How to use the automatic transmission

Today, most drivers do not imagine how they would drive a car that does not have an automatic transmission. Some newcomers are horrified by the thought that they will have to constantly shift gears manually. Many drivers with great experience also have long understood that driving with an automatic transmission is much more convenient. In spite of all this, people are tormented by the question - how can a machine box be properly operated? This article is exactly what will be discussed.

Modes of operation

To understand how to operate the automatic box, you need to figure out what are the existing modes.

Immediately it should be noted that the modes "P", "R", "D" and "N" are mandatory in each box. To select one of the modes, you just need to move the gear lever to the appropriate position.The difference from the mechanical box is that the movement of the lever occurs in one line.

The mode that the driver selected will be displayed on the control panel. This makes it possible to closely monitor the road and not be distracted to look at the lever.

1. "P" - parking. It is used during long parking. It is desirable to start the car from the parking lot. It is important to completely stop the car before turning on this mode.
2. "R" - is used to move in reverse. To enable, you need to completely stop.
3. “N” is a neutral position. When the lever is on the "neutral", torque is not transmitted to the wheels. Worth using during minor stops.
4. “D” is movement. When the selector is in this position, the car goes forward. Shifting is done independently. The driver only presses the gas pedal.

In cars that have a five- or four-stage box, the selector has several positions for moving forward: “D”, “D3”, “D2”, “D1”. These numbers show the top gear.

1. “D3” - “first 3 gears”. It is recommended to use in cases when there is no possibility to move without braking.
2. “D2” - “first 2 gears”.Transfer the lever to this position should be when the speed is less than 50 km / h. Most often used on substandard roads.
3. “D1” (“L”) - “1st gear only.” Used when the maximum speed is 25 km / h. Move the lever in a similar position is when the machine is in traffic.
4. "OD" - "overdrive". It is necessary to move to this position when the speed reaches more than 75 km / h, and to leave it when the speed drops below 70 km / h. Increased transmission makes it possible to reduce fuel consumption at the moments of movement on the highways.

Sports, economical and other modes of automatic transmission

Most of the new cars with automatic have several auxiliary modes of automatic transmission. These include:

1. “N” is the standard used during normal driving.
2. "E" - fuel economy mode. Helps the car to move at a pace that significantly reduces fuel consumption.
3. “S” is a sport. When the driver switches to this mode, he can maximize the power of the motor. No wonder that fuel consumption in this mode will be high.
4. "W" - winter.It is used in those moments when you need to start driving from a slippery road surface.

Of course, there are drivers who could not get used to the automatic transmission, considering all its advantages. To meet the needs of these people, the tiptronic mode was created. In fact, it involves the imitation of manual control. On the box, it is implemented as a slot for the selector, and is indicated by plus and minus signs. Plus gives you the opportunity to improve the transmission, and minus - to lower, respectively.

Basic operating conditions of the box automatic

In order to start driving on a machine in which an automatic box is installed, follow the steps in the following order:

• Press the brake pedal.
• Selector move to the "drive" position.
• Remove from the parking brake.
• Slowly release the brake. The car will start to move slowly.
• Press the accelerator pedal.
• To reduce the speed, you need to throw gas. If you need a quick stop, then be sure to use the brake.
• To start after a minor stop, you just need to move your foot from the brake to the accelerator.

The basic rule of using automatic transmissions is to avoid sudden maneuvers. If you constantly do them, this will lead to an increase in the gap between the friction discs, and then in the differential. All this will lead to the fact that the car will twitch during each shift.

Experienced masters believe that the machine should be given a short "rest." This means that the car should be allowed to move at idle for a few seconds. It is worth noting that even in cars with a powerful engine, sudden movements will significantly reduce the service life of the box.

Operation of the machine in the winter

In fact, this moment is very important, because most of these boxes break in the winter. First of all, this is due to a significant drop in temperature and the fact that cars often stalled on the ice. In order to maximally protect your car from damage, you should follow the following recommendations:

• Before the onset of cold weather, check the quality and level of the fluid in the box, and replace if necessary;
• Be sure to warm up the car before you start the movement;
• If the car is stuck, do not press on the gas in the hope of leaving.It is worth trying to lower the transfer (if there is such an opportunity) or just push;
• Only use low gears before a sharp turn.

What not to do

What you should not do in a car with an automatic transmission:

1. First of all, you should not heavily load the box, if the machine is not warmed to the required level. Even if the temperature is above zero in the street, the first few kilometers, the movement should be smooth and measured.
2. Automatic very "does not like" off-road. Cars with a gun, it is best to go around roads with poor pavement. If the “iron horse” is stuck, it is sometimes better to resort to using shovels than to put pressure on the gas.
3. It is not recommended to expose the automatic transmission to high loads. If there were plans to tow a trailer, it is better to throw them out of my head.
4. It is strictly forbidden to start a car with the so-called pusher. Many people violate this ban, but it is worth remembering that without a trace for a box this will not work.

Of course, we must not forget about the individual features of switching between modes:

• on the “neutral” one can remain only if the brake is pressed;
• on the "neutral" to jam the car is prohibited;
• it is allowed to turn off the engine only in the “parking” position;
• when the car is in motion, it is impossible to move the lever to the "parking" and "backward" positions.

Summing up, it is worth noting that the automatic box may seem rather “picky” and having a small resource. In fact, if it is properly exploited, it will please its owner for a very long time.

Video: how to use the automatic transmission