Tutorial: How to Use Automatic Gearbox

Using of automatic transmission facilitates car driving remarkably. There is a myth that automatic gearbox is loved more by ladies, than men. But this is wrong belief. It appears that men even in bigger quantity wish to get the car with an automatic transmission.

The instruction how to use an automatic transmission can be difficult. Therefore we decided to give simple and practical advice about the use of automatic gearboxes of different types. It is necessary to remember that today there are standard automatic transmissions, robotized gearboxes and continuously variable transmissions (CVT), each of which requires its own peculiarities of driving.

General recommendations to the driver of the car with an automatic transmission

The principle of use of the automatic gearbox is so simple that driving schools don't concern this subject even for a moment. But when the driver absolutely without understanding of a process gets into the car with the automatic gearbox, he simply doesn't understand what to do.

The first thing you must do is to learn automatic transmission designation. P is the letter which designate the parking lot (Parking). If the lever is on this mark, the car doesn't move, it can be started or stopped. R means the reverse gear (Reverse), D - forward movement (Drive), N - neutral drive which is present at not all automatic gearbox (Neutral). General technique of using of an automatic transmission is the following:

• ensure that the lever is on a mark P, and also study the lever stopper options (the button or a spring which needs to be pressed for movement of the lever);
• start the car, using the ignition key without pressing the pedals;
• squeeze the brake and transfer the lever to the position D or R (depending on where you want to go);
• smoothly release a brake pedal and regulate the speed of movement by an accelerator;
• at the traffic lights and short stops just press the brake pedal, but don't release it to the beginning of movement.

Using the automatic gearbox, it is important to accustom the left foot not to interfere with movement process. The brake pedal is quite big in such cars so if you will have reflex of pressing the clutch pedal as on a manual gearbox, there will be an unpleasant embarrassment. It is better not to touch the gearbox lever while driving. You shift in gear at the beginning of a trip, at the end - you throw out of gear.

Also on some gear boxes like Tiptronic you may be able to change gear manually. It is carried out by means of paddle shifters or on the box. In the first case everything is clear - press a paddle shifter to raise or lower the transmission. And in the second on a box in addition to the above there are still designations in numbers - 2, 3, 4. These numbers designate transmissions which you forcibly shift in gear.

Features of a trip with a continuously variable transmission

Today CVTs have no steps of gear shift. It provides smooth and soft trip, but also can deliver a certain discomfort to the driver who wishes a sports trip from the car. There is no opportunity to reset the transmission forcibly down, having received sharp speedup. Some manufacturers managed to introduce Kick-down system in variable transmissions, but it works much worse than at ordinary automatic gearbox.

It is necessary to observe the following refinements of car handling with variable transmissions:

• to maintain a safe trip;
• to avoid too sudden speedups on the route;
• touch the gear lever maximum rarely;
• not to start too smoothly, holding a brake pedal.

If you try to start very softly, constantly holding a brake pedal before dispersal, you'll receive fast abrasion of brake disks and possible malfunctions of a gear box. It is worth noticing that similar features aren't official recommendations. These are only practical remarks of owners of cars with variable transmission.

CVTs are very gentle, though they are popular in the modern automobile world. To use variable transmission rather conveniently, but it is necessary to get used to it.

Use of the robotized gearbox

The robotized gearboxes are inherently mechanical. Their system is realized so that the computer chooses the best moments for switching and creates comfortable conditions for the driver, providing low fuel consumption. For example, use of DSG robots from Volkswagen corporation allows to cut potential fuel consumption on cars on one liter. It is very notable economy if to consider that standard automatic gearboxes spend more fuel.

Features of use of the robotized gearboxes are the following:

• use of qualitative technologies of manual gearboxes;
• lack of harm for engine, long operation of the car;
• timely switching in any conditions;
• adaptive work of a box depending on intensity of a trip.

Robots are capable to adapt under use conditions. The more actively you want to go, the more they will hold drive and the quicker to dump down when overtaking. The robotized gearboxes seem to read the thoughts of the driver and get used to certain features of his habits. It is an amazing feeling when the car can read your mind.

Let's sum up the results

Varieties of automatic boxes really amaze modern motorist. But it has no practical value, after all to drive all cars with automatic gearboxes extremely easily and pleasantly. Convenient opportunities will provide optimum fuel consumption, small wear of the engine and soft operation of all the other parts.

The automatic transmission is not only convenient, but also is very favorable. After all you provide optimum expenses on operation of the car. Especially, if it is a question of modern automatic boxes with excellent technique and pleasant characteristics.