How to Shift Between D and S Gears in an Automatic Transmission?
2 Answers
Automatic transmission shifting between D and S gears is done by directly pushing the gear lever to switch. In an automatic transmission, the driver does not need to manually shift gears; the vehicle automatically selects the appropriate gear based on the driving speed and traffic conditions. The D gear in an automatic transmission refers to the manual mode of a semi-automatic transmission, allowing manual control over gear shifting (both upshifting and downshifting). When using the D gear, there is no need to press the brake or release the accelerator. The S gear is the sports mode of the car, where the transmission can shift freely, but the shifting timing is delayed, keeping the engine at high RPM for a longer period. This allows the car to maintain low gear and high RPM for an extended time, resulting in greater torque output and acceleration.
When I first learned to drive an automatic car, I was quite curious about gear shifting. Switching from D to S is super easy: while driving, just push the gear lever from D to S with your hand—no need to brake or stop. S stands for Sport mode, which provides stronger acceleration and is great for climbing hills or overtaking; the engine RPM will be higher. The first time I tried it, the car responded much quicker, and the lever felt smooth to push. Don’t worry about damaging the car—normal operation is designed to handle it. But avoid frequent aggressive shifting to save fuel. The gear lever is usually located on the center console. If you forget how to shift, check the vehicle manual. For daily driving, D mode is sufficient, but switching to S makes the car more powerful and agile. This method works for almost all automatic cars, and you’ll get the hang of it after a few tries.
