How to Shift a Serpentine Gear
2 Answers
Shifting a serpentine gear is not much different from shifting a straight-line gear. The shifting method for a serpentine gear is as follows: 1. For turning off the engine and long-term parking, shift to "P" gear and engage the handbrake. 2. For moving forward, shift to "D" gear. For safety, you should press the brake when shifting to "D" gear, and then slowly release the brake after shifting. At this time, due to the power output, the car will move forward slowly even without pressing the accelerator. Some cars have D3, D2, D1, L, or S gears after "D" gear, the principle of which is to limit the automatic transmission from shifting to higher gears. 3. When the speed and RPM are not high, you can switch between "D" and "D3" gears without stopping the car. 4. For reversing, shift to "R" gear. Similarly, you should press the brake to shift, and switching between "D" and "R" should only be done when the car is completely stopped to avoid damaging the transmission. 5. For neutral and short-term parking, shift to "N" gear. "N" is only a transition between "D" and "R". For example, when waiting at a red light, parking for less than half a minute does not require shifting to "N" gear; just stay in "D" gear and press the brake. For parking for one or two minutes, shift to "N" gear and engage the handbrake. For parking for four or five minutes or longer, shift to "P" gear and turn off the engine.
When I first started learning to drive, I was most afraid of shifting the serpentine gear incorrectly because it follows a Z-shaped path with letters like P, R, N, and D lined up. Before shifting, you must ensure the car is completely stopped, especially on a slope—press the brake pedal firmly to prevent rolling. Then, grip the gear lever with your hand and push it slowly. For example, pull it to R for reverse, D for driving forward, and press P for parking. Don’t rush; practice in an open area first. Like the first time I tried, I shifted to neutral (N), and when I pressed the accelerator, the car didn’t move—I panicked! Once you’re familiar with the symbols, it gets much easier. Some cars even have an L gear for low-speed climbing. Remember to press the brake every time you shift gears. If you don’t hear a click, the gear isn’t fully engaged. If you’re unsure, check the dashboard for the current gear position. Repeat it a few times, and it’ll become a habit.
