Gear shifting in auto

[illuzionx]

sorry if this is a really stupid question, But
When shifting in a driving gear on an auto transmission (Gen 3) , eg from L > 2 or from 2 > D (or the other way), do you need to press the thumb button? or will it destroy the transmission?

I swear when i was on my L's and i was learning in a small auto pulsar, the driving instructor was giving me a small breif about gearing and he told me not to use the button and to just pull the lever to the driving gear you want.

Does it depend on the car?

Serious answers please, i dont want to ruin my baby GEN 3, espesically when its done over 530,000k's

Thanks

[bigbird]

no u dont have to push the button to shift up. ur tranny will be fine.

[illuzionx]

how bout to shift down?

[eurohazard]

Most AT trannys can be downshifted one gear without pushing the button. This allows a quick downshift, but disallows accidental 4th gear to first gear downshifts which would be detrimental at freeway speeds in traffic.

You can go from R to N without the button.

You can go from D to N without the button.

You can go from 1 to 2 without the button. And 2 to D without the button.

But I'm pretty sure you need the button to downshift into 1, I'll check tomorrow.

[illuzionx]

wow guys! thanks so much for your help so far!

absolutely awesome this forum is!