The modern motorist highly values the automatic transmission for the simple principle of its use. Here, unlike manual transmissions, there is no need to squeeze the clutch every time to switch to another gear. The absence of a clutch pedal and automatic transition from one speed to another, not counting reverse gear, greatly simplifies the life of the driver.
But the functionality of the automatic transmission is not at all as limited and meager as it might seem. In addition to the main lever, there is a number of buttons on the box, each of which is responsible for certain functions or switching to one or another mode of operation of the transmission. And all the buttons have their own name and purpose.
Understanding the purpose of the buttons is not difficult. Sometimes it is enough to look at what is drawn or written on it. In the case of Shift Lock there is also a signature. Only when the driver presses it, nothing happens. This raises a logical question about why this button is needed and what it does.
Purpose
Initially, as soon as the driver finds himself behind the wheel of a new car with an automatic transmission, he tries to understand the functionality. Some people fall into a certain stupor because they do not understand what Shift Lock Release is and what this button is for. We need to correct this injustice by understanding the issue.
On most automatic transmissions installed in modern cars, Shift Lock is located on the left side near the parking mode on the selector. But this still doesn’t make it clear what Shift Lock is on an automatic machine and why this button is even needed.
The thing is that, in fact, Shift Lock has nothing to do with the modes of movement and operation of the box. That is, when you press it while traveling in cars, you will not feel anything. But drivers, without understanding the functionality of all the buttons and controls related to the automatic transmission, expect that:
- the sound of the engine or the car as a whole will change;
- the display on the dashboard of the car will change;
- the gearbox will begin to function differently;
- the engine will switch to some other operating mode determined by the settings;
- the button will sink into the panel and lock into place.
But all this does not happen. And here comes the most important moment. The purpose of the button is to ensure that the driver is able to move the lever of his automatic transmission to the position he needs when the engine is turned off. That is, in fact, you stand still, do not start the engine, and using this button you can switch between automatic transmission modes by moving the selector in different directions.
We can safely say that this button, called Shift Lock or Shift Lock Release, acts as an element for unlocking the gear shift lever on an automatic transmission.
Every driver of a car with an automatic transmission knows that parking involves moving the selector to the appropriate parking mode. It turns off the engine. After this, the lever cannot be moved until the motor is started again. It is to create conditions under which it will be possible to move the lever to a position other than parking or P mode that the button in question serves.
Some do not understand why such a function is needed at all and whether the driver needs such a button. In practice it can be useful. And not as rare as it sometimes seems.
Examples include the following situations:
- You came to the car, but forgot to take the keys with you. In this case, the car must be rolled at least a little to the side;
- The car must be put in neutral gear. But the driver will not be able to remove the key from the ignition until he moves the selector to the parking position. The Shift Lock button saves you from this situation;
- The car stalled, the engine could not be started, and the automatic lever could not be moved to another position. At the same time, you also stopped in the wrong place, which potentially interferes with other road users, or could provoke an accident. That is, the car needs to be moved to the side;
- The car was involved in an accident, broke down or stalled, and requires the help of a tow truck. In this case, only the option of towing or recovery with a partial load is available. In general, it is not recommended to tow cars with automatic transmission in this way. But if you use the button, you can move the selector to a position that is safe for towing or evacuation with partial loading.
What does shift lock release mean on an automatic transmission?
Automatic transmissions (ATTs) have become standard equipment in modern cars.
Just 10 - 15 years ago, such a transmission was a rather expensive and capricious unit. Today it is a reliable device with a long trouble-free operation life. The automatic transmission provides its owner with maximum comfort, especially when driving on busy city roads. “Shift Lock Release” literally translated into Russian the inscription means: “Lock release switch.” Sometimes the word "Release" is missing, but this does not change the meaning.
Recommendations for use
To ensure additional safety, manufacturers of automatic transmissions have specially equipped automatic transmissions with a special system that is designed to block selector shifting. Using this functionality, the possibility of accidentally switching from the parking position to the reverse driving mode when the ignition is turned off and the engine is turned off is eliminated.
On some vehicles this cannot be done even if the key is removed from the ignition switch. Objectively, we can say that to a greater extent this button called Shift Lock was created for servicing cars and service center employees. But it will also be useful in the daily life of the car owner himself, as you already understood from the examples above.
In reality, no one wants a button labeled Shift Lock to be useful in everyday life. But sometimes she can save you from a difficult situation. After all, when switching modes on an automatic transmission becomes possible only with the help of this button, problems probably arise with the gearbox. Or you are in an unusual situation.
If the situation on the road, in the garage or anywhere else where you were in a car with an automatic transmission forces you to find a way to move the selector to a different position, simply use the Shift Lock function.
Most often, the button becomes useful as part of the maintenance and repair of a car with an automatic transmission. If the automatic transmission fails, a car service employee will be able to switch to different modes simply using the Shift Lock capabilities.
And using the button is extremely simple. If you want or need to move the car, but it is not possible to drive the car with the engine running, do not forget that there is a special button called Shift Lock. Here you need to perform several sequential steps. Namely:
- Finding yourself in a virtually hopeless situation, press this button on your gearbox;
- Keep the button pressed and move the selector to the mode you require. It is often recommended to shift to neutral. But here, act according to the situation. It's unlikely you'll need to switch to Drive mode;
- Since the box is now unlocked, you can take the car in tow, push the car to a safe place, and then continue to solve your problems.
It is also important to remember to always keep the brake pedal depressed when you use Shift Lock to move the locked gearbox to another position. This will prevent unwanted spontaneous movement of the machine. Even if you are standing on a flat surface, without slopes, still, for safety reasons, do not forget to press the brake using Shift Lock.
You must understand that such a button is more likely to be used for extreme situations. Therefore, no one wants to face the need to use it in ordinary everyday life.
Here is a button designed to unlock the automatic transmission when the engine is not running or not started. This is an auxiliary function of the automatic transmission, which can sometimes help out in a difficult and difficult situation. But it will be better if you never encounter the need to use it. At the same time, the presence of Shift Lock still gives a certain additional confidence. Her presence at least calms you down and allows you to understand that, if necessary, you will be able to cope with automatic transmission problems.
Interpretation of dashboard indicators Hyundai Creta 1st generation
• Some instrument cluster icons shown here may vary depending on the vehicle body type.
About Creta: How to enter the engineering menu on Android (all codes) -
• If a question regarding the operation of any indicator remains unanswered, it is worth considering that a green signal usually always indicates the serviceability and normal function of the system, in which the driver can continue driving.
• When a red or yellow indicator is detected on the dashboard, we can conditionally assume that one of the elements of the car system is not functioning correctly; usually, problems with which it is better not to continue driving the car further are indicated in red.
Advice from experienced motorists
If your automatic transmission has a Shift Lock button, this is very good. In certain situations, she will become indispensable and will pull you out of difficult situations.
Drivers who already have quite a lot of experience driving cars with automatic transmissions know firsthand in what situations the Shift Lock button can significantly help.
- This function on an automatic transmission should be used in situations where the car has broken down, the automatic transmission has failed, and there is a need to get to the nearest car service center by towing. Since it is prohibited to tow cars with automatic transmission in emergency mode, and they only need to be fully loaded onto a tow truck, a special button will allow you to tow the car in the usual way, as for a manual transmission. You shouldn’t abuse such a regime, but sometimes there is simply no other way out;
- Shift Lock can also come in handy in situations where you stop at a gas station. Every driver knows perfectly well that it is strictly forbidden to start the engine while filling the fuel tank with gasoline or other fuel. But you can use the Shift Lock button to unlock the wheels in Parking mode;
- If you drive up to the turnstile before entering a toll road, you can also use a special button to unlock the gear selector. It is quite convenient and practical;
- If you get into an accident, when the engine cannot be started, and the gearbox lever does not want to switch to any mode other than Parking, press the button to move the selector to the neutral position and remove the car from the roadway. Just do not forget to simultaneously follow all the rules that provide for the implementation of a certain algorithm of actions in case of an accident. Before removing the car, you need to fix its original position after the collision.
Yes, there is no urgent need for the presence and use of this Shift Lock button in the normal daily life of the driver of a car with an automatic transmission. This is a tool that can be useful in certain situations related not only to getting into an accident or breaking down an engine with a gearbox.
Experienced motorists do not recommend overusing this button. Still, its main purpose is to unlock the automatic transmission selector when it is not possible to switch between modes in the usual way. This is a kind of emergency button that is not useful to everyone and not always. It is possible that over the entire long period of operation of a car that has an automatic transmission, you will never have to use Shift Lock. There is absolutely nothing wrong with this. But you will always know that your car has such a function, and if necessary, it will help you out of a difficult situation on the road.
Now you will know why such a button with the designation Shift Lock was provided on the automatic transmission, how and when to use it, and also why pressing it may be useful during the operation of the car. Don't expect that after pressing Shift Lock the car will start going faster or you will turn on the sport mode. There are other switches for this. And Shift Lock has its own, albeit invisible, but extremely important function.
