hard to move from P to R on an auto 2009 mazda3

[zeron]

I have an less 10 month old mazda3 hatch. Recently it has been difficult to shift from Parking to Reverse position. I had to floor the brake in order for the shift to occur smoothly. I am wondering if it is an early sign of some major problems? Also I wonder if my driving habit could contribute to it: I usually move from R to N to D without braking.

[TheMAN]

do you use the parking brake?

[cwp_sedan]

do you use the parking brake?

+1. Do you come to a stop when switching from R to D?

[MajesticBlueNTO]

I have an less 10 month old mazda3 hatch. Recently it has been difficult to shift from Parking to Reverse position. I had to floor the brake in order for the shift to occur smoothly. I am wondering if it is an early sign of some major problems? Also I wonder if my driving habit could contribute to it: I usually move from R to N to D without braking.

do you park on an incline when moving from P to R? do you set the parking brake before releasing the brake either before going into P or after going into P?

when you move from R-N-D without stepping on the brake, is the car moving? not braking while changing directions (R to D) on an automatic is a recipe for a blown transmission.

[TheMAN]

and blown motor mounts

[crono06]

On an unrelated note, I pull my handbrake AFTER I set my transmission to P. Is this how it's supposed to be done? Or am I supposed to pull the handbrake before setting to P?

And to relate to the topic, I don't think it's very safe to go from R-N-D without braking, and still rolling... My friend does this a lot from what I've seen though, and no problems for him... But take that for what you will.

[cwp_sedan]

On an unrelated note, I pull my handbrake AFTER I set my transmission to P. Is this how it's supposed to be done? Or am I supposed to pull the handbrake before setting to P?

And to relate to the topic, I don't think it's very safe to go from R-N-D without braking, and still rolling... My friend does this a lot from what I've seen though, and no problems for him... But take that for what you will.

Parking brake then P. Vice versa when leaving (P to R/D then release the parking brake). Parking on an incline with the transmission in park without the parking brake engaged will cause undue stress on the parking pin.


I roll on occasion but I'm pretty much at a stop. Also don't jump on the gas or you may find your gears all over the road. :chuckle

[tweak_s]

Parking brake then P. Vice versa when leaving (P to R/D then release the parking brake). Parking on an incline with the transmission in park without the parking brake engaged will cause undue stress on the parking pin.


I roll on occasion but I'm pretty much at a stop. Also don't jump on the gas or you may find your gears all over the road. :chuckle

Not to threadjack too far but when I drove an auto, and habits from my driving school, I'd actually go neutral, hand brake, let the brake out, so the weight of the car is on the handbrake and not on the tranny, then go brake and P. Seems like a lot of work but...quick if it was a habit.

[TheMAN]

Parking brake then P. Vice versa when leaving (P to R/D then release the parking brake). Parking on an incline with the transmission in park without the parking brake engaged will cause undue stress on the parking pin.


I roll on occasion but I'm pretty much at a stop. Also don't jump on the gas or you may find your gears all over the road. :chuckle


On an unrelated note, I pull my handbrake AFTER I set my transmission to P. Is this how it's supposed to be done? Or am I supposed to pull the handbrake before setting to P?

And to relate to the topic, I don't think it's very safe to go from R-N-D without braking, and still rolling... My friend does this a lot from what I've seen though, and no problems for him... But take that for what you will.


Not to threadjack too far but when I drove an auto, and habits from my driving school, I'd actually go neutral, hand brake, let the brake out, so the weight of the car is on the handbrake and not on the tranny, then go brake and P. Seems like a lot of work but...quick if it was a habit.

putting it into park before or after you pull the parking brake doesn't matter so long as your foot is on the brake the whole time you pull the parking brake and putting into park

the whole idea behind it is so that the car isn't moving during this process

[zeron]

When coming out of a garage here is what I usually do:

Press brake; release hand break, move from P to R; when the rear wheels are on the driveway (which is slopped downward), move from R to N, let the car roll down to the street; then move from N to D while the car is still moving backward slowly

i guess the last part is no good?

[crono06]

putting it into park before or after you pull the parking brake doesn't matter so long as your foot is on the brake the whole time you pull the parking brake and putting into park

the whole idea behind it is so that the car isn't moving during this process
Oh alright, that's what I've been doing along xD cwp_sedan had me a little worried at first xP


When coming out of a garage here is what I usually do:

Press brake; release hand break, move from P to R; when the rear wheels are on the driveway (which is slopped downward), move from R to N, let the car roll down to the street; then move from N to D while the car is still moving backward slowly

i guess the last part is no good?
I think it depends on what your definition of "slow" is... I'll admit I've done it a couple times, and so far, no problems.

[cwp_sedan]

Oh alright, that's what I've been doing along xD cwp_sedan had me a little worried at first xP

Oh come on now lol. :chuckle

[blankets3]

This thread is so confusing........

thank god i got a stick

[TheMAN]

When coming out of a garage here is what I usually do:

Press brake; release hand break, move from P to R; when the rear wheels are on the driveway (which is slopped downward), move from R to N, let the car roll down to the street; then move from N to D while the car is still moving backward slowly

i guess the last part is no good?
and what's wrong with leaving it in reverse the whole time? if some dude runs into you while you're rolling out the driveway in neutral, he can just tell the cops/insurance that your reverse lights were out!

[Fuman]

When coming out of a garage here is what I usually do:

Press brake; release hand break, move from P to R; when the rear wheels are on the driveway (which is slopped downward), move from R to N, let the car roll down to the street; then move from N to D while the car is still moving backward slowly

i guess the last part is no good?
ppl are asking you how you parked, not how you start moving your car.
the possible additional stress present on P, can cause what you are experience

shifting to D when the car is still rolling backwards = rough shifts down the road. My guardian does this all the time, her C230 shifts like shit. It was a little better after we replaced the "lifetime" transmission fluid because the seal was leaking.


tweak_s - thats what I do too, just to make sure all the weight is on the handbrake and not P.

[TheMAN]

I find that half the people who do use their parking brake don't pull it up all the way like they should.... my mom is one of them... annoying as hell, but at least her car is an auto