How many gears does an automatic transmission car have?
3 Answers
An automatic transmission car has 6 gears, from top to bottom: P, R, N, D, S, L. P stands for Parking, which is the parking gear used when the car is parked and not in use, locking the wheels mechanically to prevent rolling; R stands for Reverse, which is the reverse gear used when backing up; N stands for Neutral, which is the neutral gear used for temporary stops. To prevent the car from rolling on a slope, the brake must be applied; D stands for Drive, which is the forward gear, also known as the driving gear, used when moving forward; S stands for Sport, which is the sport mode. When this gear is engaged, the gears can be freely switched, but the shifting timing is delayed to keep the engine at high RPM for a period, increasing the car's power; L stands for Low, which is the low gear used when going downhill or on long slopes. This allows the car to use the engine's power for braking, preventing the brake pads from overheating due to prolonged braking, which could be dangerous.
I've been driving automatic transmission cars for over a decade and noticed there's quite a variety in gear numbers. Depending on the model, they range from early 4-speed transmissions to current 8, 9, or even 10-speed ones. Mid-range cars typically have 6 or 7 gears, while luxury brands like Mercedes-Benz and BMW often come with 9-speed transmissions. The advantage of more gears is smoother shifting, lower RPM during highway cruising, resulting in reduced noise and better fuel efficiency. For my urban commute, cars with more gears start very smoothly without any jerking. Some vehicles use CVT transmissions, which don't have fixed gears but simulate gear shifts, offering a comfortable driving experience. Generally, the number of gears depends on the car's age and brand. When choosing a car, you can refer to the manual – most range between 4 to 10 gears, with the new trend leaning towards increasing numbers.
Just got a new automatic SUV with 8 gears, and it's quite hassle-free to use. The multi-gear design provides quick acceleration response, making highway overtaking particularly powerful. Compared to my dad's old car with only 4 gears, the 8-speed is quieter and more fuel-efficient, especially in eco mode, which is very environmentally friendly. When choosing the car, the salesperson emphasized the importance of gear count, saying it enhances driving comfort and longevity. Modern cars typically have between 6 to 9 gears, and although CVT models don't have fixed gears, their performance is similar. My personal advice is to test drive more to understand the impact of gear count, as it significantly affects daily driving, especially making long trips more comfortable.
