Getting Ready to Start the Car
Starting your vehicle is easy, but it is important to make sure you are in the correct gear before turning the key. Taking a few moments to make sure you are in the correct gear can prevent damage to your vehicle’s drivetrain and save you from unnecessary and expensive repairs.
Gear Selection Before Starting the Vehicle
When starting a vehicle, regardless of whether it is an automatic or a manual transmission, the gear selector should be in:
- Park for automatic transmissions
- Neutral for manual transmissions
This is to ensure that the vehicle does not jerk forward or backward when the engine is turned on.
How to Start the Vehicle in the Correct Gear
It is a good idea to double-check the gear selection before starting the vehicle.
- For automatic transmissions, confirm that the gear selector is in Park
- For manual transmissions, make sure the gear selector is in Neutral. To do this, move the gear selector and make sure that the indicator light on the gear selector is lit. You should also be able to freely rotate the gear selector between gears without any resistance.
Once you have confirmed that the gear selector is in the correct position, you are ready to start the vehicle.
Conclusion
Starting your vehicle in the correct gear is essential if you want to avoid potential damage and repair costs to the drivetrain. By taking a few moments to make sure the gear selector is in the correct position, you can ensure a smooth and safe start.