Today, many of the vehicles offered for sale are equipped with automatic transmissions. This is convenient, as there is no need to be distracted by squeezing the clutch and switching the lever steps. But there are also pitfalls. For example, a driver on the go can switch the selector of automatic transmissions to the P or R position. In what situations is this possible, and what to expect in the end?
Switching the selector of «automaton» in the wrong mode is usually possible in the following cases:
- The man for the first time drove a car with automatic transmission, but before he often was using the manual transmission. Reflexes are still strong, wants to squeeze something, and switch. What can I say – be more careful, more consciously, you will have to seriously change your driving skills, previously acquired.
- In a rush – sometimes the car has not stopped, and the driver is already trying to turn the parking mode or even reverse. Such haste behind the wheel is sometimes expensive – even more expensive than damaged equipment.
- Dashing race and desire to make a maneuver is similar to a police turn. Car with automatic transmissions is not a circus elephant and the road is not an arena. To start something like this is obviously not safe as for the technique, as for the surrounding society.
- Car jamming in snow or mud – the driver by habit can start driving «in the race».
How to evaluate the design features of the transmission?
Modern auto with automatic transmission does not have a mechanical linkage of the lever with the box itself, and electronics is able to protect you from all problems. Turn on the wrong mode like fantasy. But there are nodes where the selector of the automatic is connected to the transmission by a cable drive. Similar design solution has automatic transmission locking in P position.
Fortunately, it is very easy to evaluate the presence of the cable drive. There are some signs that are tested in practice:
- When the car is on a slope, the selector is very difficult to move out of parking mode. The fact is that the retainer has firmly entered the cavity of the gear wheel located on the secondary shaft. When the machine is trying to roll at this time, the release of the lock is complicated. To move the selector, you need to apply force.
- This test method is not recommended, although it works. When driving slowly, turn on the parking mode. If the lever and the transmission are connected by the same rope, it sounds like a crunch. It is clicking the retainer on the teeth. The checkpoint is unlikely to break immediately, but the sound still has a negative effect on the nerves (and the budget as well).
The second method of checking the transmission is not recommended because the crunch is guaranteed to produce chips. This is an excellent abrasive that will sharpen the parts of the unit, forming new chips. Ideally, the oil needs to be urgently replaced, and completely.
And is it possible to estimate where exactly are the cable-driven clamps – on which transmission or even on which cars? Of course, here is a list, and it is not just hydromechanical transmission:
- Machines with the popular French 4-speed automatic machines DP0/DP2 and DP8. With such transmissions ride many Renault, Peugeot and Citroen.
- Hyundai Solaris and Kia Rio.
- Jatco JF011E. Renault, Mitsubishi, Nissan, Jeep, Dodge, Peugeot, Citroen. Even Mercedes-Benz С-class 3 generation (W204) rides with this variator.
Reverse and Parking
However, it is not possible to reverse in such cars. The boxes of the mentioned types are transferred to the rear not by cable, but by valves of the hydraulic unit. The same, in turn, controls the electronics. It will not allow trouble. As a result, it is dangerous to include only parking on automatic transmission (P) while moving. But even here, the momentary failure of the node will not happen, although the wear will increase very much. Switch modes of the «automatic» only after a complete stop! Otherwise valuation cost of cars will be significantly reduced.
