Question re Automatic Transmission Driving Technique

[redorange]

The whole point of getting an autotransmission is so you won't have to shift gears. So unless you will be at stop for extended period of time leave it in D. O/D can be left on for most of the driving situations so you can save gas, turn it off if you will be going up any mountains or steep hills. Do not down shift from D to 2 if you want to pass just step on the gas pedal and it will downshift on it's own. I've had several car's with autotrans and unless you drive it w/o trans fluid and abuse it completely it will last as long as your car. Shifting between P, N, D while at a stop will just speed up the wear on your transmission and also increase the chances of you accidentally shifting it into R and hitting the car behind you. Also, don't put it in N going downhills unless you want to damage your transmission when you shift to D while moving. Otherwise, read your owners manual on how to use your car.

[nugundam93]

redorange: imo your post wraps up the thread nicely. :D

[eclipseds]

Except that accidental shifting from N to R is virtually impossible as this requires you to press the shift lock before you can move to R or P for that matter. The wear from shifting to N from D is as much as shifting back, or from 1 to 2 to 3 and so forth. Parts move, hence the wear, it's just a natural phenomenon. Keeping it in D while in stop keeps the gear engaged, much like pressing on the clutch lever while the gear is in shift (for M/T), but this doesn't mean that wearing of parts is eliminated. If you keep it in D while at stop though, make sure to keep your foot on the brake pedal lest you risk hitting the car (or thing) in front of you.

[matty]

how about trans fluid maintenance? is checking it as easy as checking the engine oil? Sorry kung naligaw na yung topic. kasi sa owner's manual ang daming pinapagawa before you can accurately say that kulang na ang trans fluid. is the step to check it the same for all brand of cars? baka meron ditong mga city owners. pahingi naman ng inputs. thanks!

[eclipseds]

Your manual should have a section discussing this. It's different among brands but if just checking the fluid, it's about the same for the most part.

When checking, it requires you to attain a specific temperature (65 deg C, not sure exactly). Taking it for a quick spin should do the trick, then, let it sit idle for at least a couple of minutes. The dip stick has several grooves and the fulid level should be within the first and the middle (or top if there are only two, I have 3 in mine) grooves. Ideally, it should be closer to the middle (or topmost) groove. Again, your manual should tell you more and it could be different that what I just stated.

[nugundam93]

just to rant...

it's a b1atch to put the atf disptick back in sa 4m40 pajero. hehehe. :lol:

[OTEP]

nugundam,

Use a funnel.

[niky]

Hehe... still have a plastic funnel from the time I had an AT car. :lol:

[coca-cola]

ako den may tanong mga ser...

eto sken:
P-R-N-D4-D3-2-1
ano ba dapat lagi kong gamit? D4 or D3?
para san ung 2 and 1?

ano pipiliin ko pag downhill?
e pag uphill?

tsaka...

if your tranny is:

having a strong jerk from first to second gear
and
pag nasa "D" then naka-tapak sa brake pero may strong noise
na parang gusto ng tumakbo (mas malakas sa noise and jerk ng naka-brake while nasa "R")

mga sign ba ng sirang transmission yan? or worn out?
if yes, pano gagawen? pano aayusin?

or hindi kaya sa differential? what do you think?


SALAMAT MGA SER..

[OTEP]

Try to backread the thread first.

D4 is for everyday use.

D3 is only up to third gear (you use it for climbing or descending grades when you feel that the tranny is constantly shifting between gears).

2 is up to second gear only

1 is first gear

Use them in situations when you do not want the vehicle to shift to a higher gear (e.g. when you are having difficulty with a steep grade).

Check the allowed top speeds for each gear.

[kyle618]

i usually put in N when its a long stop pero kung stop and go i just leave it in D. pero kakatamad na talaga paminsan kaya i just leave it in N.

i have a friend who accidentally shifted from D to R!! while going downhill in batangas!! he hearda loud crunching sound and the car died ... pero nagstart ult although his exped's transmission isnt as smooth as before.

[slyfox]

some cars don't have OD or HOLD switches on them. instead they have AUTOMATIC POWER or simply POWER. when are these used naman? TIA

[niky]

i usually put in N when its a long stop pero kung stop and go i just leave it in D. pero kakatamad na talaga paminsan kaya i just leave it in N.

i have a friend who accidentally shifted from D to R!! while going downhill in batangas!! he hearda loud crunching sound and the car died ... pero nagstart ult although his exped's transmission isnt as smooth as before.

That guy got lucky (but only a little bit, as it sounds like there's some moderate damage). I know of someone who shifted into "R" in Tagaytay and blew out the transmission. Freaking expensive problem... especially as it was an INVECS.

[miket7]

i used to leave the gear on D all the time before because that's the whole purpose of the auto transmission. one day, however, when i brought my daughter to school, i let go of just a liitle pressure on the brakes when she reached forward to kiss me goodbye. good thing, the pajero i hit from behind only had a minor scratch on its bumper and the owner just let it go. my galant vr v6, however, had a huge dent on its nose... and that from a full stop.

now, whenever, i make a long stop, it has become a habit to shift to N and pull the handbrake. You also give your leg a rest, at the same time.

[Jun aka Pekto]

i used to leave the gear on D all the time before because that's the whole purpose of the auto transmission. one day, however, when i brought my daughter to school, i let go of just a liitle pressure on the brakes when she reached forward to kiss me goodbye. good thing, the pajero i hit from behind only had a minor scratch on its bumper and the owner just let it go. my galant vr v6, however, had a huge dent on its nose... and that from a full stop.

now, whenever, i make a long stop, it has become a habit to shift to N and pull the handbrake. You also give your leg a rest, at the same time.

You're not supposed to let anyone off the car unless the car is in Park to avoid just that sort of thing.

If the driver behind you don't like it, tough noogies on him. If I tried that here whenever I dropped of my kid, I'd get chewed out by the drop-off attendants.

[66bunny]

1. Put it in "D". Drive away.
2. If there's a long stop, put it in "N". A friend bump a car cause he fell asleep and he forgot he left it in "D".
3. Check weekly your AT fluid level.

The 1 and 2 are for uphill driving. If the car is having a hard time, put it in 2, it will remain in 2. Kung kulang pa, move to 1.

Regarding shifting often from D to N or vice-versa and causing damage in the end, my opinion is: that's what gears for! Automatic trannies were invented so a driver is free from a clutch pedal.

Just maintain a good level of AT fluid and you'll be OK regardless of shifting most of the time or not.

[artpogi]

I know of someone who shifted into "R" in Tagaytay and blew out the transmission. Freaking expensive problem... especially as it was an INVECS.

just a stupid question lang, how could they possibly make that error?

ano yun mental lapse or they were playing with the gears while moving or something?

[alwayz_yummy]

sir niky, grabe naman trip nung kilala mo...may 2fast-2furious and tokyo-drift fever ata yun!

back to topic >

everyday driving, just D and 1/8-1/4 press on the gas...iwasan umabot sa kalahati(or watch your revs na di lalagpas ng 2000-2500rpm) and let the tranny speed up.

wag mo agad press, sayang gas at di agad ang response mg matic(compared to manual)

weekly check ng ATF level/condition and SMELL...yearly(expensive) or 2-years(just right) or 4-years(medyo expensive) ka magpalit ng ATF of RIGHT SPECS ACCORDING SA DIPSTICK/MANUAL pero kung 5-up years(very expensive) ka magpalit, dami mo babaklasin...

just maintain a 2000-2500 rpm or 80kph sa highway, tipid ka sa gas/crudo, plan your moves/trips (overtaking turnings,etc) minimize overtaking.. and have a steady pace.

pag paahon, try to select the next lowest first, but when halted to standstill on an extreme incline use 1 or L then gradually up the gear.

and yun nga, pag traffic/stoplight mag-N kayo nang di nyo mabungo at sisihin ang kaharap nyu..(biktima ako nito...sinisi ba naman akong umatras!)

[xandertrademark]

what he mean..

mahirap mag shift from P to R while in P
talagang masisira yung transmisson.... so costly...

better to stop totally then shift...

[edpsison]

I have a delica 4 x 4 (automatic) for five years, the problem am encountering now was everytime I press the accelerator running of 80~100 kph suddenly engine will shift to lower gear and upon release a bit of the accelerator then it will increase the speed. Can anyone help me if what is the problem? Is it my auto-transmission is to be overhaul. Please help guys.. thx a lot