D or R. While driving, don't move the gear lever randomly. When parking, shift back to P. Remember the key points: always brake first to avoid transmission shock. Practice makes perfect.