How long does the shift indicator light stay on (automatic transmission)?
When you engage the transmission, your car can move forward. When you switch to reverse, you can drive in reverse. However, you need to know what gear you are shifting your car's transmission into in order to drive safely. This…
When you engage the transmission, your car can move forward. When you switch to reverse, you can drive in reverse. However, you need to know what gear you are shifting your car's transmission into in order to drive safely. This is where the shift indicator (automatic transmission) comes into play.
When you shift into gear, the selector should show which gear you have selected. The shift indicator is a cable that is attached to the shifter. It works in tandem with the shift cable, but is a separate system. Over time, the indicator cable can stretch or even break.
You use the shift indicator every time you shift from one gear to another. This is very useful when considering the life of the car. Of course, the service life of the shift indicator has not been established. They should last the lifetime of the car, but sometimes they fail prematurely.
If the gearshift indicator fails, you can still drive the car without problems. The problem is that you won't have a visual identifier telling you which gear you've selected. This can lead to problems such as falling below drive level and trying to move the car in a lower gear, which can cause damage if you're not careful. There is also the possibility that instead of parking your car, you accidentally reverse it, which could injure someone (or something) behind the car.
While there is no predetermined lifespan for your gearshift indicator on an automatic transmission, there are a few signs you can watch to tell you that the indicator is about to fail (or has already failed). These include the following:
Gear select display changes slowly
The gear selection indication does not change when shifting from one gear to another.
Gear selection indication is incorrect (e.g. shows you are in neutral when you select to drive)
Having a working shift indicator is not a requirement for driving, but it definitely helps to improve your safety and the safety of those around you. If you suspect you have a problem with the gearshift indicator, AvtoTachki can help. One of our mobile mechanics can come to your home or office to inspect your vehicle and repair or replace the shift indicator if needed.
