1. Do not switch to neutral again and again at traffic lights
Many people think that changing the gear from D (drive) to N (neutral) at a red light saves petrol. But automatic cars are built in such a way that they remain safe even when stopped by pressing the brakes in drive mode. Frequent gear changes place unnecessary stress on the internal parts of the gearbox and can cause them to wear out quickly.
2. Do not ignore gearbox service
There is a special oil (transmission fluid) inside the automatic gearbox which keeps it cool and smooth. If you do not change this oil on time, there may be jerks in gear shifting and the gearbox may overheat and get damaged. Therefore, get it serviced at the time specified by the company.
3. Misuse of accelerator on slopes
Holding down the accelerator to prevent the car from rolling backward on a hill or slope can be dangerous. This can cause the gearbox to overheat and burn out the clutch plates. Always use the brake pedal or hill-hold assist feature to bring the car to a stop. These are made to be used at such times only.
4. Do not change gears before the car stops
Many times people change gears in a hurry before the car comes to a complete stop, such as from drive to reverse gear or from reverse to drive gear. Doing this causes a sudden shock on the gears of the gearbox. Always allow the car to come to a complete stop only then change gears.
5. Don’t rely solely on brakes when going downhill
Continuously pressing the brakes while descending a long slope can cause the brake pads to heat up and fail. In such a situation, use manual mode or lower gear (L or S mode) of the car. This is called engine braking, due to which the speed of the car is controlled through the engine and the brakes remain safe.
