Automatic transmissions are a blessing, especially for beginners. Easy, fast, no nerves! But still, many drivers are found guilty of using them incorrectly. As easy as it may seem, some bad habits could ruin the automatic transmission. And once it gets damaged, you’ll find yourself having to replace parts to repair it.
We at Engineering Insider care about your well-being, and have compiled some driving tips that will help keep your automatic transmission in good condition.
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1. Don’t leave it in “drive” if you’re just sitting in the car for a long time.
Leaving your car in “drive” when you’re just sitting in the car for a very long time can seriously destroy your automatic transmission because of overheating. In this case, it’s better to just shut the car off or at least put it into “park.”
2. Don’t forget about the parking brake.
Be nice to your car and it will respond to you with love! Forgetting about the parking brake counts as mistreating your vehicle. It is a good idea for every beginning driver to keep in mind that even the lightest of bumper taps can damage the parking pawl if the parking brake is not engaged!
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3. Don’t engage the neutral gear while going downhill.
You might think it’s going to save you gas. But it’s the opposite! Putting your car in neutral while driving downhill actually puts you in danger. It reduces your ability to control the vehicle and we are sure that this is the last thing you want.
Besides, it’s harmful for your transmission, which can cost a lot to repair.
4. Don’t engage the neutral gear while stuck in traffic or while waiting for a green light.
Everyone in big cities experiences traffic jams. And it’s super annoying to waste this time and money. But it is also a big mistake and could cause additional damage to your transmission if you use the neutral gear. It is not going to save you money if you think that you’re saving fuel.
When it is in “neutral,” you don’t have much control over the car and you can’t maneuver fast.
Just keep the engine on, your car on a “drive,” and your foot on the brake.
Related: Automatic vs Manual Transmission
5. Don’t shift into “Park” before the car stops completely.
Some cars won’t even let you do this. And if you do, you can damage or break the locking pin that’s used for keeping your transmission from running. It’s very harmful for the transmission. So when you find a parking space, don’t rush, stop the car, and then put it into “park.”
You should remember that “Park” was made to keep your car from rolling away, but not to stop the car while moving.
