Automatic gearbox is a one of the main
components of the modern motor vehicle. Compared to the conventional manual
gear box, it has benefits to the driver such as, no gear
shifting during driving and the ability to keep the left foot free.
Hence more concentration on driving is possible.
Fluid
Coupling (Torque Converter) : In manual gear system the clutch couples
and decouples the engine power transmission to the gear box. There is no clutch
in automatic gear system and instead of that there is a Torque Converter which
couples and decouples the engine with rear transmission using Automatic Transmission Fluid (ATF) as medium.
Although manual gear box
has a one reverse gear and four or five forward gear positions, automatic gear box has gear
positions such as B, P, R, N, D, 3, 2, 1.
Gear Positions :
L Lower gear position turns the transmission to remain in the first gear which provides engine braking effect.
L Lower gear position turns the transmission to remain in the first gear which provides engine braking effect.
S Sports mode is selected for more pick-up and power. Holds D range gears longer.
B Brake effect by the engine and battery charging position for downhill driving (Hybrid
Vehicles)
P Park gear position is selected to park the vehicle.
R Reverse gear position is selected to reverse the vehicle.
R Reverse gear position is selected to reverse the vehicle.
N Neutral gear position
disengages engine drive from rear transmission. Suitable to start the
vehicle.
D Drive gear position is selected to drive the vehicle forward. The gears will automatically be changed
according to the speed and load of the vehicle.
3 (3rd Gear) position is selected to drive the vehicle forward. Gears do not shift above 3rd gear position.
(Engages only 1st, 2nd and 3rd gears automatically).
2 (2nd Gear) position is selected to
drive the vehicle forward. Gears do not shift above 2nd gear position. (Engages
only 1st and 2nd gears automatically).
1 (1st Gear) position is selected to drive the vehicle in 1st gear.(Engages only the 1st gear.)
Shift
Button is pressed to move the gear shift lever when it is stuck or
immovable.
Over Drive (OD) is the highest forward drive gear
which is available when the OD switch is ON. Considering road
conditions OD switch may be kept ON or OFF.
Inhibitor
Switch allows
to start the vehicle only in P and N gear positions.
POWER Mode: Holds the D range gears longer. Suitable
for power and high speed driving.
ECO Mode: Sooner down shifting of forward gears. Saves fuel and suitable for slow running.
MANUAL Mode is selected to drive the
vehicle just as a manual gear vehicle.
Triptronic gear box has the facility
for both manual and automatic gears.
SAFETY PRECAUTIONS :
(1) Always ensure the correct transmission fluid level. The vehicle
won’t move when the engine runs, is an indication of low fluid level or clogged
fluid strainer. Running a vehicle with no or insufficient transmission fluid may
cause costly premature damage to the transmission.
(2) Do not drive
using both feet. Applying brakes while accelerating may damage the torque converter.
(3) Starting with gears in D position will make the vehicle move unless brakes are applied, may lead to a potential damage.
(4) Starting in D gear position when brakes are applied may cause damages to the automatic gear box.
(5) Long
periods of idling in D position (in stop-and-go traffic) can overheat
transmission fluid. Shift to N if the vehicle is to idle for more than few
minutes.
(6) When
the vehicle is unable to start and needs towing for a long distance always keep
propeller shaft (or CV joints) disconnected from the gear box. Otherwise tow
the vehicle lifting up from the driver wheels. Operating the auto gear
box when the engine is OFF may cause internal failure due to lack of
lubrication.
(7) When
parking the vehicle always keep hand brakes applied. In the Parking position a dowel pin is engaged with a gear wheel to stop further motion. When the vehicle is parked on
a gradient (without applying hand brakes) the turning force which acts on wheels due to the weight of the
vehicle will be transmitted to the above mentioned dowel pin and it may get stuck or break
instantly. A similar situation may arise when the wheel nuts are tightened with
gears in P position and hand brakes released.