Does Using L Gear Damage the Car?

[MacCole]

Using L gear does not damage the car. L stands for low gear, and shifting to this position allows the car to use engine power for braking when going downhill, eliminating the need for the driver to press the brake pedal for extended periods. When driving in L gear at low speeds, the engine operates at low RPMs, which has no adverse effect on the vehicle. However, using L gear at high RPMs may cause some damage to the engine. Situations where L gear is useful include: 1. When climbing steep slopes, selecting L gear limits the vehicle to low gear, preventing frequent gear shifts and providing more power for uphill driving while also protecting the transmission; 2. When driving in snowy conditions, switching to L gear helps maintain the vehicle between 1st and 2nd gears, preventing excessive fuel consumption and wear on the vehicle.

[CarmenLynn]

When I used to drive an automatic transmission car, I always worried about whether using the L gear would harm the engine. Later, I realized the key lies in proper usage. If you only shift to L gear during long steep descents, it limits gear upshifts and uses engine braking to assist deceleration, preventing brake disc overheating and failure—this is completely normal operation that won't damage the mechanics. However, frequently forcing L gear on flat roads to artificially raise RPMs does place excessive additional load on the engine and transmission, accelerating wear. My habit is to assess road conditions before descents, gently push (don't yank) when downshifting, and immediately return to D gear after the slope ends. Also, remember to change transmission fluid regularly—don't wait until strange noises appear to repair it.

[Harvey]

Using the L gear properly won't damage the car at all. It's essentially a speed-limiting gear that forcibly restricts the vehicle speed to lower gear ranges, utilizing engine compression resistance to assist with deceleration. For example, on winding mountain roads, not using it would require constant brake application until the brake pads smoke. However, some people misuse it as a sport mode, constantly revving the engine in L gear to climb slopes. This rough operation can cause the transmission fluid temperature to soar over 100°C, leading to excessive clutch plate friction. I've seen cases where transmissions needed complete replacement after just three years of such abuse. When used appropriately in reasonable scenarios, it's actually the same principle as using first gear in a manual transmission when descending slopes - perfectly safe to use.

[DiHarrison]

Using L gear normally won't harm the car. Some owners think driving in L gear saves fuel or boosts power, so they use it even on flat roads. In reality, using it on non-downhill roads keeps the RPM stuck above 4000, unnecessarily increasing internal engine wear. There are only two practical scenarios for L gear: first, to prevent brake failure on long downhill slopes; second, to gain higher torque when stuck in mud. Last winter when I was stuck in snow, switching to L gear noticeably improved wheel traction. It's best to assess road conditions and use it only when necessary.