How to Distinguish Between Different Types of Gear Shift Levers in the Car?
2 Answers
Compared to the manual transmission's operation mode of moving forward, backward, left, and right, this straight-pull automatic transmission gear lever can only select gears by moving forward and backward. Its shape is curved without any specific pattern. In addition to the commonly used D, R, N, and P gears, it also features a manual shifting function. The gear design saves space on the gear lever, resembling more of a windshield wiper lever—not only compact but also extremely convenient to operate. It exudes a strong sense of technology and is equipped with a gear correction function. The computer can determine the correct required gear in real-time based on the operation method. This is a mainstream configuration in some high-end models, and Jaguar cars currently prefer adopting this type of gear shifting method.
Distinguishing the control levers inside a car is actually quite simple, mainly by looking at their position and function. From my driving experience, the lever on the left side of the steering wheel is for the turn signals—push it up for a right turn and pull it down for a left turn. Don’t mix them up, as it can easily cause misunderstandings. On the right side of the steering wheel is the gear shift lever, used for changing gears while driving. Manual cars have multiple positions, while automatic cars have P, R, N, and D gears. There may also be a windshield wiper lever on the steering column, marked with a water droplet icon—a gentle flick can clear the windshield. As for the handbrake lever, older cars have it near the center console between the seats—pull it up to prevent rolling on slopes. However, many cars now have an electronic button instead. Remember, every time you get in the car, familiarize yourself with the lever positions before starting. Don’t rush to start the engine. With practice, you’ll naturally learn to distinguish them, especially since improper operation at high speeds can be very dangerous.
