Common mistakes when switching from manual to automatic transmission

Below are common mistakes that new drivers, even long-time manual drivers, often make when switching to driving an automatic car.

Shift to N (Mo) when going downhill

Surely you have heard someone say that the car will save more fuel when the car is in N gear when going downhill. This is explained because the engine does not need to pull and the car still moves thanks to its ability to drift.

Many people have the habit of shifting to N to let the car drift or wait for a red light.

The above method is very dangerous because the car will go downhill faster without engine intervention. Using more force on the brake will cause the brake pads to wear out faster, and in the worst case, it can cause the hydraulic brake system to fail (brake failure).

In addition, this is also harmful to the vehicle's gearbox because N will block the supply of lubricating oil, leading to the gearbox's movement being no longer smooth and quickly damaged. At that time, the repair cost will be more than the amount of fuel you save.

Shift to N when stopping at a red light

This is another habit that many new automatic drivers think can save fuel. Shifting into N and D when stopping at red lights will only cause rapid wear on the transmission if used regularly.

Not to mention, when stopping on a slope, you also have to pull the handbrake. Therefore, automatic car users should only leave it in D mode and keep their foot on the brake if stopping at a red light for less than 30 seconds.

Shift to P while the vehicle is moving

Shifting the car into P while it is running may break the transmission lock pin.

P mode is not for stopping the car, it is only to prevent the car from rolling when parked. Shifting to P while the car is moving can break the locking pin, making the car unable to move after parking.

Push the engine speed higher than necessary

For new car buyers, many drivers have a habit of starting the engine, shifting to N and stepping on the gas to increase the engine rpm to the critical threshold and then shifting to D.

This will wear out the gears quickly and will eventually cause engine and automatic transmission failure. Remember, these are both very expensive to replace.

Shift from D to R before stopping the vehicle.

This is a dangerous act that endangers the lives of other road users and even the driver himself. So, whether you are in a hurry or just do it by accident, stop and consider what this carelessness can lead to to the consequences for the car.

Additionally, shifting from D to R while the car is moving means you are using the transmission instead of the brakes to stop the car. This causes the transmission gears to wear out faster.

Replacing transmission gears is not easy, expensive and time consuming, so it is best to stop the car completely before changing gears.

Conclude

In short, we advise users to give up the above bad habits. A car using automatic transmission is more expensive than a car equipped with manual transmission, so it also needs to be taken care of more carefully.