SAN ANTONIO – A warning for drivers with cars that have the new stylish transmission shift.
Consumer Reports said the new design isn’t a defect, but could be confusing and lead to roll-away cars.
For decades, cars with manual transmissions used a well-known and simple design to most drivers, however, some newer cars have shifts that look and function differently.
“The problem with these unconventional gear selectors is that they make it hard to consistently pick the right gear, especially park,” Tom Mutchler with Consumer Reports said.
He said the worse-case scenario could mean roll-away cars.
Car makers said the new designs set their models apart and add a touch of luxury.
Jake Fisher, also with Consumer Reports, showed off one of those cars.
"I'm, right now, in a Mercedes Benz GLC,” Fisher said. “The shifter is a mono-stable electronic shifter. What that means is no matter what position you're in, it always returns to center. (It) makes it hard to see what gear you're in, and putting it into park is actually this small button at the end, which is completely blocked by the steering wheel."
Consumer Reports said since it is not immediately clear whether the transmission is in gear, neutral or park. Furthermore, with some models, it is possible for the car to roll after the driver gets out.
Some manufacturers have built in safeguards. Ford, Lincoln, Acura, Honda and General Motors vehicles all have automatically return to park if the door opens when the engine is on or if the engine is shut off in gear.
For now, Consumer Reports said the best thing a driver can do is to always double check when they put their car into park.
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