Before learning how to properly drive an automatic transmission, you need to understand how to use an automatic transmission. Although to control it in the car there is usually only one lever or joystick.
Along with the standard Parking (P), Drive (D), Reverse (R) and Neutral (N) lever positions, there are modes that limit upshifts. These selector positions are designated 1/L (Low), D2 (or 2D), 3D or 4D – the highest available level. On difficult off-road conditions, in muddy ruts or on ice, modes L and D2 are used. Position D3 is relevant during a long descent from a mountain, when active engine braking is required so as not to overheat the brakes and lose control of the car. It will also be relevant on an icy road, for example, in snowfall.
Older automatic transmissions, on the contrary, are equipped with a special overdrive gear to reduce fuel consumption at high speed. Usually it is turned on by the O/D (Overdrive) button. For the same purpose, an additional clutch began to block the torque converter while driving.
The next step was the introduction of electronics. With its help, in the most modern automatic transmissions, the driver can select preset switching algorithms in a special section of the car settings menu. For example, Off road, Eco or Snow.
Many automatic transmissions received Manual (M) or Sport (S) modes. The manual option of switching speeds on the M automatic transmission would seem to cancel the very idea of an automatic transmission. But it is good when driving in difficult conditions: on bad roads or off-road, when braking with the engine. In Sport mode, which not all gearboxes have either, the automatic allows the engine to rev in each gear to higher speeds than usual, which improves acceleration dynamics. But in return, it reduces the comfort of switching, during which slight jolts may be felt.
Some cars with such gearboxes are additionally equipped with so-called steering wheel paddles, with the help of which gears are changed manually. For sharp overtaking, you can, without taking your hands off the steering wheel, click the “petal” a couple of times so that the transmission shifts “down”.
And since we’re talking about speed, we can’t help but remember the KickDown mode. It turns on automatically when you press the gas pedal to the floor. The effect is the same – the automatic transmission switches to a lower gear, the engine speed is close to maximum and there is sharp acceleration.
Finally, the most “smart” modern automatic transmissions, working in conjunction with the engine control unit, have learned to adapt to the driving style of each driver. With such a transmission, the ride has become more comfortable, but the units themselves have become more complex, which means that the number of weak points in them has also increased.