If you drive an automatic car, stop these habits immediately.

Automatic transmissions are one of the most influential inventions in the automotive industry, ushering in a new era for car users thanks to the safety and convenience they offer. They quickly became popular among many drivers, especially those with limited basic driving skills.

However, to use an automatic transmission safely and effectively, drivers need to avoid habits and mistakes that could damage the vehicle.

The engine revs up when shifting to D gear.

Revving the engine while shifting gears is a technique commonly used in manual transmission cars, especially in racing. However, drivers primarily use this revving technique when shifting to lower gears to reduce the jerky feeling.

However, in an automatic car, if the driver applies this method simultaneously with shifting from P to D, it would be a mistake. This will create strong impacts between the gears, causing significant friction between other parts of the transmission, potentially damaging other engine components. If the engine and transmission are damaged, the repair costs for these parts will be substantial.

The car was in P gear before it had come to a complete stop.

When the vehicle is about to stop, the wheels are still moving, causing the gearbox gears to also be in motion. Therefore, if the vehicle is rolling and the user shifts from D to P (parking mode), the locking pin inside the gearbox will be lowered and strike the gear connected to the output shaft of the gearbox, which is still rotating. This can cause the locking pin to crack or, in more severe cases, break.

Replacing gearbox gears is not easy, expensive, and time-consuming. Therefore, automotive experts recommend that users of automatic cars, when preparing to park, should gently apply the brakes to slow the vehicle down, shift to neutral (N), and brake until the car comes to a complete stop, engage the parking brake or press the electronic parking brake, and finally shift to park (P).

Keep the fuel tank low.

An automatic car relies heavily on fluid pressure to run properly. Fuel also helps keep the engine and other components cool and lubricated. Therefore, these parts will wear out much faster if the fuel tank is consistently low.

Do not warm up the engine before driving.

Cars, like people, need a warm-up period for their parts to function properly. Many car owners have a habit of starting the engine, shifting gears, and driving off quickly. However, this can cause long-term damage to the vehicle, especially when used in cold winter conditions.

In cold temperatures, fluids in a vehicle such as engine oil, transmission fluid, and coolant tend to thicken and move more slowly throughout the vehicle. Therefore, unless absolutely necessary, drivers should let the engine run for 30 seconds to 1 minute to allow the fluids to thin out and lubricate the internal components of the engine and transmission.

If driving is unavoidable, drivers should maintain a low speed, avoiding frequent gear changes and aggressive acceleration from the start. This can lead to serious damage to the internal components of the engine and transmission.

Driving with both feet

This might be a habit for drivers who have been using manual transmissions for a long time and have recently switched to automatic. In reality, driving with both feet is only used by professional racers in competitions and is rarely used in normal driving conditions.

Using the left foot to brake can lead to drivers being unable to accurately estimate braking force, causing the vehicle to constantly jerk and lurch. Additionally, the brake pedal is quite close to the accelerator pedal, so keeping the left foot on the brake pedal will result in an uncomfortable driving posture.

Placing the left foot on the brake pedal can inadvertently cause the brakes to drag without the driver realizing it. This not only causes the brakes to wear out faster but also forces the engine to work harder to counteract the braking force, leading to increased fuel consumption.

Regarding the number N when stopping at a red light.

Many drivers of automatic cars have a habit of shifting to neutral (N) when waiting at red lights, believing that this will save fuel and prevent unnecessary wear and tear on the transmission components.

However, the reality is the opposite: pressing the brake and keeping the car in D mode causes less damage to the transmission. Conversely, constantly shifting from D to N and vice versa will only cause faster wear and tear on the transmission. Shifting from D to N should only be done when waiting at a red light for an extended period (over 1 minute).

Let it drift when going downhill.

Some people believe that letting the car coast by shifting from D to N while going downhill helps save fuel because the engine is no longer transmitting power to turn the wheels. Instead, the car moves mainly based on inertia and gravity.

However, this method cuts off the oil supply, depriving the transmission of the necessary lubrication for smooth operation, leading to significant wear and damage. Furthermore, without the assistance of engine braking, the braking system will work harder, causing brake pads to wear out faster and increasing the risk of brake failure, thus compromising safety.

For that reason, users should abandon this habit because the cost of repairing parts such as brakes, engines, and even damage from accidents does not outweigh the fuel savings gained.