Today, half of all new vehicles sold in Brazil come equipped with some form of automatic transmission. This is according to a survey conducted in 2019. Automatic vehicles should prevail. in our traffic.

Anyone who drives in heavy traffic and faces congested roads knows that although it consumes more fuel, this type of technology is literally a lifesaver when it comes to providing comfort to the driver. 

It is also true and important to state that automatic transmissions tend to be less expensive to maintain.

However, when a problem arises, the costs required for repairs are much higher than with manual cars. 

So we at Senhor Carros sought out experts on the subject to show you the five main mistakes you shouldn't make to maintain the quality and longevity of your automatic transmission and, as a bonus, save a good amount of money. 

Ready to check out our tips?

Discover now which mistakes you shouldn't make to keep your car's automated transmission running smoothly and functioning at its best.

You must be thinking:

"Those guys at Senhor Carros have gone crazy. You can't get an automatic car started by push-starting it."

Well... We regret to inform you that yes!

A car with an automatic transmission can be bump-started. 

However, This practice should be avoided. to the maximum extent possible due to the risks it may pose to the exchange rate.

The most important thing is to never leave the transmission in the P position while the vehicle is moving, as this can cause the wheels to lock up and damage the transmission and even the engine. 

The P position on the transmission activates a pin responsible for locking the shaft that connects the transmission to the engine, and a sudden impact can cause it to break.

You should only try to jump-start an automatic car if it's your last resort. 

To perform this maneuver, the selector must first be placed in N.

Next, as soon as the vehicle reaches a speed of 20 km/h, you need to shift the selector to D or 2. This is the safe way to jump-start an automatic car. 

Even so, it's important to keep in mind that this jolt, although safe, puts stress on the engine and transmission components, and if done continuously, it can cause problems. 

If the battery is dead, the ideal solution is to jump-start it or charge it using specialized equipment. The jolt is much worse for an automatic transmission than for a manual one. 

As many know, automatic transmissions are not limited to cars. Today many pickup trucks They have the device installed. 

One of the mistakes that many owners fail to notice is driving with loads exceeding those specified in the owner's manual. 

Carrying excess weight primarily compromises safety, as it increases the braking distance and also poses a risk of tipping over if the load is too high. 

In the case of transmissions, continuous stress combined with excess weight leads to premature wear of parts, reducing the lifespan of the component, which will then require maintenance.

The result: Unexpected expenses that could have been avoided. 

Even in 2020, there are still people who believe the myth that coasting in neutral brings... fuel economy. 

In cars with carburetors this is somewhat true, but in cars with electronic fuel injection and automatic transmission this is utter nonsense. 

Leaving the transmission in neutral (N) while driving actually causes the vehicle to consume more fuel, compromises safety, and damages the transmission system. 

Putting the transmission in Neutral causes fuel consumption to be higher than if it were in gear.

The electronic fuel injection system is calibrated to detect that the "car is stationary" and injects more fuel into the engine than it would if it were running in a high gear at low RPM – something common, especially on highways. 

If you are going downhill and put the gearshift in neutral (N), the wheels will have free traction.

This ends up overloading the brakes, which can overheat and lose efficiency, increasing the risk of accidents. 

Leaving the vehicle in neutral and then re-engaging the automatic transmission while still in motion damages all the gears in the transmission. This is a dangerous and harmful practice that should be avoided. 

Let he who has never, in a moment of haste, put the car in reverse while it was still moving, cast the first stone! 

Unfortunately, this is a common and harmful practice. When maneuvering in a hurry, many people end up engaging reverse gear while the car is still moving forward. 

The jolt resulting from this habit causes damage to the transmission system and, over time, can lead to a serious failure that is not at all cheap to repair. 

Furthermore, selecting the P position while the car is still in motion is another habit that should be avoided. 

In this case, there is no overload on the transmission itself, but rather on the locking mechanism that protects the transmission from damage caused by any movement while the car is parked. 

If this lock is continuously forced, it may break. Therefore, it is important to ensure that the vehicle is completely stopped before placing the lever in the R or P position. 

Many owners of vehicles with automatic transmissions believe that this type of item does not require regular maintenance, which is a mistake. 

Like other components, the transmission requires regular lubrication and maintenance. The specifications and intervals for fluid changes are indicated in the owner's manual and must be respected. 

In addition, the oil change may need to be brought forward depending on the vehicle's usage conditions.

It is important to note that some models do not include an oil change recommendation, which is supposed to last for the entire lifespan of the vehicle. 

However, this does not mean that automatic transmissions are free from lubrication problems.

Ultimately, leaks can occur, reducing the lubricant level, which increases friction between internal parts and can cause premature wear of the transmission. 

Therefore, during maintenance checks, it's highly recommended to perform a transmission fluid check. 

If it has a darkened appearance, this means that it no longer has the necessary characteristics for lubrication. 

Problems with the transmission fluid cause common noticeable signs such as jerking during gear changes.

In addition, the transmission can also slip. That is, when pressing the accelerator, the wheels may take a few moments to engage. 

That's why it's important not to neglect proper currency exchange procedures. 

Like all vehicle components, the automatic transmission also deserves full attention.

Ultimately, any problem with it can impair the proper functioning of the vehicle and put all occupants at risk. 

Is your car automatic or manual? Which type of transmission do you prefer? Leave a comment telling us your preference! 

And since we're talking about automatic transmission care, how about checking out some maintenance tasks you can do yourself at home to take care of your car and save some money?

To access this very special content, just click below!