Lesson 4. How to use an automatic transmission
Content
In order to understand how to use an automatic transmission, it is enough to know what modes the machine has and how to turn them on. Therefore, we will consider the main and possible modes, as well as how to use them.
What do the letters on the box mean
The most common, found on almost all automatic transmissions:
- P (Parkind) - parking mode, the car will not roll away anywhere, both in the running state and in the muffled state;
- R (Reverse) - reverse mode (reverse gear);
- N (Neutral) - neutral gear (the car does not respond to gas, but the wheels are not blocked and the car can roll if it is downhill);
- D (Drive) - forward movement mode.
We have listed the standard modes of most automatic transmissions, but there are also more sophisticated, technologically advanced transmissions with additional modes, consider them:
- S (Sport) - the name of the mode speaks for itself, the box starts shifting gears more abruptly and quickly, unlike the usual comfortable mode (this designation may also have a different character - SNOW winter mode);
- W (Winter) H (Hold) * - winter modes that help prevent wheel slip;
- Selector mode (indicated in the photo below) - designed for manual gear shifting forward and backward;
- L (Low) - low gear, a mode typical for SUVs with a gun.
How to switch the automatic transmission mode
On all automatic transmissions, the standard modes should only be switched after full stop car and brake pedal depressed.
It is clear that in the selective (manual) mode you do not need to stop to change gears.
Correct operation of the automatic transmission
Let us single out several cases of operation that can lead to increased wear or failure of an automatic transmission.
Avoid slipping... The machine, due to its design, does not like slipping and may fail. Therefore, try not to gas abruptly on snowy or icy surfaces. If you are stuck, then you should not press the gas pedal in Drive (D) mode, be sure to turn on W (winter) mode or switch to manual mode for 1st gear (if there is a selector).
Also extremely it is not advisable to tow heavy trailers and other vehicles, this creates an excessive load on the machine. In general, towing cars on an automatic machine is a responsible business and here it is advisable to refer to the manual for your car and find out the conditions for towing. Most likely, there will be restrictions on the speed and duration of towing the car.
Do not put a heavy load on an unheated automatic gearbox, that is, you should not accelerate sharply in the first minutes after the start of movement, you must let the box warm up. This is especially true in winter during frost.
