I'm new to automatics. My lack of knowledge about auto transmissions leads me to ask some very basic questions.
1. Can anyone confirm it is bad to tow automatic trans vehicles. (Garages refuse to tow)
2. Is it also bad to coast in Neutral? (I had to do this when 'limping home' after engine trouble).
3. Is it possible to 'push-start' an auto trans vehicle if the battery is flat or is the battery jump start the only method.
4. Should the gear be in Parking or Neutral when starting up the engine, turning off the engine and when idling. Or does it not matter?
- (#7907) Peter Dawson, 2 Apr 03 7:24
1. yes
2. yes by way of not having drive control
3. no
4. Either but it's good practice to leave in Park as it provides a brake (You also need to leave in Park to remove the key)
- (#7908) Ian Dunse, 2 Apr 03 8:11
Splendid advice from Ian as usual but, as you are new to this superior drive system Peter, don't forget, never put the gear lever into PARK, if the vehicle is moving or, even just coasting to a stop into a parking bay as you can damage the gearbox. Make sure that the vehicle is stopped before you select park. It is a kind of brake but, unlike the drum or disc brakes on the vehicle, it is a positive location of a "sprag" into some gear teeth and just replicates the effect of leaving a manual box in gear when parked.
Ref the towing question, a vehicle with an automatic box CAN be towed but, the propshaft has to be disconnected or, the driven wheels lifted off the ground. If the driving wheels "drive" the auto gearbox, ie, towing without the above precautions, the internal gearbox oil pump will not be operating and the box will suffer through lack of lubrication.
- (#7909) John Davis, 2 Apr 03 8:57
Thanks for your replies. To summarise:
1. Bad because oil pump is not working (only works when engine is running).
2. Bad for the same reason as 1.
3. No push-start possible.
4. I'm still not clear. Ian says 'either', John says 'effect of leaving in gear'. So is it essential/preferable to have the gear in Neutral BEFORE starting engine and while running (also during maintenance including when the gearchange console is off therefore handbrake disabled - wheels chocked). Also to turn engine off BEFORE putting into park.
- (#7910) Peter Dawson, 2 Apr 03 10:22
"So is it essential/preferable to have the gear in
Neutral BEFORE starting engine".
Yes, or Park. Try an experiment. Put the gear lever into D and try to start the car. You will see that, with an auto box, there is an inhibitor switch which does not allow you to start the engine. This covers all of the gears including reverse. Starting can (should) only be possible in PARK and NEUTRAL. Imagine the consequences of being able to start an auto in gear. No clutch to seperate the drive and, if your foot happened to be on the throttle, the back end of the car in front (or a brick wall) would come up very quickly.
It is essential to have the VEHICLE stationary before engaging PARK. You can engage park with the engine running because the PARK facility operates on the output (drive) end of the gearbox but, good practice dictates that engaging PARK is best when everything is stationery and the handbrake is on.
Quite soon Peter you will wonder why you ever put up with that tiresome business of fiddling with a gear stick, at, sometimes, around fifty times a mile in heavy and slow moving traffic.
- (#7911) John Davis, 2 Apr 03 12:33
I'm already a convert to automatic transmission - I also have a 125cc scooter (auto trans) which is so simple, responsive & stress free to use and leaves all vehicles (including motorbikes) behind at the traffic lights. Thanks Ian & John for sharing your knowledge.
- (#7912) Peter Dawson, 2 Apr 03 17:46