What is the starting mnemonic for automatic transmission cars?
4 Answers
Automatic transmission car starting mnemonic is: one turn, two press, three shift, four honk, five release, six observe, seven lift, eight press, nine return light. When starting the vehicle, try to maintain low-speed driving. The specific meaning of the starting mnemonic is: 1. One turn means turning on the left turn signal by flipping the turn signal switch; 2. Two press means pressing the brake pedal; 3. Three shift means placing the gear shift lever into D gear; 4. Four honk means pressing the horn once; 5. Five release means releasing the handbrake; 6. Six observe means observing the front and rear traffic conditions, and be sure to observe the left rear traffic conditions through the left rearview mirror; 7. Seven lift means gently lifting the brake pedal; 8. Eight press means slowly pressing the accelerator pedal; 9. Nine return light means turning off the turn signal by flipping it back after entering the driving lane.
As a novice driver who just got my license, I remember my instructor taught me the automatic transmission starting mantra: 'First, press the brake pedal; second, shift to D gear; third, release the parking brake button; fourth, slowly release the brake to start moving; fifth, gently press the accelerator to drive steadily.' This makes it easy to remember, with safety as the top priority. Pressing the brake prevents the car from rolling or moving unexpectedly, which is especially important when starting on a slope. Then, shift to D gear to prepare for moving forward. Next, release the parking brake to disengage the parking force. Slowly release the brake to let the car move on its own—don’t rush to press the accelerator to avoid jerking forward. Finally, lightly press the accelerator to control the speed. Beginners might make sequence mistakes at first, like forgetting to release the parking brake before driving, causing the dashboard to alert. Practicing a few times will help develop good habits and avoid damaging the car or causing accidents. I recommend trying it in a parking lot first; once you’re used to it, you’ll be able to drive smoothly on the road.
When I was teaching my son to drive, I always made him memorize the mantra 'Brake-Stop-Shift-Release-Ease-Gas'. It means first press the brake firmly to bring the car to a complete stop, then shift to D gear to prepare for driving, release the parking brake, slowly lift the brake pedal to feel the car gradually start moving, and finally gently press the accelerator to speed up. This method comes from my experience - having driven automatic transmissions for nearly a decade, I've simplified it into five easy-to-remember steps. The key is to release the brake slowly; if done too quickly, the car might jerk or stall. Releasing the parking brake a bit earlier is fine, but don't forget it. A common mistake beginners make is shifting directly to gear and hitting the gas without releasing the brake, causing tire spin. Practice a few times and it'll become second nature in daily driving - just remember to check tire pressure and fuel level regularly.
Starting an automatic car is actually super easy. I've simplified the steps to 'Hold brake - Shift to D - Release handbrake - Release brake to move - Lightly press gas.' This means firmly press the brake pedal to ensure the car doesn't move, shift the gear lever to D position, press the handbrake release button to fully disengage it, slowly lift your foot off the brake to let the car start moving gently, and then apply appropriate throttle once the car is in motion. The whole process should be smooth - avoid sudden movements to prevent jerking that might discomfort passengers. As someone who frequently goes on road trips, I've found this sequence reduces engine load and prolongs engine life. It's especially crucial for hill starts - getting the sequence wrong might cause rollback. Beginners can practice in empty parking spaces for easier mastery.
