How Many Gears Does an Automatic Transmission Have?

[EdenAnn]

Generally, an automatic transmission car has six gears, which are, from top to bottom: P, R, N, D, S, L. The most commonly used automatic gears are Park (P), Reverse (R), Neutral (N), and Drive (D). How to Use P Gear: When you want to park the vehicle for a long time, especially on a slope, you need to shift to P gear. At this time, the wheels are mechanically locked, ensuring the vehicle cannot move while stationary. How to Use R Gear: When shifting to Reverse (R), some vehicles require pressing the safety button on the gear shift to move the gear lever to R. It is particularly important to note that you cannot shift into R gear while the car is moving; you must wait until the vehicle comes to a complete stop before engaging reverse. How to Use N Gear: Neutral (N) can be used when starting the vehicle or towing it, as well as when waiting at traffic lights, in traffic jams, or for brief stops. When shifting into N gear, you should also engage the handbrake. On a slope, to prevent rolling, you should also press the brake pedal. However, coasting in N gear downhill is prohibited, as it not only does not save fuel but can also damage the transmission. The neutral gear in an automatic transmission is very different from that in a manual transmission. How to Use D Gear: When starting, to shift from Park (P) to Drive (D), you must press the brake pedal and press a switch on the gear lever to release P gear. After shifting into D gear, release the brake pedal, and the vehicle will enter idle mode. At this point, gently pressing the accelerator pedal will complete the start.

[VanEmmett]

As a veteran driver with decades of experience in automatic transmission vehicles, I've witnessed remarkable changes in gear numbers. The earliest cars mostly had 4-speed automatics with just basic positions like P, R, N, D. Back then, driving on highways meant dealing with strong gear shift jerks and poor fuel efficiency. Nowadays, new models frequently come with 8, 9 or even 10 speeds - some BMW variants have 10 gears. The advantages are tangible: smoother shifts, quicker acceleration and better fuel economy. I've personally driven Honda's 8-speed model which delivers thrilling highway overtaking. However, too many gears can feel unnecessarily complex - most daily driving just requires staying in D mode. I sometimes miss the simplicity of older cars. For used car buyers, I'd recommend checking gear wear as it affects performance.

[ColinFitz]

I just started learning to drive not long ago, and the gear positions of an automatic transmission are actually quite simple. There are mainly four basic positions: P for Parking, R for Reverse, N for Neutral, and D for Drive. Many cars allow you to switch directly on the steering wheel or center console. Some models might have a few more, like L for Low gear to help with deceleration when climbing hills, or S for Sport mode for faster acceleration. The Toyota Corolla I drive has 8 forward gears, but you don’t really need to understand that much for daily driving—just shift to D and go. I recommend beginners read the car manual, as different cars have varying numbers of gears, commonly 6 to 8 speeds. More gears mean smoother driving but might require more maintenance.

[OElijah]

From the perspective of car enthusiasts, today's automatic transmissions are quite impressive, typically ranging from 6-speed up to 10-speed. For example, Ford's Mustang features a 10-speed automatic transmission with a Sport mode for manual shifting and an Eco mode for fuel efficiency. Electric vehicles like Tesla have fewer gears, using only forward and reverse buttons. More gears improve efficiency but increase mechanical complexity and potential failure risks. The market mainstream is 8-speed vehicles, balancing performance and economy. Drivers should select the appropriate mode based on road conditions, such as using L mode to prevent skidding in rainy weather.