Is it possible to slip on an automatic transmission and is it allowed to slip on an automatic transmission? Why you can’t slip on an automatic transmission Why does an automatic transmission break when it slips?
Despite the fact that the automatic transmission is no longer an innovation, drivers still often have little idea of what can be done in a car with such a box and what cannot be done. I’ve been driving an automatic for 5-6 years now and I can safely tell you that such cars are strictly for comfortable city driving. True, no exceptions. Even though you bought a huge car with an automatic transmission, the rule still applies.
Is it possible to slip on an automatic transmission?
It is worth understanding that an automatic transmission is far from a toy. Not only because of its price, but also because of its complexity. Torque is transmitted from the engine due to fluid pressure. I won’t go into science, because it’s difficult for an ordinary driver to understand all the processes. The bottom line is that there are 2 discs in the torque converter. They look at each other. They are the ones who send torque from the engine to the transmission. The first disc's job is to rotate, which creates fluid pressure. The second task is to make the second disk rotate.
An automatic transmission is fundamentally different from a manual one, and often the operating methods familiar to Zhiguli cars can kill it. How not to ruin a complex overseas transmission in muddy slurry, explains automobile expert Oleg Osipov.
An automatic transmission is a very complex mechanism consisting of several associated units. The engine transmits torque to the shaft and torque converter. It allows rotation in the box and converts it into planetary gears. And the gear shifts are controlled by friction mechanisms, very similar to interconnected clutch packs. And all this “iron” is bathed in oil, which is pumped in by a pump.
When the driver moves the selector to position D, the pump increases oil pressure, the clutches are activated, the planetary gears engage the gear and rotation from the shaft is transmitted to the wheels. Such a complex chain is calibrated electronically, and if something goes wrong, the box will experience increased load.
What happens when the driving wheels of a car with a gun get stuck in the snow or mud? Then the car will have to be pulled out using a special algorithm.
For cars with “mechanics”, the first method of liberation from captivity is rocking back and forth. The driver, quickly switching between forward and reverse speed, rolled the car into a small area and then gave the car a good impulse for a more active start from the trap.
On an automatic, frequent switching between modes D and R is strictly prohibited. If you start pulling the handle, the box will perform the entire chain of switching described above under load, which can cause weak clutches to fail.
To get out of a snowdrift automatically, a different method is used. Under no circumstances should you skid. Once moving, you need to immediately release the gas pedal and wait until the car rolls back again. Then, having caught the rhythm of the rollbacks and entered into resonance with the car, you can rock the car only in D mode.
But if a rollback does not occur, then you need to use other tactics. First we turn it on reverse(R) and roll back half a meter. Then we hold the car with the brake and, with the gas released, move the selector to D. You can start and get out of captivity. If you didn’t succeed the first time, you can try to roll back again. The main thing is to change the operating modes of the box with a delay, when the shaft rotation from the motor has stabilized at Idling. Of course, this method is significantly inferior to rocking, but due to the specifics of the automatic transmission, only this method is safe.If a car with an automatic transmission continues to sit firmly aground, then the cable of a friendly SUV will help. When driving a car with a machine gun on a “tie”, you also need to adhere to special rules. You can only drag a car with an automatic transmission with the engine running. Otherwise, the oil pump does not work and the box experiences a lack of lubrication. It is better to switch the gearbox handle to D mode and help the car get out of the trap using gas. You can leave the car in neutral (N), but in this mode the pump works weaker and the oil pressure drops by almost half, which reduces the effectiveness of lubrication.
In general, automatic transmission requires a special approach. Although it is comfortable on a clear road, it is very capricious in bad weather.
We skid “automatically” correctly. An automatic transmission (AKP, also known as an automatic transmission, “Automatic gearbox”) is a type of car transmission that provides automatic (without direct driver participation) selection of the gear ratio appropriate to the current driving conditions, depending on many factors.
There are several types of automatic transmission:
1. classic torque converter automatic;
2. variator;
Automatic transmissions differ in both design and characteristics. In general, an automatic transmission is any gearbox in which gear shifting is carried out automatically, without the participation of the driver, but it so happens that a hydromechanical planetary gearbox is considered to be a “true” automatic transmission. It is this type of transmission that raises many questions.
To understand, let’s remember - why was the “machine gun” created?
The automatic transmission was created for driving around the city, where the roads are congested, to relieve the burden on the driver and provide comfort. In heavy traffic, such a box will be less distracting, and in a traffic jam it will allow you to relax after a hard day. That is, a car with an automatic transmission is designed for smooth, cleared “urban” roads. From this we conclude that the “automatic” is not suitable for off-road use and slipping negatively affects its service life.
Often, car enthusiasts, especially beginners, do not know this and, for example, getting stuck on a poorly cleared road, begin to skid. Moreover, they use the standard method - swinging. Which is strictly prohibited for automatic transmissions.
Firstly, to rock the car you will need to quickly switch the gearbox from “D” mode to “R” mode, which is not recommended. By switching to mode “D”, the pump increases oil pressure, the clutches are activated, the planetary gears engage the gear and rotation from the shaft is transmitted to the wheels. If you frequently switch these speeds, the transmission mechanism will simply overheat and the clutches will fail. Plus everything is controlled electronically. An error will appear on the display - automatic transmission overheating. In some car models, the ECU will forcibly disable the transmission. And that's it, we've arrived. Simply put, the function is built in for the “self-preservation” of the gearbox.
What to do if you still get stuck in snow or mud?
In the “D – DRIVE” mode, slipping is practically prohibited. When you press the gas, the transmission will begin to change gears, which will lead to overheating.
If there is a reduced mode, usually it is “L”, or “manual mode” - we set first or second gear. They are the ones you need to skid on.
Remember that after just 3 minutes of constant slipping, the temperature in the automatic transmission increases by 30%! After 5 minutes at 40%, this is already the limit. So after 2 – 3 minutes of slipping, let the “automatic” cool down. It is recommended to turn off the car for 10-15 minutes.
If you feel like you’ve “specifically” settled in, don’t torment the box, ask to be pushed out!
The majority of new cars on the market today are automatic. What was once a novelty is now a common convenience. Most drivers choose cars with an automatic transmission: it is more expensive, but easier to operate and much more durable. Cars equipped with automatic transmission receive great attention from novice drivers: after all, manipulating the lever of a manual transmission requires special skill, attention and experience. However, experienced drivers also choose cars with automatic transmission for the sake of a smooth, comfortable ride and significant freedom of control.
What is it - automatic transmission?
An automatic transmission is a transmission for changing gears not manually, but electronically. There are several types of such transmissions, and from them internal structure The specifics of use depend.
There are three types of automatic transmissions:
- a classic gearbox that runs on special gear oil, which continuously circulates in a closed circuit under high pressure;
- a stepless variator in which there are no steps and the fact of switching itself - gear ratios vary constantly, regardless of speed, instantly and with maximum smoothness;
- robotic mechanics is manual transmission gears, where the transition from stage to stage is carried out using independent electronic circuits.
These types differ primarily in the number of gears and the trajectory of the gear selector handle. These nuances are indicated on the unit casing and in the vehicle documentation. But the main functionality and components are the same for all three types.
The automatic transmission consists of the following parts:
The driver controls the interaction of these parts by installing the selector. As a rule, the designations on the automatic transmission panel are standard for different types Automatic transmission and car brands:
- “P” Park - parking lock;
- “R” Revrse - reverse;
- “N” Neutral - neutral position;
- "D" Drive - movement;
- "L" Low - slow movement.
Why can't you slip with an automatic transmission? How to drive a car with automatic transmission?
No explanation is required here - everything is perfectly simple and intuitive even for a beginner. This is the main advantage of this control system. vehicle: Even an inexperienced driver can get behind the wheel. But there are still a few important rules.
Warm up the car!
It is prohibited to drive at high speed in a vehicle with an unheated automatic transmission. Before starting to move, you should let the engine run for a couple of minutes, remaining in place.
No off-road!
The gearbox is not intended for driving on difficult roads and rough terrain.
You can't skid with an automatic transmission!
Do not tow other vehicles or carry loads that exceed your engine's capacity to prevent uncontrolled increases in wheel speed. This will cause overheating transmission oil, electronic malfunctions and rapid wear of the entire unit.
Don't slow down!
Careful handling, why should you not slip with an automatic transmission?
Failure to comply with these rules will lead, at a minimum, to rapid wear of the vehicle’s automatic transmission, and at maximum, to inevitable breakdown. But the repair and replacement of such units costs significant amounts. An experienced driver feels the nuances and understands what should be done in a given situation in order to avoid unpleasant consequences for himself and the car. But a beginner just needs to remember these simple rules, and then he won’t be afraid of any breakdowns and driving a modern car will only be a pleasure.
Slipping of the drive wheels in snow and mud can have a detrimental effect on the service life of the automatic transmission. Let's figure out whether it's possible to slip on an automatic transmission without harming the transmission. We will definitely consider the features of off-road driving in a car with a torque converter automatic transmission, a CVT and a robotic gearbox (DSG, Power Shift).
Automatic transmission and off-road
Due to the greatest prevalence, the question: is it possible to slip on an automatic transmission most often arises among owners of cars with a torque converter type automatic transmission. What consequences can you expect if you skid in snow, mud and drive off-road without following the recommendations?
Operation of an automatic transmission at the moment of slipping
In situations where the drive wheels are slipping in mud or snow, the greatest danger to the automatic transmission is the shifting. The electronic transmission control unit changes gear ratios based on speed and engine load. The ECU focuses exclusively on (TPS, mass air flow sensor, gas pedal position sensor, speed sensor). Therefore, when the wheels slip, the ECU “thinks” that the car is accelerating normally and shifts into a higher gear. 
It is changing gears when slipping that leads to increased loads on the torque converter and clutch packs. Similar damage to automatic transmissions is caused by a sharp change in the coefficient of adhesion to the road at the moment the drive axle slips. For example, when a car slips in the snow, and then the wheels suddenly hit a paved area with good grip.
Overheating is no less dangerous for the automatic transmission. The difference in angular speeds of the turbine and pump wheels of the torque converter leads to intense heating of the working fluid. If the car is slipping in mud and snow until the main engine is forced to lock, the volume of oil circulating through the torque converter increases, which leads to an increase in temperature. When overheated, the oil cokes in the valve body channels and loses its performance characteristics. Therefore, frequent off-road use of the vehicle requires reduction.
How to ride correctly?
Cars with DSG and CVTs
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. While slipping, the main engine smooths out shock loads. If it assumes 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 only drawback is the lack 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.