How to Operate a Manual-Automatic Transmission?
2 Answers
In general, you can simply drive in D gear all the time; when encountering a long and steep uphill or downhill, you can switch to L gear or M gear to manually lower the gear. If you encounter a red light lasting several tens of seconds, it is recommended to shift to N gear. During normal driving, you can freely switch between D gear and manual mode without stopping to switch.
I'm very familiar with operating a semi-automatic transmission, having driven this type of car for over a decade. For daily commuting, I simply shift the gear lever to D (Drive) mode and let the car handle gear changes automatically, which is effortless and convenient. When I want manual control, I switch to M (Manual) or S (Sport) mode and use the paddle shifters behind the steering wheel to change gears—pull up to upshift and pull down to downshift. Manual mode is particularly useful when climbing hills or overtaking, as downshifting improves power response. However, avoid suddenly downshifting at high speeds, as it may overload and damage engine components. Remember to avoid prolonged high-RPM driving in low gears, as it wastes fuel and harms the car. Beginners should practice manual operation in open areas first to get familiar with gear changes before driving on roads. In heavy traffic, automatic mode is more worry-free.
