
Lynk & Co 03 uses an electronic gear shift. Simply push the gear lever lightly to shift. The upper position of the electronic gear lever is the reverse gear (R). Pushing the lever forward engages reverse, allowing the car to move backward. Pushing the lever backward engages the drive gear (D) for forward movement. The parking gear (P) is operated via a button. Here are the details: 1. The gear positions of an automatic transmission car are relatively simple and very convenient to operate. The P position refers to the parking gear, also known as the parking brake. When the car needs to be parked for a long time, simply press this button to stop the car. Note that the P gear should only be used when the car has come to a complete stop, otherwise it may damage the car's locking mechanism. 2. The R gear represents the reverse gear, used when the car needs to move backward. To engage reverse, first ensure the car is completely stopped, then press the safety button on the shift lever before moving the lever to the R position. The N gear stands for neutral. This gear is not used for long periods and is typically used during brief stops, such as waiting at traffic lights.

Driving the automatic transmission version of the Lynk & Co 03, I've developed my own operating routine. Upon entering the car, I first press the brake pedal firmly and push the one-touch start button to activate the engine. At this point, the electronic gear shift's unlock button must be held down to move the lever - a gentle pull backward to D gear makes the dashboard display 'Ready to Start'. For reversing, pushing the lever forward to R gear instantly activates the rearview camera for better visibility. Temporarily stopping is easiest in N gear, eliminating worries about rolling at red lights. After coming to a complete stop, simply press the P gear button, and the electronic parking brake automatically engages. The car also features a manual mode, accessible by shifting the lever right from D position, allowing simulated gear changes via the +/- buttons on top of the lever - particularly useful for mountain roads. Remember to firmly press the brake during gear shifts to prevent accidental engagement.

When I first drove the Lynk & Co 03, I was always nervous about shifting gears incorrectly, but now I'm much more proficient. Before starting, the brake must be fully depressed to unlock and move the gear lever. For driving straight, pull the gear lever back to the D position, and the dashboard will immediately display D1, indicating readiness to go. When reversing, push the gear lever forward to the R position, and the rear camera automatically activates, which is very convenient. Remember to shift to N when waiting at a red light, combined with the auto-hold function to free your feet. After parking, always press the P button on top of the gear lever—you'll hear a click confirming it's locked. Interestingly, in manual mode, pushing the gear lever to the right allows you to shift up or down, which is super useful for engine braking on long downhill slopes. The most crucial point is to keep the brake pedal depressed throughout the entire shifting process—this habit protects the transmission.

The electronic gear lever of the Lynk & Co 03 is ergonomically designed. Before starting, you must firmly press the brake, and the gear lever's lock button setting prevents misoperation. To shift into D mode, simply pull it backward with one hand—the linear damping feels smooth. When pushing forward into R mode, the reverse camera activates instantly. For short stops, just shift to N mode; when coming to a complete stop, pressing the P button automatically engages the handbrake. My favorite is the manual mode operation: while in D mode, gently push the gear lever to the right, then use your thumb to press the +/- buttons on top to control the gear, allowing for more precise RPM control. The gear lever position features indicators for the current gear, which are especially noticeable when driving at night. Remember to fully press the brake for every gear shift—safety design ensures you can't shift into P mode when the speed exceeds 2 km/h.

I always make it a habit to fasten my seatbelt before driving, which is particularly important. When shifting gears in the Lynk & Co 03, you must firmly press the brake pedal first, which isn't strenuous even for female drivers. To engage Drive (D) mode, just gently pull the gear lever backward—it's as effortless as swiping a smartphone screen. For reverse (R), push the gear lever forward, and the central display will automatically split-screen to show the rearview, which is incredibly thoughtful. At red lights, shift to Neutral (N) and press the electronic parking brake button to completely free your right foot. When parking, pressing the P button is exceptionally crisp—the gear lever automatically springs back and locks. Manual mode proves useful on mountain roads; after pushing the gear lever to the right to engage it, you can shift up or down by pushing or pulling the lever, with a much quicker response than expected. The entire operation basically follows three steps: press brake—shift gear—release brake.

Having owned seven or eight cars, the electronic gear shifter experience of the Lynk & Co 03 ranks in my top three. For a cold start, you must press the brake pedal firmly first; otherwise, the shifter locks and won't budge. Shifting to D mode only requires a light touch, and the gear change is 0.5 seconds faster than my previous traditional shifter. When shifting to reverse (R), wait until the car comes to a complete stop before pushing the shifter forward; otherwise, the system will force it back to neutral (N). Manual mode is incredibly useful for long descents: push the shifter sideways to the right and use your thumb to alternately press the +/- buttons on top to control engine RPM, significantly extending brake pad life. Always press the P button when parking—don't skip it. It engages the parking brake more reliably than manually pulling the handbrake. I've noticed this car has foolproof designs, like a beep warning for accidental shifter touches, so new owners don't need to worry much about operational mistakes.


