Driving an automatic transmission and a manual transmission are completely different things. Those who have driven cars with manual transmission for many years, at first cannot cope with automatic transmissions at all, since the specifics of driving are completely different.
You need to learn to drive an automatic transmission, and although it will not take much time, as when learning from scratch, you still cannot do without an automatic driving instructor, or a good friend who knows all the nuances of such driving. For example, the driving instructors in Voronezh are not bad; if you live there, then you can say that you are lucky in this regard.
Although there is another side to the coin. Drivers who drove an automatic transmission for a long time and then switched to a manual transmission simply could not drive, and there was only one reason: they simply did not know how to do it.
Forbidden taboos
We will not analyze all the nuances of driving an automatic transmission, we will analyze the taboos that should not be done when driving a car with an automatic transmission.
Be careful with parking.
The first thing that is prohibited and can lead to serious damage is turning on “parking” when the car is coasting. In this case, the parking mechanism may break miserably, in the literal sense of the word.
Unlike driving a car with a manual transmission, when many drivers coast downhill to save car fuel, driving an automatic transmission is not recommended in this way.
Usually, for such a drive, owners of cars with an automatic transmission, who have just gotten into such a car, turn on the “neutral” position, thinking that they are driving correctly, but as soon as they turn on the “drive” mode, a sharp shock may occur, which is caused by the lack of necessary conditions for inclusions.
Standing at a traffic light.
When driving a manual transmission, drivers usually place the gearbox on and off lever in the neutral position; in principle, this is correct.
Driving an automatic transmission around the city while stopping at traffic lights requires a different approach. When stopping at a traffic light, when driving an automatic transmission, it is not advisable to turn on the “parking” or “neutral” position, as this leads to a decrease in the service life of the automatic transmission. True, there is nothing critical here.
But when the car is in gear, only the torque converter and pump work in the automatic transmission. When you put it in neutral, a lot of automatic transmission elements begin to work and wear out. And you need it.
If you stand at a traffic light for a long time or just in a traffic jam, put the lever in the “parking” position; this is the best way out when driving an automatic transmission.
Drivers need to understand that driving an automatic transmission must be done very carefully, as improper operation can lead to serious damage that will require expensive repairs.
CARS WITH DSG AND CVT
As you understand, you can skid on an automatic transmission without harming the transmission. This may be due to the operating principle of the torque converter. By slipping, the main engine smoothes out shock loads. If the variator design requires the presence of a torque converter, then the car will endure trips on light off-road conditions much more calmly. But at the same time, you can only skid until the main engine is blocked. In general, you need to work with the gas pedal carefully to minimize increased loads on the belt and cones of the variator.
The disadvantage of the DSG device is precisely the absence of a torque converter. Therefore, clutch packs used in “wet” DSGs, as well as clutch discs of “dry” robotic gearboxes, experience increased loads on off-road roads.
Novice car enthusiasts ask experts “whether it’s possible to skid with an automatic transmission.” Even before the automatic machine entered the lives of modern car owners, there were many debates on this topic. Some experts were even inclined to believe that with two radiators on a frame SUV, you can overcome mud and swamps.
But, after several dozen experiments, experienced car owners can accurately answer that skidding or a sharp start can only be done by mechanics. The automatic is designed for city roads and does not tolerate swamps.
Parking on a slope
There are times when, when driving an automatic transmission, the car stands on a hill. The driver removes it from “parking” and at this time an unpleasant grinding noise is heard.
This may cause the parking tooth to grind because the car with an automatic transmission was parked correctly on the hill. In this case, the automatic transmission may break down. When a car with an automatic transmission is parked on a hill, you must first put it on the handbrake, and only then put it in “park”.
POPULAR WITH READERS: What kind of oil to fill in the automatic transmission of Mitsubishi Pajero 2/3/4
And when you start driving downhill or uphill, you first need to press the brake with your foot, remove the car from the handbrake, and only then move the automatic transmission lever to the “reverse” or “drive” position.
Automatic transmission slips: reasons
When the automatic transmission slips, you need to check the transmission oil. Pay attention to its level - it must correspond to the norm. If necessary, you need to change the oil or add it.
Sometimes more serious problems arise:
- Destruction of friction clutches, which are coupling elements (slippage begins when the engine is cold).
- The solenoids have become unusable (this problem manifests itself “when hot”).
- The hydraulic system has failed (this is a consequence of contamination of the oil pump channels).
- Air filter malfunction (the problem appears when the engine starts).
Next, we will tell you what a driver needs to do when dealing with various symptoms of slipping.
Hot
If the oil is changed, but the problem with slipping remains and the automatic transmission slips when hot, this is evidence of a failure of the solenoid block. Solenoids deteriorate due to the use of low-quality working fluid. You will have to change the electromechanical valves, because the service life of the solenoids is less than the service life of the gearbox. Before replacing the solenoid valves, it is worth measuring the pressure in the transmission system - this will help identify the cause of gearbox failure.
At reduced pressure (this is when the fractional gears slip when “hot”), we can say that the problem lies in the solenoids or in the oil supply pump. After replacing the faulty components, the operation of the automatic transmission is completely restored.
In the cold
If slipping occurs “when cold,” you need to check the friction discs installed on the planetary gearbox. Frictions work in a hard mode, so they wear out quite quickly. The nominal shelf life of friction clutches is 250,000 – 300,000 km. This is approximately the same as the entire automatic transmission, but the clutches can be destroyed long before the car covers the required distance.
When starting off
Slipping occurs when the gas pedal is pressed sharply. In this case, you can hear the sounds of rubbing elements that cannot “grab.” The clutch appears after slightly depressing the gas pedal. But if you do not release the gas, you can hear a strong blow in the area of the automatic transmission. Usually such problems appear in first gear.
A similar malfunction may not occur every time. For example, after leaving the garage there were extraneous sounds in the area of the automatic transmission, but during the second start of the engine there were no more sounds.
Using a special device, we determine the speed of the automatic transmission input shaft - if it corresponds to the speed of the engine crankshaft, the problem is slippage. A zero value indicates a faulty torque converter. One way or another, the automatic transmission needs to be repaired.
In all gears
When switching from one gear to any other, throttle shifting begins to occur. It's similar to pressing the clutch in a manual transmission without reducing the speed. The next gear then, of course, switches on, but only after a pause. If you press the gas pedal sharply, you can expect strong shocks. Slipping occurs precisely at the moment of switching gears - at other times the engine operates as usual.
Causes of automatic transmission slipping
The transmission is a rather complex system, so it can start to slip for many reasons.
Torque converter malfunction
Modern transmissions are hydraulic type systems, so a torque converter is used to transfer torque to the transmission. It is this unit that pressurizes the transmission fluid and provides hydraulic force to change gears. A faulty torque converter that has lost the ability to build up pressure may also be the culprit for transmission slipping.
Transmission belt problem
The key to normal transmission operation is perfectly adjusted belts. Otherwise, the gears begin to slip, causing slipping.
Worn gears
Worn gears and clutches, as well as worn belts, are among the main causes of transmission slippage. Worn gears cannot mesh properly, causing the automatic transmission to slip.
Reduced transmission fluid level
Another common cause of transmission slipping is considered to be an inappropriate level of transmission fluid, which negatively affects the operation of the gears.
If you find at least one of the above signs of transmission slipping, try to take the car to a repair shop as soon as possible to check the transmission.
How is automatic transmission diagnosed?
Only professional technicians can assess the scale of the problem and accurately identify faults in an automatic transmission. In the diagnostic process, an integrated approach is used, where, along with a computer assessment of the condition of components and assemblies, there is a visual inspection and assessment of the behavior of the automatic transmission on the move.
To avoid inaccurate diagnosis, reduce the likelihood of additional breakdowns and unnecessary costs, it is recommended to contact service centers. Only at a service station you will receive professional diagnostics using special equipment and software.
Brief summary
So, if we find out that deviations in the behavior of the car are associated with slipping of the automatic transmission, you should immediately go to a trusted service station to diagnose your gearbox.
It is diagnostics that allows you to clarify the diagnosis and begin troubleshooting, knowing what exactly will have to be changed. Since the operation of the automatic transmission is controlled by its own electronic unit, diagnostics cannot be performed using standard means - you need to have the appropriate equipment and software.
Sometimes this procedure does not reveal problems, and after replacing the TM and oil filter, the operation of the transmission returns to normal. But if there are symptoms of gear wear, then in most cases you have to solve the problem by completely disassembling the unit. In particular, this cannot be avoided if the valve body is faulty or if the friction rings are faulty.
It is impossible to estimate the budget for repair work in advance, since everything depends on the specific malfunction, and several of them may be discovered during the repair of the box.
Don’t be surprised if it turns out that even the operation of changing transmission oil will cost much more than when changing the oil in the power unit - the complexity of this operation is corresponding, which has a decisive influence on pricing.
The appearance of slipping symptoms indicates that problems already exist, and repairs most likely cannot be avoided. But if you strictly adhere to the automaker’s recommendations regarding the operation and maintenance of an automatic transmission, then you can be sure that the gearbox will serve you no less than the stated period. This means that you will be able to do without expensive repairs, which are unlikely to be carried out on your own.
Repair cost
The cost of repairs for a slipping transmission depends on the specific breakdown. In some cases, this problem can be eliminated by replacing the transmission oil and filter elements. In this case, the cost of work with spare parts will not exceed 5,000-10,000 rubles. At the same time, if there are problems with the valve body, clutches or control unit, the cost of repairs can amount to several tens of thousands of rubles. Remember that the exact cause of a breakdown can only be determined by carrying out the most detailed diagnostics. It is after such a diagnosis that an experienced specialist will tell you the amount of repairs and only after that will begin to fix the breakdown.
When planning repair work on the gearbox, it is necessary to remember that the automatic transmission is a complex structural element, the quality of which can only be serviced and repaired by experienced specialists. That is why we do not recommend that you skimp on the quality of repairs and trust garage specialists to fix problems. Only by contacting specialized service centers, you will be able to completely eliminate existing problems in the operation of gearboxes and receive a guarantee for the repairs performed.
The automatic transmission is slipping: what to do?
A comprehensive assessment of the condition of the automatic transmission will help identify the true cause of slippage. It happens that the damage is not mechanical, but is associated with the failure of the electronic control unit or ECU. As a result of such a breakdown, the electronics transmit incorrect signals to mechanical components, which leads to problems with gear shifting, slipping or other inconveniences.
In such cases, the electronic control unit must be replaced, which leads to the restoration of the unit’s functionality. You can identify a faulty ECU using computer diagnostics.
