How to blow up an automatic transmission in 5 steps

According to former AEA (Brazilian Association of Automotive Engineering) President Edson Orikassa, it would theoretically be possible to make an automatic car that “takes the step”.

However, the mechanical engineer and technical director of the SAV Motors Do Brazil notes that this tactic is unlikely to be successful.

He notes that the fuel injection system also requires electricity to operate.

Furthermore, the risk of blowing up the transmission is very high and the attempt is not worth it.

“Even if you can put the transmission in the ‘N’ position to get the car moving and then select the ‘D’ position, I don’t recommend trying it,” warns Orikasa.

• According to engineer Erwin Franieck, member of SAE Brasil, one of the risks of trying to get the engine to ‘take the jump’ is breaking the timing belt
• Responsible for synchronizing the opening and closing of valves, this belt may already be worn out.
• The risk of breakage increases if the “pull” is too strong

When the belt breaks, the valves stop while the pistons are still moving. Therefore, the risk of one or more pistons colliding and bending is high, especially if we take into account the high compression ratio of today’s engines. Erwin Franek, from SAE Brazil

According to Frankiek, the The potential for damage increases if the engine is dieselwhich has a higher compression ratio

There is also a risk Damage to other parts, such as pistons and connecting rods, which may require an overhaul of the engine. These alerts are valid for both manual and automatic cars.

“If the battery is dead, it is recommended to make a” pacifier “, connecting it to a charged one or to a portable fast charger. If the battery does not hold the charge, it will be necessary to change it for a new one, “orikasa advises.

3 – Ignore the transmission oil change

• Many believe that automatic transmissions are maintenance free and this belief can generate huge losses on the road.
• The automatic transmission contains gears and other parts that need good lubrication
• The specifications and deadlines for changing the fluid are indicated in the vehicle manual and must be respected.
• Service can be expected, depending on vehicle usage conditions.
• It is worth noting that some models do not have an oil change recommendation, which is supposed to last for the useful life of the vehicle.
• However, this does not mean that the automatic transmission is free from lubrication problems.

There may be some leakage which reduces the lubricant level and increases the friction between the internal parts and raises the temperature, which is a big evil when it comes to automatic cars.” Edson Orikasa, engineer

The specialist notes that, in addition to a decrease in the level, The gearbox oil may receive some kind of contamination by external factorsWhich reduces its efficiency.

“It is worth checking the lubricant during revisions. If it has a dark appearance, this may indicate that it no longer has the necessary lubricating properties.”

Oil problems have common symptoms, such as bumps when changing gears. The transmission can also “slip”, that is, when it takes a few moments to accelerate the car to drive the wheels.

4 – “hold” the car on the bump with the accelerator pedal

• A common mistake in manual cars is to keep the car stationary on an incline by pedaling the clutch pedal and accelerator pedal.
• This practice causes the clutch to blow out, and if repeated, the element will be prematurely replaced.
• Automatic cars can also remain stationary on a bump without requiring the driver to operate brakes
• Depending on the slope, deceleration is sufficient to “hold” the vehicle
• In other cases, just apply light pressure on the accelerator pedal for this to happen.
• Although conventional automatic cars use a torque converter, which is not subject to mechanical wear like a clutch, keeping it engaged in the manner described above is a “shaver”.

Using deceleration or acceleration to “grip” will heat the transmission oil and increase fuel consumption unnecessarily. Claudio Castro. From SAE Brazil

The expert recommends keeping your foot on the brake whenever the vehicle stops, such as at a traffic light, regardless of the road’s slope.

“This way, the torque converter is disengaged and the engine is free, without wasting fuel.”

5 – Put the gearbox in neutral when stopping at a traffic light

• Drivers accustomed to manual vehicles are accustomed to putting the gearbox in neutral when stopped at traffic lights or in traffic jams.
• Practice is correct, in this way the driver stops depressing the clutch pedal while stopping, while maintaining the component
• However, on automatic cars, the recommendation is different: the correct thing is to keep the gear lever in the “D” position and your foot on the brake pedal.

“Keep it in the ‘D’ position with your foot on the brake, as this keeps the hydraulic system pressurized and the components lubricated. The lubrication of many automatic transmissions depends on the contact of the wheels,” Claudio Castro informs.

Camilo Addas, Consultant at SAE Brasil, adds that the “N” (Neutral) function was created for maintenance situations, when it is necessary to tow or move the vehicle with the engine off, freeing the drive wheels

Some cars have technology that automatically disengages the transmission, even when the car is moving, to save fuel.

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