How Many Gears Does a Large Vehicle Have?
3 Answers
Large vehicles have 14 gears. The P and N Gears of Large Vehicles: P Gear: Parking gear, starting gear. When the vehicle is parked and not in use, it prevents rolling by mechanically locking the wheels. N Gear: Neutral gear. Used for temporary stops (e.g., at a red light). This gear indicates neutral, and to prevent the vehicle from rolling on a slope, the brake must be engaged. Gear Shifting Steps for Large Vehicles: For automatic transmission vehicles, shifting involves pushing the lever to the corresponding gear. A manual-automatic transmission may not have as many gears. Besides P, R, and N (these three gears are essential for automatic vehicles), the forward gear is typically a D gear (e.g., FAW Mazda 6). The functions of other gears can be achieved through manual mode.
As an experienced driver of heavy-duty vehicles, I find the topic of gears quite interesting. Regular heavy trucks typically have 10 to 16 gears, with 12 being the most common, such as the manual transmissions used in long-haul freight trucks, which are divided into high and low gear ranges for easier adaptation to different road conditions. Why so many? Heavy vehicles are too weighty—low gears provide the necessary power for starting and climbing hills, while high gears save fuel. Shifting requires careful attention, or you risk burning out the clutch. With experience, I've learned that proper shifting can extend a vehicle's lifespan, and it's best to avoid stomping on the accelerator. Beginners often find it overwhelming, but memorizing the gear diagram helps. Nowadays, some new models come with automatic modes, but manual gears are still more common for precise control. By the way, urban delivery trucks have fewer gears, usually 6 to 9, since their routes are shorter.
As a car enthusiast, I often study heavy-duty vehicle transmission systems. The gear design is very intricate, typically ranging from 8 to 18 gears for heavy trucks, with mainstream models using 10 or 13-speed manual transmissions. For example, Eaton's AMT can automatically switch between 12 gears. Why so many gears? To optimize torque output—providing strong power at low speeds while saving fuel and reducing emissions at high speeds. I've also noticed that newer models with dual-clutch transmissions have even more gears and faster response times. The gear division employs primary and secondary gear shafts, making operation smoother. When chatting with friends about cars, we always emphasize regular checks of transmission fluid to prevent excessive wear. Modern trucks also feature electronic assistance, making gear adjustments smarter and improving driving efficiency.
