Chevrolet: shifting w/auto transmission, transmission repairs, vechile

Question
my daughter has a 1992 RS Camero..automatic transmission.  Her friends are telling her that she can shift from drive to reverse etc. etc. without using the "latch" button to shift.  won't this harm the transmission shifting process or something..I'm not literate at all on cars, but if the "button" is there it is for a reason right? and should not be just "shoved" or "pulled" without using the "button",,thanks!!

Answer
Hi Pepper, Tell your daughter NOT to listen to her friends.That button is to prevent the transmission from shifting into reverse or park while moving forward. It should not shift into reverse or park without pressing the button, if it does it is not working properly. She should not shift the transmission into any gear while the vechile is moving, it could result in damage to the transmission, and we all know how expensive transmission repairs are. I hope this helps you. Thanks for the question, Keith.