AT stopping distance?

[pentium9]

I learned a lot from this site

Anyway, instead of starting another thread, just want to ask regarding emergency stopping a vehicle with AT if it looses its brakes? (specially running at highways or EX way)

Safety First! yes,, it is.. but what if that happen? AFAIK, MT can be slowed by the lower gears? How about for AT? Can one shift to P for emergency stopping of the car? (to save life.....at least)

Thanks in advance!

[mbeige]

Shifting to P while driving will take out the parking pawl and eventually ruin your transmission. That's why you can't shift to P from D without pressing the button, failsafe mechanism yan.

Think of it this way, the brakes and transmission do not directly increase the grip or the stopping force. What actually does that is your tires. If your tires are at its max decelerating rate, shifting to a lower gear (AT or MT) will not help. So to answer your question if you lose your brakes, put on the hazards, let faster vehicles pass you and wait for a good, long opening, then shift to the next lower gear (when driving an AT make sure you know the gear's speed limits - check your owner's manuals) until you can shift another gear down or until you get to the shoulder safely. Shift to P or N and activate the handbrake, then get out of the vehicle and stay as far away from it and call for help, some reckless drivers might plow into you (passing on the shoulder, etc).

ABS increases stopping distance too. The key is to mash the brakes when using ABS, and use the steering wheel to steer away and avoid a collision.

[Yoda]

Safety First! yes,, it is.. but what if that happen? AFAIK, MT can be slowed by the lower gears? How about for AT? Can one shift to P for emergency stopping of the car? (to save life.....at least)

Shifting to P while in motion will almost guarantee ruining your transmission.

When you lose your brakes, the first option of course is the emergency or parking brake. If that's also gone, you can force an A/T to downshift by shifting to 2 or L (or equivalent). There are maximum speed ranges for each gear, so you have to know them and keep in mind NOT to downshift if you're going faster than the limit. Of course, if there's no other way, go for it. A busted transmission is still better than losing yours or other people's lives. ;)

[mbeige]

Using the E-brake alone to stop the car also might force the car into a spin, especially if you had to avoid something. I'd use it as a last resort.

[pup2]

Hmm...good idea. I'll try coasting by just lifting the gas pedal fully.

Yes, I believe engine braking by shifting to lower D gears would be better than shifting to P -- pag nawala na nga naman tranny mo, wala ka ng engine brake.

[pentium9]

Thanks for the response guys!

I think I would go to forcing to lower gears instead...(just in case!) . I'll try to keep in mind all of your advise.

A part of defensive driving is being prepared and have the presence of mind in times of emergency.

[pup2]

Thanks for the response guys!

I think I would go to forcing to lower gears instead...(just in case!) . I'll try to keep in mind all of your advise.

A part of defensive driving is being prepared and have the presence of mind in times of emergency.

Yup. I don't think you need to put PHYSICAL force to put it in D1/D2 though. It'll go there even without pressing the button, I think. For sure that engine'll scream depending on your RPM though.