How to extend the life of an automatic transmission? The handbrake rule

Make it a rule — right after shifting the automatic transmission into park, always set the handbrake, and only then take your foot off the brake pedal, regardless of whether the car is on a slope or on level ground. That way, when you pull away after parking, there won't be any clunks or jerks that are harmful to the automatic transmission mechanism. Don't worry about the rear brake pads freezing up in cold weather — in a properly working system, good-quality pads don't freeze, and besides, replacing pads is far cheaper than repairing an automatic transmission. Rule number two — never floor it right after starting the engine; give your automatic transmission a few seconds to pump the oil through the system.