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 automatic driving.

Shift to N (Mo) when going downhill

Surely you have heard someone say that cars will save more fuel when left in neutral 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 at a red light.

This 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 damage to the hydraulic brake system (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 no longer being smooth, 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 neutral and neutral while waiting at red lights will only wear out the transmission more quickly if you do it 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 can break the gearbox locking pin.

P mode is not for stopping the car, but 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 rpm higher than necessary

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

This will wear out the gears quickly and will soon cause engine and automatic transmission failure. Remember that replacing both of these is very expensive.

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 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 with automatic transmission is more expensive than a car equipped with manual transmission, so it also needs to be taken care of more carefully.