Transmission in motor vehicles could either be in the form of manual or automatic.
The functions for both categories are also the same but the difference is in the functionality of each.
In manual transmissions, the driver is required to shift gears manually using a clutch and a gear shift. The gear shift can either be floor shift or even mounted next to the steering wheel itself.
However, the manual transmission does not have the shift lock release mechanism.
Equally, the automatic transmission does not have a clutch and does not require the driver to shift gears manually.
The gear shift is different as well. It does not have the "H" looking pattern of a manual transmission.
Automatic transmissions generally have a vertically descending gear shift which allows the driver to switch between options like; park, reverse, neutral etc.
The automobile transmission is designed to switch between those automatically by adjusting itself to the motion of the car.
Shift lock release is generally a button that is built onto the lever. It allows the driver to lock the gear lever into a particular option.
For example, when the driver parks the car, he/she can switch the lever into the parking option and lock it there. The lever cannot be moved until the shift lock is released.
How to Use Shift Lock
When the shift lock button is pressed, it causes the lock to release, thus allowing you to shift the lever to the desired option.
As you release the lock, the lever will move as you desire. All you need to do is choose the option that you need to put the transmission in, and then press the button again.
Pressing the button again will let you lock the lever on that setting.
This is also a useful measure taken by manufacturers because this makes driving safer.
The shift lock allows the driver the safety of driving in a particular motion, for example forward, but will not allow the driver to switch to reverse while driving.
Imperatively, the shift lock release option for automatic transmissions is a measure taken by manufacturers to protect the transmission as it is being automatically operated.
In manual transmissions, the driver is in control and that allows him/her to control the gear shift according to their preference.
