Things to avoid when using automatic cars

The automatic transmission car market has dominated the auto industry for decades. The convenience of simply shifting the gear lever to “D” mode and letting the car drive itself throughout the journey has made this type of car more and more popular.

Without the need to engage the clutch, depress the clutch, and then shift gears like on a manual car, driving an automatic car becomes more accessible, especially in crowded urban traffic conditions with frequent traffic jams.

However, because of that simplicity, many drivers are subjective, thinking that automatic cars "just run", leading to wrong habits that can cause long-term damage to the gearbox.

In fact, the mechanism of automatic transmission is very different and sophisticated, designed to optimize the ability to shift gears smoothly without much intervention from the driver. But if you use it wrongly, such as applying the mindset of driving a manual car, or trying some "tricks" that seem good, the consequences can be very serious.

Seemingly harmless daily habits can silently wear down important components, causing gear shifts to become slow and uneven, and over time can lead to damage to the transmission, one of the most expensive parts of the car.

Shifting gears before the vehicle has come to a complete stop

One of the most common yet damaging mistakes with automatic transmission cars is switching between D (Drive), R (Reverse) and P (Park) modes while the car is still moving.

In principle, these three modes serve completely different situations, and switching between them should only be done when the car has come to a complete stop. However, many drivers, out of haste or subjectivity, have the habit of changing gears while the car is still rolling, such as quickly pulling into a parking space and then quickly switching to P mode, or going downhill in N mode (neutral).

This is not only dangerous in terms of safety, but also a “death sentence” for the transmission. Automatic transmission systems are designed with high precision, requiring smooth coordination between gears and transmission mechanisms.

When you shift gears while the car is still moving, these parts are forced to endure great pressure, leading to premature wear and tear, and in the long run, can leave you facing expensive repair costs. This is the type of error that you may not notice right away, but the consequences will be very obvious after a period of use.

Keep driving mode when parking

When stopping in a parking lot, on the side of the road or anywhere out of traffic, the simple but very important thing you need to do is shift the gear lever into P and take your foot off the brake pedal.

Not only is this a safer maneuver, it also frees the transmission and engine from unnecessary stress, especially if you plan to stop for several minutes or longer.

However, some drivers, for convenience or impatience, have the habit of keeping the driving mode (D) and pressing the brake when waiting for people or stopping temporarily. In the long run, this seemingly harmless action can cause the engine to heat up unnecessarily, because the system is still operating in the ready-to-go mode.

If repeated frequently, the engine temperature will gradually increase over time and can lead to overheating, a common cause of serious damage to internal components.

So, even if you're only stopping for a few minutes, switch to P mode. It's a simple way to prolong the life of your vehicle and ensure your own comfort.

Press the gas suddenly

It’s a common temptation, especially for new drivers, to go full throttle as soon as you start the car, or “launch,” and it feels like a blast. The thrill of the car shooting forward in a split second may be exhilarating, but it’s actually the quickest way to wear out your transmission and engine.

Automatic transmissions are not designed to handle sudden high torque spikes while the car is still stationary. When you apply full throttle from a standstill, the entire drivetrain is subjected to a huge amount of force at once, which not only stresses the transmission but also puts the engine into a sudden state of overload.

In cold weather conditions, the consequences are even more serious because the oil has not had time to heat up and circulate effectively, causing metal parts to rub directly against each other, an ideal scenario for premature damage.

Whether you're in a hurry or simply want to experience the thrill, remember to accelerate slowly and steadily. This is the smart way to drive, both safely and to help protect your car's longevity.

Ignore the “Check Engine” Warning Light

Of all the warning signs on your car’s dashboard, the Check Engine light is perhaps the most confusing. It often comes on unexpectedly, without any obvious sign of a problem, and sometimes even goes away on its own.

It is this ambiguity that causes many drivers to be complacent, choosing to ignore it in the hope that “everything will be fine”. But like many problems in life, ignoring it is not a good solution.

The Check Engine light isn't just related to the engine system, it can also warn of serious problems with the automatic transmission such as low transmission fluid level, slipping gears, grinding, or transmission overheating.

These problems, if not detected and handled promptly, can lead to serious damage, costing tens of millions of dong to repair.

Even if the car still runs “normally”, do not ignore this signal. Take the car to a garage for inspection as soon as possible to determine the specific cause. A timely inspection can help you avoid both a large expense and an unnecessary safety risk.

Shift to neutral when stopping at a red light

On automatic transmission vehicles, N (Neutral) mode exists primarily as an emergency measure, such as when the vehicle experiences a problem with the accelerator or brake, or when the vehicle needs to be pushed out of a stuck position.

However, many drivers, especially those who are used to manual transmission cars, have the habit of shifting to neutral when stopping at red lights, thinking that it will save fuel or give the car a little "rest". In fact, this is an unnecessary habit and potentially risky.

Automatic transmissions are designed to operate smoothly in D mode, even when stopped. Frequently shifting to neutral not only does not save fuel, but can also cause unnecessary mechanical wear on the transmission.

More dangerously, if you accidentally step on the gas while still in N mode, the car will not move as desired, which is extremely dangerous if you are at a busy intersection or in a situation where quick reaction is required.

Instead of applying the old habit from manual transmission cars, leave the car in D mode and keep your foot on the brake, which is safer and more suitable for the design of today's automatic transmissions.