How to Drive a Column-Shift Car?
3 Answers
Driving method for a column-shift car: The original position is N gear (neutral), shifting down from N gear is D gear (drive), shifting up from N gear is R gear (reverse), and the protruding part on the far right is the button to control P gear (park). Usually, the dashboard will have a gear display showing the current gear. The column-shift gets its name because the gear lever is pulled towards the driver's chest when shifting, and its arrangement is the same as that of a regular automatic transmission. Common American column-shift cars in China include the Buick GL8 and the old Regal, etc.; German Mercedes-Benz also has models with column-shift, such as the C, E, R, S, ML, GL series.
The first time I drove a column shifter car, I was also confused for a long time, but later I figured it out. After starting, press the brake, use your right index finger to push down for D (Drive) to go forward, and push up for R (Reverse) to go backward—super simple. When parking, just press the button on top of the shifter to return to P (Park). However, be extra careful not to accidentally touch the shifter when turning the steering wheel—I once almost pushed D into N (Neutral). The wiper button is on the left side, so just keep it separate from the shifter. The biggest advantage of a column shifter is saving space—the center console can fit two more cups of milk tea! Remember to check the instrument panel to confirm the gear every time you shift, and you'll get used to it in three days. Now, driving a car with a traditional shifter makes my arm feel tired instead.
Getting used to the column shifter requires breaking traditional gear-shifting habits. When I first drove a Mercedes, I kept reaching for the nonexistent center console controls. In practice, it's more intuitive than expected: after ignition, step on the brake with your right foot, then simply move your fingers on the right side of the steering wheel—a light downward flick engages Drive (D), while a gentle push puts it in Reverse (R). Parking (P) is just a button press away. The key is developing the habit of checking the instrument cluster rather than relying on tactile memory for gear position. The column shifter design is genuinely clever—the turn signal and gearshift zones are distinctly separated, allowing operation without large arm movements, which reduces fatigue on long drives. Remember to engage the parking brake before shifting to P on slopes to relieve pressure on the transmission gears. Overall, it transforms complex operations into something elegant and efficient.
