Can You Shift from S to D Gear While Driving an Automatic Transmission Car?
4 Answers
D gear and S gear can be switched at any time without being affected by speed or road conditions, and there is no need to press the brake pedal. However, some CVT vehicles have a DS sport driving mode in addition to the S gear button on the gear lever, which is somewhat similar to the low gear (L gear). Automatic transmission cars have several gear positions: R, P, D, N, L, and S. The specific usage is as follows: 1. R gear: Used for reversing, also known as the reverse gear. It is important to note that the car must come to a complete stop before shifting into R gear. 2. P gear: Used for parking, meaning the engine stops working. Therefore, many people refer to this as the parking gear. 3. D gear: Primarily used for driving forward, known as the drive gear, and is the basic gear for automatic transmission cars. 4. N gear: Similar to the neutral gear in manual transmissions, with no difference in principle. It can be used when approaching a red light. 5. L gear: A low gear used for uphill driving or overtaking. 6. S gear: The sport mode, which allows free switching among all gear positions.
I've been driving for fifteen years and often use the S gear when overtaking on the highway. After overtaking, I just release the throttle and switch back to D gear without any issues. The design of automatic transmissions allows you to freely switch gears without stopping or pressing the brake—the car will adjust the RPM on its own. Just remember not to forcefully yank the gear lever during rapid acceleration, as that can cause severe transmission jerking. I recommend performing the shift when the road is steady, like on a straightaway—just release the throttle and gently flick the lever. Also, be mindful with older cars; if the transmission responds slowly, the shift interval might be slightly longer. In short, shift with confidence—cars aren’t that fragile. Engineers have already accounted for these scenarios in the design.
Here's how I operated during my last mountain road trip: Use S mode to maintain power when going uphill, and simply shift to D mode on flat roads. Modern automatic transmissions have protective programs, so shifting while driving won't harm the car. The key is to avoid two wrong operations—don't switch when the accelerator is fully pressed, and don't look down for the gear while turning. Actually, D mode and S mode are like two rhythms of the same song; switching anytime won't affect the mechanical structure. I'm used to shifting when the speed stabilizes around 60 km/h, as the engine RPM is most stable then. If your car has paddle shifters, it's even more convenient—just a thumb press and it's done.
Absolutely can switch! This is how I commute daily: use S gear when climbing out of the garage to prevent rolling back, then shift back to D gear on flat roads for fuel efficiency. The automatic transmission's hydraulic system cushions the impact, just like a diver pressing water when entering. But note two points: some older models require holding the shift lock button to switch; hybrids may briefly disconnect power during shifting. Recommend practicing on straight roads initially, it'll become as natural as adjusting radio volume with practice. Remember to keep the steering wheel stable during shifts - that's more important than the shifting itself.
