Winter in our country is the same for all types of cars, and they are equipped various boxes transmission For correct operation For a car, it’s not enough to start the engine and drive, you need to follow the rules for using the gearbox, otherwise breakdowns cannot be avoided.

Sometimes the method of warming up one type of box is contraindicated for another. Let's talk about common ways to safely warm up such important car components as the gearbox.

How to warm up a manual transmission in cold weather

The manual gearbox has been around since the time of the first car. Now she is not afraid of either severe frosts or sultry heat and is considered the most secure box gears of all. Oil is poured into it for extreme operating conditions; it is designed for the entire service life of the car. This oil thickens less in the cold than other types of gearboxes.

How to warm up an automatic transmission (hydromechanical automatic)

This type of box can compete with mechanics in terms of reliability. This is a complex and expensive unit with planetary gears and a torque converter. There are no rubbing parts, since the torque from the motor in the torque converter is transmitted through the impeller wheels in oil. Opinions about how to warm up an automatic transmission in cold weather divide people into two camps.

Some people believe that after a few minutes of running the engine, you need to switch the selector to position “D” and hold the brake. The oil will flow through the oil lines of the box, then we move the selector to the “R” position and the oil will flow to the other gears of the planetary wheels. Thus, you need to repeat the “N-D-R-N” algorithm several times.

Others, on the contrary, believe that manipulating the selector switch is a waste of time. Operating an automatic transmission in winter is no different from operating a manual transmission in winter time. Warm up the engine and you can safely drive the car in a quiet mode, without sharp jerks. Automatic transmission repair specialists recommend this method.

From personal experience, I can say that the oil in the automatic transmission begins to circulate immediately after starting the engine and warms up perfectly while the selector is in the “P” position.

Warming up the robotic gearbox

This box is one of the youngest. It is created on the basis of a mechanical box by adding mechanisms for activating the scenes and control units. One of the electric drives simulates the clutch pedal, and the rest are controlled electronically. This type of gearbox is relatively reliable, but in severe frosts the electric drive rods freeze and malfunctions occur. The robotic transmission is the most capricious of all in cold weather.

With a robot, unlike a mechanical one, you can’t go on the road right away; you need to let the sensors and electric drives thaw. You can’t even stand in “D” mode, an error will appear on the instrument panel and the box will go into emergency mode. The only way to save the gearbox is by warming up the engine for a long time.

Warming up the DSG gearbox (automatic robot)

This is the most complex and effective gearbox option among automatic transmissions. There are two types of such boxes: with dry and oil clutch. The “wet” clutch is set to more powerful engines, since part of the energy is spent on overcoming the resistance of the oil bath. As a rule, this is DSG6, that is, a six-speed DSG. On engines less power use DSG7. Unlike the type of box, the heating will be different.

A gearbox with a dry clutch can be operated like a manual one: we start the engine, wait for the speed to drop, and then we can switch to “D” mode and hit the road. But it is better not to damage a dry clutch by standing on the brake for a long time, especially after a cold start. If after the start you get stuck in a traffic jam, then at first you need to move the selector to the “N” position in order to avoid rapid wear clutch discs.

A gearbox with an oil clutch needs to be warmed up longer, otherwise you will feel unpleasant jolts due to thickened oil. Such a clutch can be warmed up by briefly standing in “D” mode, but you should not be zealous, since an unheated robot cannot remain in this mode for a long time due to the lack of a torque converter.

How to warm up the variator

The CVT is the most gentle automatic transmission of all. The design consists of two cone-shaped pulleys, a metal belt thrown between them, and control electronics.

Warming up the variator without driving is impossible, but you also can’t drive fast. After the engine has warmed up, it is better to move the selector to position “D” and hit the road. Traffic jams are not terrible, because there is a torque converter. The variator gains heat best when driving slowly. At low temperatures electronics prevent the car from accelerating quickly. Under no circumstances should you fight the variator and try to accelerate the car faster than the electronics allow, otherwise the belt will wear out severely and scuffs will appear on the pulleys. It is better to drive at low speeds and wait until the transmission warms up to operating values.

Published 28 Feb 2017 - 23:57 by Ivan

IN modern cars set the most different types gearboxes: from classic mechanical and torque converter automatic transmissions to complex robotic transmissions and CVTs. Each type of gearbox has its own nuances when working in extreme conditions, that is, in severe frosts and hellish heat.

Mechanics

A true classic. Since the invention of the automobile, the principle of operation mechanical transmission nothing has changed, and this has been for about 120 years. True, the manual transmission has become more reliable - it can be used in almost any conditions. It is no coincidence that equipment intended for use in extreme conditions is most often equipped with a manual transmission.

The oil used in it is synthetic and is designed to last for the entire period of life. Another question is how long this life period is for each manufacturer. Usually light frost is not scary for him, but if we're talking about about minus 25 degrees and below, then it, of course, thickens. This can be felt by “stirring” a little with the lever.

To warm up the mechanics, absolutely nothing is required. After starting the engine, you can start moving in a minute or two - the engine itself needs to warm up a little. So we engaged first gear and quietly, slowly, drove off. It is important not to put pressure on the transmission high loads immediately - the gearbox will gradually warm up to operating temperature.

Classic "automatic"

The concern needs to say thank you for the invention of the automatic transmission General Motors. This is a truly terribly complex torque converter system that can cost a pretty penny to repair.

The automatic transmission is designed in such a way that the torque in it is transmitted from the engine to the torque converter using a pair of impellers located in a single housing at a minimum distance from each other and rotating in oil. There are no rubbing parts as such. Therefore, it is worth warming up the classic automatic transmission the old fashioned way.

You need to let the engine run for a couple of minutes, then switch the selector to position D (Drive) and continue to hold the brake. This way we will loosen the thickened oil a little and distribute it through the oil lines. After holding the car like this for a minute, we perform the same procedure for reverse - gear R. In principle, all this can be repeated for each of the gearbox positions, including neutral.

Some drivers know about this method, but are too lazy to hold the brake themselves, leaving the car on the handbrake. They use the saved time either to clear the snow from the car or to “smoke.”

Of course, you shouldn't do this. In this state, the electronics of some manufacturers believe that the car cannot move due to some obstacle and increases the load on the torque converter, slightly increasing engine speed. Of course, increased load under such conditions does not lead to anything good.

Robotic transmissions

The standard “robot” is designed very simply - it is ordinary mechanics, supplemented by a so-called actuator and an electronic control unit. They are relatively cheap to produce and still find a place even in new models. Most often they can be recognized by the designation AMT.

One of the drives in it replaces the classic clutch pedal. There are several such drives and each has several of its own rods, which severe frost they freeze and are very reluctant to move. Electronics, of course, simply go crazy in this state, not knowing what to do.

Unlike mechanics, on such a robot with one clutch it is better not to set off right away - the gearbox must be allowed to gain at least a few degrees. Keeping it in Drive mode is contraindicated - this can lead to an electronics failure, which will put the gearbox into emergency mode by switching to neutral.

A full-fledged robotic transmission with two clutches is an incredibly complex mechanism, which, in fact, is a pair mechanical boxes transmission They were originally conceived as sports version, because, thanks to their design, they allow the gear shift process itself to be carried out faster.

They are most widespread inside Volkswagen concern under the DSG brand, although there are many other manufacturers. They are divided into two types - dry and “wet”, that is, using oil. And this important point, since they need to be heated differently.

The dry version (most often a seven-speed gearbox) can be used like a manual one - let the engine warm up, put “Drive” in and off we go. But there are also pitfalls. Since this transmission does not use oil, it is better not to keep the gear in D at traffic lights if they are long. This accelerates disc wear. And especially “in the cold”. So it's better to switch it to neutral.

As for oil-based “robots,” they need to be heated longer - the oil thickens, which leads to jerking when changing gears. Such a box can be warmed up by briefly parking it in Drive mode plus brake. But the main thing is not to abuse it - such a box does not have a torque converter.

The main rule: “robots” with two clutches do not like active driving in severe frosts immediately after the start of the trip. It is extremely important to let them warm up.

Variable speed drive

Perhaps the CVT is the gearbox least designed for use in extreme cold conditions. It doesn't get hot idle speed, that is, you definitely need to go, but you also can’t go fast.

Its device is extremely simple - it consists of two cone-shaped pulleys, usually connected by a metal belt. And of course there is the electronic unit management. You really need to warm up such a “box without gears” while driving, so as soon as the engine warms up, we switch the selector to mode D and slowly go about our business.

The CVT has a torque converter, so it can handle standing in traffic jams and at traffic lights without any problems. Note that most often the electronics will not allow the car to dial high speed, if the air temperature drops below 25 degrees below zero. In this case, the revolutions will not rise above 2.5 thousand, and the box itself will hum noticeably.

In this mode, the unit will “warm up” for about 5-10 minutes, subsequently switching to standard operating mode.

You should not force the car to rev up and load the variator. This puts a lot of wear on the belt, even though it is metal. Separately, we note that the variator is not particularly designed for driving high speed and speeds - this is a truly urban solution.

Winter. The snow is falling, the roads are being cleared, and the snow is covering them again. Clean asphalt has not been seen for a long time. But you have to travel, and every day.

How to drive an automatic transmission in the winter? Is automatic transmission a plus or a minus in winter? If it’s a plus, then how can you fully use it? If it’s a minus, then how can you compensate for it?

Let's look into all these issues.

Advantages of an automatic transmission

When the car is moving, the automatic transmission independently changes gears without distracting the driver from the process of driving the car, especially in difficult situations. road conditions. Saves him from constantly squeezing the clutch pedal, turning on desired transmission, which for some inexperienced motorists is a real pain. An automatic is especially convenient when driving in a traffic jam: you press the brake pedal, the car stops, you release it, the car drives smoothly, you don’t have to endlessly pull the gear lever or simultaneously work the accelerator and clutch pedals. When starting up a hill, the automatic machine moves the car without the risk of turning off the engine.

All this makes driving a car with an automatic transmission a comfortable and safe experience, but only in the summer, on flat good roads. In winter the situation changes dramatically. There is snow on the road, there is ice under the snow, pieces of clean asphalt are visible somewhere, the grip of the car’s wheels with the road is unstable. Slipping, skidding, and loss of control are possible. All this complicates the operation of the hydromechanical transmission, and requires the driver to have additional knowledge and skills in driving a car with an automatic transmission in winter.

How to properly warm up an automatic transmission in winter

After parking overnight, the car should start, despite the noticeable cold. Modern engines with fuel injection systems, they allow the car to start moving immediately, with virtually no warming up, but there is no need to rush. It is necessary to let the engine run for a while without load. , liquefy engine oil, fill the lubrication system with it, let the pistons and cylinders heat up. This will take only 3–4 minutes, and the engine will repay the owner with long-term reliable operation.

An automatic transmission is a very complex and rather capricious unit that requires even more careful attention to itself. The machine must be prepared before driving, which goes well with warming up the engine.

Two to three minutes after starting the engine, it is recommended to press the brake pedal and move the automatic transmission selector to position “D” (driving). Without releasing the brake, you need to let the box work in this mode for 20 - 30 seconds, and then switch to the “R” mode (reverse). Then wait another 30 seconds. Repeat the entire “D” - “R” procedure a couple of times, while you can lightly press the gas pedal, after tightening the handbrake.

Before starting to drive in winter, the automatic transmission must be prepared: move the selector to mode “D”, then to mode “R” and wait half a minute, then repeat these steps a couple of times.

Initial warm-up power unit And automatic transmission finished, now you can hit the road.

How to start driving an automatic car in winter

One of the main advantages of a hydromechanical transmission is a smooth, jerk-free start to movement. In a manual car, a comfortable start depends on the skill and experience of the driver and the condition of the clutch. The automatic machine will gently move the car.

If the automatic transmission allows you to forcefully engage first gear (for example, boxes with the “Tiptronic” function or if there are modes “1”, “2”), then you should use this.

Automatic transmission with Tiptronic function - T-shaped branch on the right side of the box for manual control.

The beginning of the journey - the first 400-600 meters - drive in first, then second gear, maintaining engine speed of about 2000 rpm. After turn on auto mode and continue driving in a relaxed manner, without pressing the accelerator pedal too hard. After 8 - 10 km of travel, the automatic transmission is ready to operate normally, changing from gear to gear smoothly, without bumps or jerks. This is another plus of automatic transmission.

Warming up the automatic transmission and engine is not a complicated operation. They do not take much time, but they significantly facilitate and lengthen the life of the power unit and hydromechanical automatic transmission. But if the repair engine - operation proven, and is carried out by many repair shops, then automatic transmission repair is a very, very expensive procedure, carried out only by specialized enterprises, and the result is not always positive.

How to drive an automatic car correctly in winter

The rules listed below are valid for cars with any gearbox, but for an automatic transmission they are especially relevant.

Automatic transmission problems in winter and their solutions

Listed below are the disadvantages inherent in automatic machines, which you need to remember when winter operation hydromechanical transmissions, as well as options for their elimination.

Automatic control during steep climbs and long descents

When driving in harsh conditions, when overcoming a steep incline or when driving on loose snow, hydromechanical transmission may slip - this is its peculiarity, since there is no rigid connection between the automatic transmission and the engine. In this situation, the driver must help the car by forcibly downshifting in advance.

When driving down a long slope, for example on mountain roads, to prevent dangerous acceleration of the vehicle, use only brake system will cause the pads, discs or drums to overheat. You should forcefully engage the second or even first gear of the automatic transmission to effectively slow down the car.

Automatic transmission control when parking in winter

When parking, especially on a slope, you should fix the car using the brake pedal, move the automatic transmission selector to the “N” position, tighten the handbrake, and only then set the “P” mode - parking. This will protect the automatic transmission parking brake system from overload.

Representatives of manufacturing companies unanimously expressed the idea that smoking air Idling there's no point. And the engine needs to be warmed up - but nothing prevents you from doing this while driving. Readers of AutoVesti reacted controversially to this information - and some remembered that automatic transmissions are not very fond of driving without pre-warming.

If you immediately start driving, the automatic transmission behaves inappropriately... which really lacks warming up... personally noticed on more than one brand of car. Both the Germans and the Japanese.

Alex Alexov

We decided to consult on this issue with the technical specialists of MMS Rus LLC (the official distributor of cars Mitsubishi brands) - and received the answer that the situation with gearboxes is not fundamentally different from the situation with engines. Yes, the unit requires warming up - after all, the temperature of the oil and gearbox parts cannot rise to operating temperature instantly. And in addition to metal and oil, the design of the gearbox contains many parts that contain rubber - sealing cuffs, oil seals, and so on. Of course, over the past 20-30 years, some progress has been made in this area, and the corresponding parts have become much better at working at extreme temperatures - but in any case, they have their limits.

It's not a matter of whether you put the transmission in Drive immediately after starting the engine, but how aggressively you pedal after that.

“Here we can draw a direct analogy with the human body, which is essentially a very perfect biological machine,” explain representatives of MMS Rus LLC. “How does a person feel if, after sleep, he immediately jumps up sharply and runs? Surely everyone will agree that the sensations are far from pleasant, since the blood in the muscles and blood vessels is minimal, the heart rate is minimal, and the synovial fluid in the joints is minimal. The body will regard the situation of “jumping up and running” as stress. It’s a different matter if you warm up. We are made of the same chemical elements and are subject to the same laws of physics."

Therefore none of technical specialists and does not claim that five seconds after starting the engine you can already accelerate by pressing the pedal to the floor to the maximum. "You can't give it right away. maximum load- this directly affects the condition of parts, assemblies and assemblies. You need to act slowly and carefully, sparingly loading the engine and transmission,” summarize representatives of MMS Rus LLC. Again, it is difficult to imagine that the average motorist immediately after moving off (especially in winter, which was often mentioned by readers in discussions of material about warming up the engine ) starts turning the engine to the cutoff and trying to accelerate to hundreds faster than the manufacturer promises in the table technical characteristics. Thus, in most real life situations the engine and automatic transmission do not operate even close to peak modes, which makes it quite possible to warm them up while driving.

Many drivers, under the influence of generally accepted misconceptions, continue to kill engines by warming up their cars for a long time in the cold at idle speed. At the same time, these same car enthusiasts often forget about this important process like warming up the automatic transmission. We have already looked at why you should not warm up modern gasoline internal combustion engines at idle speed. It's time to talk about how to properly warm up a torque converter type automatic transmission.

WHY DO YOU NEED TO WARM THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION?

For normal gear shifting in cold weather, at least 2 conditions must be met:

• valve body channels are full ATF fluid;
• is created in the system operating pressure oils

Failure to comply with these factors leads to kicks, shocks when changing gears, and accelerated wear of the clutch packs. Because of insufficient pressure friction and steel wheels They close with a delay, so more intense abrasion of the friction layer occurs. Subsequently, a suspension of wear products is transferred with oil into the valve body channels.

Acting as an abrasive, friction dust accelerates the wear of solenoids and channels, and also clogs the lines. As a result, if you do not change the ATF fluid on time, you will soon feel shocks when changing gears, a delay when changing gears, and other signs of a malfunction. Warming up the automatic transmission reduces damage negative factors and extends service life.
DESIGN FEATURES

The need to warm up the automatic transmission is determined by the characteristics of the device and the operating principle of the automatic transmission. Let us remind you that in automatic transmission transmission oil acting working fluid. ATF is used not only to lubricate and cool transmission elements, but also to transmit torque between the input and output shafts and to close the clutch packs.

All processes are controlled by the automatic transmission control unit, which, through communication with the engine ECU (Engine Control Unit), decides which gear to engage. But inside the automatic transmission housing, only solenoids are controlled by the control unit. Supplying/disconnecting in the right moments power supply to the solenoids, the control unit closes or opens channels for oil circulation through the hydraulic plate. It is the redirection of the flow of ATF that allows the clutch packs to be closed, corresponding to the required this mode gear ratio.

WHAT HAPPENS TO OIL IN FROST?

The need to warm up the automatic transmission is primarily determined by the negative impact of subzero temperatures on the viscosity of the ATF fluid. Most likely, in winter, after you started driving, you have more than once observed how, even at -15°C, the steering wheel of a car with a hydraulic booster becomes heavier. But inside the automatic transmission is oil, which is extremely close in basic composition and additive packages to the fluids used in power steering.

Responsible for pressure in the system oil pump, which with the onset of frost is forced to pump a thicker liquid. Now you understand that the main purpose of warming up an automatic transmission is to stabilize the pressure in the oil system. Also, do not forget about the planetary gearbox and other rubbing pairs, which are lubricated by the same ATF fluid when moving. With this view, warming up the automatic transmission is necessary for the same reason why many drivers warm it up while driving manual transmission, transfer case, rear axle gearbox.

HOW TO DO EVERYTHING RIGHT?

The automatic transmission should be warmed up in winter in 2 stages:

• before starting movement. Start the engine. While holding the brake pedal, move the automatic transmission selector first to position D, then to N, P, R. For proper warm-up, you need to pause in each of the positions. The duration of the delay depends on the temperature outside. For example, after 15-20 hours of inactivity at -25ºС, it will be enough to linger for 50-60 seconds in each of the selector positions, after which you can start driving. The essence of such warming up is only to completely fill as many channels in the valve body as possible with oil before starting to move by changing modes;
• warm-up driving mode. When operating a car with an automatic transmission in cold weather, you should take into account that the automatic transmission warms up much more slowly than the engine. Therefore, when the coolant temperature indicator is on dashboard approaches 80-90°C, the automatic transmission will still be unheated. That is why experts advise to refrain from sudden acceleration for the first 15-20 minutes in cold weather and move at a speed of no more than 70-80 km/h. As it warms up after you start driving, you may exceed the recommended limit, but to preserve the automatic transmission, refrain from crossing the 100 km/h limit. Of course, as the frost decreases, the box will go out to operating temperature faster, allowing for shorter warm-up times.

Slipping of the drive wheels is one of the most traumatic operating modes automatic transmission. Especially after the torque converter locks. Therefore, we recommend sticking to the overclocking technique described in the article “Rules” accident-free driving in winter."

WARM YOUR CAR COMPLETELY IN WINTER

In the article “Why you shouldn’t warm up your car while idling,” we explained why long warm-ups at idle lead to overheating. piston rings, bullies in the central gas station and a waste of money. In the case of automatic transmissions, recommended by many owners, warming up in P mode without driving will not harm the gearbox, but will not save your money either. The oil inside the automatic transmission is heated by circulation through the hydraulic accumulator, oil pump and channels oil system. By properly warming up the automatic transmission while driving, you will save money on fuel and extend the life of the gearbox and engine.

The most reasonable solution in winter is to warm up the automatic transmission along with the engine, transfer case transmissions, axles and power steering.

Since the oil in the power steering system also thickens, after starting to drive in cold weather, refrain from sharp maneuvering or turning the steering wheel on asphalt or ground without the vehicle moving.