6 Things you should Never do in an Automatic Transmission Car!

A car with automatic transmission is often the best choice, especially for people just starting to drive. The reason is easy to understand: it’s simpler to drive. Also, it is more comfortable in general, especially in traffic jams.

Even though driving an automatic transmission car is pretty easy, that doesn’t mean you can never make a mistake. Still, there are some things you should avoid if you want to drive safely and save money on gas, among other things.

In the rest of this post, I’ll tell you 6 things you should never do in a car with an automatic transmission. If you know these things, you’ll be able to drive like a pro and avoid making mistakes many others have already made.

How Does An Automatic Transmission Work?

An automatic transmission uses a complex system of gears, clutches, and a torque converter to change gears as the vehicle speeds up or slows down. The transmission uses a system of planetary gears, which rotate around a central gear, called a sun gear. The planetary gears are held in place by a series of clutches and bands controlled by hydraulic pressure.

The transmission is not connected to the engine when the car is in the park or neutral. When the driver shifts into the drive, the transmission sends hydraulic pressure to the clutches and bands, which causes the planetary gears to rotate. This connects the transmission to the engine and allows the car to begin moving.

Never do these things in an automatic transmission car.

If you own a car with an automatic transmission, avoid these 6 driving mistakes to keep your automatic car in good shape:

Never park the car on transmission without Using the hand Brake

You should always use the emergency brake if you park uphill, downhill, or where your car could move if something moved. Not doing so can damage the parking pawl in the transmission.

Users who are familiar with operating a manual transmission car understand that whether parked on a slope or flat terrain, they should always activate the hand brake.

But what about cars that have automatic transmissions? Still, it’s a good idea because it keeps the parking pawl from breaking and needing to be fixed.

To use the handbrake properly, you should

1. First, move the transmission shift lever to Neutral
2. Activate the hand brake,
3. Now you should stop using the brake pedals and make sure the car isn’t moving
4. finally, you can move the transmission shift lever to Park

Never drive on low Fuel Levels

This tip also applies to manual cars; you shouldn’t drive on an empty gas tank. Even if the car is still moving, you may damage your fuel pump.

When your gas tank is low, and you drive, it’s also possible for dirt and dust to damage your engine or fuel pump. If there is dirt in your fuel, it will settle to the bottom of the tank. If your fuel level is low, dirt will likely get into your fuel pump.

Never Leave the Car in ‘Drive’ Mode While Idling

When you’re just sitting in your vehicle, it’s best to switch off the engine or put it in park mode. If you leave it in drive mode, it will overheat and possibly break the gearbox. The car may start moving if you do not push the brake pedals.

Never switch direction (D to R, R to D) when the car is still moving

Driving can make you feel pumped up. It wakes your senses, so you might feel like you’re driving a race car and the road is your track. You might change your direction quickly, so much so that you forget to stop. It would be best never to do this when driving a car with an automatic transmission.

Before switching from drive mode to reverse or the other way around, you must stop the car completely. This is because you don’t use the transmission to stop the car. You are using the brakes instead.

Never shift Gear to Park when you have Not Completely Stopped

When driving a car with an automatic transmission, the last thing you should never do is automatically shift into the park before the car is completely stopped. You shouldn’t be in a rush because this will damage your transmission and will potentially cost you a lot.

Never Drive Hard Without Warming Up The Engine

It’s a bad idea, especially when it’s cold outside. When it’s cold, the oil gets thick and moves slowly. Give the fuel a minute to get to all the parts of the transmission. If you put the car in gear and start driving fast immediately, it will cause much damage inside.

In Closing

driving an automatic transmission car could not be as fun as manual cars, but it is easier for sure, but if you aren’t using it properly and avoiding mistakes that cost a lot, you could be in big trouble.

What are other things you should never do in an automatic transmission? Share your thoughts in the comments.