Don't Hold an Automatic Car on an Incline by Pressing the Accelerator, Here are the Risks
SOLO, KOMPAS.com - Driving on inclines requires the correct technique to ensure the vehicle remains safe and its components last longer.
However, many drivers still make the mistake of holding the car stationary on an incline using the accelerator pedal when stopped.
Imun, the owner of Spesialis Ford Trucuk Klaten workshop, said that the friction that occurs when a car is held on an incline using the accelerator pedal can cause the transmission oil temperature to rise more quickly than under normal conditions.
“In the long term, overheating accelerates the wear of the transmission clutch. The risk of transmission slippage and decreased performance also becomes greater,” Imun told Kompas.com recently.
The habit of holding a car on an incline by relying on the accelerator pedal can accelerate the wear of the clutch pads and even cause a burning smell due to excessive heat and friction.
“In automatic cars, the repair is not limited to just replacing the clutch pads and springs, but the transmission must be removed, and the damage can involve more components, especially the clutch group,” said Imun.
In addition to potentially damaging transmission components, this habit also increases fuel consumption. This is because the engine continues to work to hold the vehicle and counteract gravity, without producing a comparable amount of movement.
In fact, from a safety point of view, the risk of accidents also increases. The car can suddenly jump forward if the pressure on the accelerator pedal is unstable, especially when on an incline with heavy traffic.
In certain conditions, drivers may also experience early signs of damage, such as a burning smell, a heavy feel when accelerating, or rough gear changes.
“A safer and more correct method is to use the foot brake to stop briefly, and the handbrake or parking brake to stop for longer on an incline. The accelerator pedal can be used again when you want to start moving again,” said Imun.
In cars that are equipped with a hill start assist feature, drivers can simply use this system and release the brake slowly when they want to start moving.
Lung Lung, the owner of Dokter Mobil, explained that when a car stops on an incline, the driver should press the brake and not use the accelerator.
“If the automatic car is stopped on an incline, don’t hold it with the accelerator. Just press the brake,” Lung Lung told Kompas.com.
This way, friction in the transmission system can be reduced, and the transmission oil will not deteriorate quickly.
Lung Lung suggests that when having to stop on an incline, the driver should press the brake pedal and activate the handbrake to keep the vehicle safe and not put stress on the transmission.
“If you stop on an incline, it is safer to put it in N and pull the handbrake rather than holding it with the accelerator,” he said.
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