4 Things You Should Never Do While Driving an Automatic Car

Automatic gearboxes are a lifesaver for novice drivers. It's simple, quick, and nerve-free! However, many drivers are still discovered to be using them wrongly. Even though it may appear to be simple, several improper practises might cause the automatic gearbox to fail. And after it's been broken, you'll have to replace parts in order to restore it.

The introduction of automatic transmission engines drastically transformed the car industry. It removed the perplexing clutch mechanism, making driving easier and more approachable, especially for beginners.

If you check MOT history of your car and see that the transmission has appeared often, it might be worthwhile speaking to your mechanic as there may be several or one complex components at fault

The invention, however, brought with it new obstacles. When driving these cars, improper handling might result in costly damage. However, following basic procedures and using common sense can help you get the most out of an automatic gearbox car.

The following are four things you should never do while driving an automatic car:

1.     Before coming to a complete stop, engaging P (park)

Always remember that while driving an automatic, you should only engage the gearbox to P (Park) when your vehicle has come to a complete stop. The reason for this is that if you change the gear to P while the car is moving, the parking pawl may be destroyed. The component causes the automatic gearbox to lock up. It effectively disables the transmission, preventing the car from driving forward or backwards. If you are already experiencing this problem, look online for a car garage near me and book a mechanic to fully diagnose and repair the issue.

2.     At traffic lights, switching to 'neutral'

According to some experts, putting your car in 'drive' at a stoplight might cause the transmission to wear out. They may have a point, but in our opinion, keeping the gear in D is the best option. Why? Because when the light turns green, you can forget that the gear is in N. As a result, you'll waste more fuel by revving the engine to no avail. There's also a potential that if you press on the accelerator while in neutral, your engine will get a touch too rev-happy. Then, in your fear, you change into D, which causes your car to lunge forward. Search for car services in Reading and book your car in for the recommended manufacturer service schedule for your automatic transmission.

3.     While the car is moving, changing gears

When parking their cars, some drivers may change gear while the vehicle is still moving. Switching gears whilst the car is still in motion is a bad habit to get out of since it might harm your vehicle's gearbox. You should wait for the car to come to a complete stop before changing from D to R or vice versa. If your car is unable to go into D or R during an MOT test, the examiner will not be able to complete the necessary checks and will result in either a NO MOT or an MOT failure. To avoid this check MOT status of your vehicle and have a trained technician diagnose and repair your gearbox issues.

4.     In neutral, coasting

It's been suggested that coasting in neutral might save you money on fuel. While this is true, coasting in neutral is not something you should do. This is due to the fact that you are not in complete control of the car. If your gear is in D, you can react faster and safer, much as when driving a manual. Modern automatic engines, on the other hand, are intended to be fuel-efficient even while the gear is in D.