Do You Need to Press the Brake When Using S Gear?

[MiguelFitz]

S Gear does not require pressing the brake and is typically used for climbing hills and quick overtaking. Shifting from D Gear to S Gear does not require pressing the brake; you can directly push the gear lever into the "S" position while the car is moving. The same applies when switching back to D Gear. However, it's important to note that in some car models, the S Gear is placed next to the gear lever in the form of a button, such as in Nissan series models. Below are some relevant details: 1. Shifting from P Gear to any other gear requires pressing the brake: This is a safety feature to ensure driving safety. If you shift from P to R or D without pressing the brake, the car may immediately generate backward or forward driving force. The handbrake alone may not be sufficient to stabilize the car, which could lead to danger. If the accelerator is accidentally pressed at the same time, even pressing the brake afterward may not prevent accidents involving people or property. Manufacturers now design unlock buttons that prevent shifting from P Gear to other gears without pressing the brake. 2. D-N and R-N shifts require the car to be stationary: For automatic transmission cars, it is best to shift from D Gear or R Gear to Neutral (N) when the car is stationary. This is because the gear positions in an automatic transmission are controlled by the clamping and releasing of one-way clutches. When a gear is engaged, the corresponding clutch is pressed under the action of the hydraulic mechanism, and when the gear is disengaged, the hydraulic mechanism releases the pressure to loosen the clutch. If the car is still moving when shifting out of a gear, the wheels will continue to drive the gear mechanism, leading to increased wear on the gear clutch.