A DRIVING instructor has revealed a common mistake that can wreak havoc on your car’s automatic transmission when overlooked.
The licensing teacher said in a TikTok that motorists should apply their hand brake before shifting into park.
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Galadari Motor Driving Center’s (@galadaridrivingschool) TikTok clip explains how engaging your hand break before shifting into park reduces stress on your transmission.
This stress reduction is especially beneficial when parking on steep inclines or declines.
Excess transmission stress can lead to costly repairs since too much pressure will be on the gearbox.
But incline parking isn’t the only time to consider using your parking or emergency brake.
READ MORE ON DRIVING INSTRUCTOR TIPS
Hand brakes can weaken, rust, and snap when unused for too long — so consider using the feature when parking on flat surfaces, Firestone reports.
Many auto service centers offer free multi-point inspections where you can verify that your vehicle’s automatic gearbox is healthy.
One viewer commented on Galadari Motor Driving Center’s TikTok: “Get an electric car. There is no gearbox (transmission.) Problem solved.
Galadari Motor Driving Center replied: “That’s another option!”
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This isn’t the only handy automatic transmission tip that has attracted online attention.
Some drivers go to switch gears in their cars only to find that their shifter is stuck.
Fortunately, a driving expert unveiled a handy hack on YouTube to help you change gears if this vital vehicle component doesn’t move.
The video shows Dash @dashishuoche filming a car’s stuck transmission knob that contains a dust cover.
After pulling the dust cover over the shifter, we see several mechanical components.
Within this collection of components is a bright yellow button shown below the gear shifter that you can press with a key or similar object.
This yellow button is a release switch that overrides the shift lock in cars with automatic transmissions.
But not all cars have dust covers surrounding their gear shifter.
Most modern automatic vehicles have a keyhole near the gear shifter.
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