Stage 1 Course Content 14 — Driving Automatic Transmission Vehicles, etc.

1. Driving Automatic Transmission Vehicles, etc.

Automatic transmission vehicles are driven differently from manual transmission vehicles, and is easier because there is no need to operate the clutch. However, taking operation lightly could result in an unexpected accident, so a driver must recognize the basics of driving an automatic transmission vehicle, operate it in the correct manner, and make efforts to drive safely.

1. Driving Automatic Four-Wheeled Vehicles

① Operating the gearshift

The gearshift is the lever used to select the state, such as forward, reverse, and neutral.

  1. When shifting to P, R, or L, move the gearshift using the gearshift button (this might not be the case for some vehicle types).
  2. When operating the gearshift, look to confirm that it is in the correct position.
  3. When operating the gearshift while stopped, always do so while depressing the brake pedal.
Position Function
P Parking Position for parking, turning on the engine, or removing the key
R Reverse Position for reversing
N Neutral Position in which motive power is not transmitted
D Drive Position for normal travel
2 Second (2nd gear) Position for when engine braking is required
L or 1 Low (1st gear) Position for when stronger engine braking is required

※ Shifting from P to D requires passing through R. Do so while depressing the brake pedal firmly, since the vehicle will attempt to reverse for a moment.

② Starting the engine

  1. Before starting the engine, confirm the position of the brake pedal by depressing it and confirm the position of the accelerator pedal by looking at it.
  2. Confirm that the parking brake is engaged and the gearshift is in the P position, then depress the brake pedal and start the engine.

Reference: Parking brake Refers to the brake to ensure that the vehicle does not move, mainly while stopped, in contrast to the foot brake used while traveling. It is used when leaving the vehicle (parking) or starting to move while on an upward slope. It is also called "side brake" and "hand brake", and some types are described below.

③ How to start moving

  1. With the brake pedal depressed firmly, place the gearshift in D to move forward or in R to reverse, and look to confirm that the position is correct.
  2. With the brake pedal still depressed, release the parking brake and make sure it has released.
  3. Gradually release the brake pedal and gently depress the accelerator pedal to start moving.

※ If the brake pedal is not depressed firmly, operating the gearshift could cause the vehicle to start moving suddenly or reverse suddenly. Depress the brake pedal especially firmly immediately after starting the engine or while the air conditioner is operating, because the engine revolution is high and there is a danger the vehicle might start moving suddenly.

④ When stopped at an intersection, etc.

  1. While a vehicle is stopped, be sure the brake pedal is depressed firmly, and engage the parking brake as an additional safety measure.
  2. If the time stopped is likely to become long, place the gearshift in N.
  3. Be careful, because if the brake pedal is not depressed firmly, the automobile could move slowly without the accelerator pedal being depressed (creep effect) and cause an unexpected accident such as a rear-end collision.

Reference: "Creep effect" Refers to the phenomenon of a vehicle moving of its own accord when the accelerator pedal is not depressed if the engine is on and the gearshift is not in P or N. Extra caution is required especially immediately after starting the engine or while the air conditioner is operating, because the engine revolution is high and the creep effect could be strong. Further, unintentional operation of the gearshift could cause the vehicle to start moving suddenly, so make it a habit to depress the brake pedal firmly.

⑤ Traveling on slopes and curves

  1. Make use of engine braking on downward slopes that are long or steep by shifting the gearshift to 2 or L (1).
  2. Using the foot brake frequently on a long downward slope is dangerous, as it could suddenly stop working.
  3. Engine braking on an automatic transmission vehicle is not as effective as on a manual transmission vehicle and has a delay. Allow time before a curve to let it come into effect. Attention is required, especially on downward slopes.

Reference: "Engine braking" Refers to the braking force due to the rolling resistance of the engine that is generated when the accelerator pedal is released and the engine revolution becomes slower, but the inertia of the wheels works against that to try to move the engine. There are three ways to apply engine braking on AT vehicles.

  1. Release the accelerator pedal.
  2. Shift the gearshift from D to 2.
  3. If a stronger braking force is necessary, shift down from 2 to 1 or L.

Method of sudden acceleration (kickdown) While traveling with the gearshift in D, swiftly depress the accelerator pedal fully to cause the vehicle to downshift automatically by one gear to accelerate forcefully in a short distance. Vehicles equipped with CVT can be accelerated quickly by depressing the accelerator pedal forcefully. In either case, this driving method is used when strong acceleration is required, such as when entering a main through lane of an expressway, when overtaking, or on an upward slope.

Selecting a gear on an upward slope When traveling on an upward slope, stronger power is required when the grade is steeper. The usual method is to depress the accelerator further while in D. However, shifting the gearshift to 2 or 1 beforehand and traveling at that gear as the vehicle enters the slope can be effective, depending on the conditions of the slope.

⑥ Parking

  1. With the brake pedal still depressed, engage the parking brake and make sure it has engaged.
  2. Shift the gearshift to P. (Shift to P on both flat land and slopes.) Avoid shifting the gearshift to P before the automobile has stopped completely.

2. Driving an Automatic Two-Wheeled Vehicle

① How to start moving

Because there is no need to operate the clutch, be aware of the danger that the vehicle might start to move suddenly if the throttle (accelerator grip) is turned suddenly.

  1. Engage the rear-wheel brake to prevent the vehicle from starting to move suddenly.
  2. Turn the throttle to increase engine rotation.
  3. Gradually release the rear-wheel brake.
  4. Turn the throttle while checking the movement of the vehicle, and when the vehicle starts to move, completely release the brake lever.

② When traveling at low speed

A characteristic of an automatic two-wheeled vehicle equipped with a continuously variable transmission is that the power from the engine is not transmitted well to the wheels when engine revolution is low. For this reason, be aware that releasing the throttle completely while traveling at a low speed could result in losing stability because the power from the engine is not being transmitted to the wheels.

When traveling at a low speed, adjust the speed with the brakes while turning the throttle.

(Refer to p. 158 for special characteristics of automatic two-wheeled vehicles)

Reference: Continuously variable transmission (CVT) A device with pulleys on the engine side and the wheel side connected by a belt to transmit motive force and allows for continuous, non-stepped shifting of gears by automatically adjusting the pulley diameter (larger or smaller) in response to the engine revolution. This enables smooth travel without shocks from shifting gears. It is used on most automatic transmission vehicles (four-wheeled and two-wheeled vehicles).

2. Driving Advanced Safety Vehicles (ASV)

Advanced safety vehicles (ASV) are automobiles equipped with advanced technology systems to assist the safe driving of a driver, but these systems have limitations, for example, they may not operate properly when the vehicle is traveling at or more quickly than a certain speed. Unlike an automatic driving system, driving assistive technologies are based on the assumption that the driver will constantly check the surrounding situation and perform the necessary driving operation, so the driver must correctly understand the limitations and points of caution and not put too much faith in the technology when driving.

Advanced safety vehicle (ASV) — Vehicles equipped with the following technologies are already in use.

Technology Description
Collision damage mitigation braking system A system that senses the distance to the vehicle or obstacles ahead by means of radar and notifies the driver of danger or automatically engages the brakes when the speed or distance of approach suggests the risk of a collision.
Sudden starting, etc. suppression device for pedal misapplication, etc. When starting or traveling at low speed, if the driver accidentally depresses the accelerator or delays in braking operation, even though there is an obstacle such as a wall in the direction of travel, the system warns the driver with sound and display, and automatically controls the engine output and brake to help prevent a collision.
Lane keeping assist (LKA) A system that recognizes the lane ahead with an installed camera and assists steering or cautions the driver of veering out of a lane to make it easier to stay in a lane on a straight road of an expressway.
Adaptive cruise control (ACC) A system that makes the vehicle travel at a set speed, or, if the vehicle ahead is slower than that speed, makes the vehicle travel in response to the speed of the vehicle ahead, maintaining an appropriate distance with it.
Electronic stability control (ESC) A system that corrects the vehicle's direction of travel by applying the appropriate brake to each wheel automatically when the sensors detect skidding of the vehicle due to sudden steering, traveling on a slippery road surface, etc.

They are all for reducing the burden on a driver or to compensate for their mistakes. Such devices do not change the responsibility of the driver to pay attention to his/her surroundings and to drive to minimize danger.

3. Automated Driving Vehicle

An automated driving vehicle refers to an automobile equipped with an automatic driving system (a device that, within the conditions of use, has the ability to replace all of the driver's cognitive, predictive, judgmental, and operational abilities necessary to operate the vehicle.).

Each automatic driving system has its own set of conditions of use under which the system can be used properly. For example, there are conditions related to roads, such as "limited to the expressway", and conditions related to weather, such as "sunny days only". Automated driving without following the conditions of use is dangerous and therefore prohibited.

Also note that, as the driver must immediately return to normal driving when no longer meeting the conditions of use of the automatic driving system or the vehicle has a breakdown, drinking or sleeping is not allowed.

In the event of an accident or violation during automated driving, the driver may not necessarily be exempt from liability.

When driving an automated driving vehicle, be aware of the following.

① Preparations for driving Even when driving with an automatic driving system (during automated driving), as the driver, he/she must be responsible and conduct safe driving. Correctly understand the details of the conditions of use, the performance, and how to use the automatic driving system, and use the system appropriately without excessive confidence when driving.

② Prohibition against automated driving outside the conditions of use Do not drive using the automatic driving system outside the conditions of use.

③ Points to be complied with during automated driving During automated driving, the driver must be able to immediately recognize a request to take over the driving operation issued by the automatic driving system or an abnormality in the automated driving vehicle, and must be ready to take over the driving operation.

④ Taking over driving operations When a request to take over the driving operation issued by the automatic driving system or an abnormality of the automated driving vehicle is recognized, the driver must immediately check the surrounding conditions and start the necessary driving operation.

⑤ Driving with systems that support safe driving In addition to the automatic driving system, automated driving vehicles may be equipped with systems that assist the driver in driving safely, each of which differs in performance and usage. When driving an automated driving vehicle, always be aware of the devices and systems that are in operation, and drive properly without excessive confidence.

Attention: Be cautious around automated driving vehicles Drivers and pedestrians in the vicinity need to be aware of the following regarding automated driving vehicles.

Levels of driving automation technology (definition of automated driving)

Classification Driving automation level Overview Subject of driving operation
Advanced safety vehicle Level 0 The driver performs all driving operations. (No driving automation) Driver
Advanced safety vehicle Level 1 Under certain conditions, the system partially executes either accelerating/braking operation or steering wheel operation. (Driving assistance) Driver
Advanced safety vehicle Level 2 Under certain conditions, the system partially executes both accelerating/braking operation and steering wheel operation. (Partial driving automation) Driver
Automated driving vehicle Level 3 Under certain conditions, the system performs all driving operations. When continued operation is difficult, the driver responds appropriately to the system's request for intervention, etc. (Conditional driving automation) System (driver if continued operation is difficult)
Automated driving vehicle Level 4 Under certain conditions, the system performs all driving operations and responds appropriately when continued operation is difficult. (Advanced driving automation) System
Automated driving vehicle Level 5 The system performs all driving operations and responds appropriately when continued operation is difficult, under all conditions. (Full driving automation) System

Let's Try — Course Content 14: Check your understanding with right/wrong questions. (See page 275 for answers.)

  1. When shifting an automatic transmission vehicle's gearshift to P, it must be done after the vehicle has completely stopped, or it will cause the vehicle to break.
  2. Operations of the accelerator pedal and the brake pedal are the basics of driving an automatic transmission vehicle, and there is no need to pay special attention to operating the gearshift.
  3. When operating the accelerator pedal to start moving in an automatic transmission vehicle, it is best to gradually release the brake pedal, then gently depress the accelerator pedal after the vehicle has started moving.
  4. When driving an automatic transmission vehicle to enter the main through lanes of an expressway, it is best to shift the gearshift to L to accelerate.
  5. When the gearshift of an automatic transmission vehicle is not in P or N, it is important to firmly depress the brake pedal, because the creep effect occurs.
  6. When starting the engine of an automatic transmission vehicle, a driver must check that the hand brake is engaged and the gearshift is in P, then start the engine while depressing the brake pedal.
  7. When starting to move in an automatic transmission vehicle, not looking to confirm the gearshift position is dangerous.
  8. The engine braking on an automatic transmission vehicle is less effective, so travel on downward slopes while adjusting the speed using the foot brake and the hand brake.
  9. Be aware that the engine revolution is high when traveling in an automatic transmission vehicle just after the engine has been started, and just releasing the accelerator pedal could provide insufficient deceleration.
  10. The power of the engine is constantly transmitted to the wheels on an automatic two-wheeled vehicle, so stability is never lost, even when the throttle is released.

(正: right, 誤: wrong)