
The method for shifting gears on the Lynk & Co 02: Press the "One-Button Start" key, at which point the car engine ignites and starts running, then shift into "R" or "D" gear. The Lynk & Co 02 features a neutral position between each gear. When the vehicle is in "P" gear, shifting into "D" requires pushing the gear lever twice—the first push shifts into "N" (neutral), and the second push shifts into "D" (drive). More details about the Lynk & Co 02's gears are as follows: 1. "P" Gear: When temporarily stopping or parking for an extended period, press the "P" button below the gear lever to engage the parking gear. The dashboard will display a lit "P" letter. If auto-hold is enabled, the handbrake will activate automatically. 2. "D" Gear: While holding the brake, pull the gear lever backward twice, and the "D" light on the dashboard will illuminate. Gently release the foot brake, and the vehicle will start moving. 3. "N" Gear: When in "D" or "R" gear, push the gear lever in the opposite direction once to shift into neutral ("N"), which will be indicated on the dashboard. This can be used for temporary stops, such as waiting at a red light (if auto-hold is enabled, there's no need to press the brake; otherwise, press the brake to prevent rolling). 4. "R" Gear: When the vehicle is in "P" or "N" gear, push the gear lever forward twice, and the "R" light on the dashboard will illuminate. (It is recommended to disable auto-hold when frequently moving forward and backward, such as during reverse parking or parallel parking.) 5. Manual Mode: When in "D" gear, to activate manual mode, push the gear lever to the right once for 1st gear (the dashboard will display this), and so on for 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, and 6th gears. Downshifting is done by pushing the lever to the left (with a neutral position in between). To exit manual mode, push the gear lever downward once to return to "D" gear automatic mode. 6. When turning off the engine and exiting the vehicle, regardless of the current gear, press the "P" gear, engage the handbrake (unless auto-hold is enabled), press the "One-Button Start" key to turn off the engine, and lock the vehicle when exiting.

Having driven the Lynk & Co 02 for two years, its electronic gear lever operation is exceptionally intuitive. Before shifting gears, you must fully depress the brake pedal, press and hold the unlock button on the left side of the gear lever with your thumb, push forward for R (Reverse) gear, pull back to the first position for N (Neutral) gear, and pull all the way back for D (Drive) gear. When parking, simply press the silver button on top of the gear lever to engage P (Park) gear, at which point the dashboard will display the P gear indicator. Beginners should note two things: when shifting gears, the unlock button must be pressed all the way down, otherwise the lever won't move; and when switching between reverse and drive, you must wait until the car comes to a complete stop before operating. The car's auto-hold function is also very convenient—when waiting at a red light, a firm press on the brake pedal means you don't have to keep your foot on it.

The electronic gear lever of the Lynk & Co 02 is designed with great ergonomics, making each gear shift feel like using a game controller. Press the brake and the side button while pushing forward for reverse gear (R), and the dashboard will display 'R' along with the rearview camera. A gentle single pull backward puts it in neutral (N), ideal for short stops. Pulling all the way down engages drive (D) for everyday driving. For manual shifting fun, simply use the paddle shifters behind the steering wheel while in D mode. In rare cases where the gear can't be engaged after the engine stalls, remember there's a small cover on the side of the gear area – prying it open with a key allows mechanical gear unlocking. This design is much safer than traditional mechanical levers, preventing accidental gear changes while driving.

The key to shifting gears in the Lynk & Co 02 lies in finding the right rhythm. Before starting, press the brake firmly, use your right thumb to hold down the raised button on the left side of the gear lever, then operate it like a switch: gently push forward for reverse gear, and gently pull backward for drive gear, with each step offering a distinct clicking sensation. There's no need to repeatedly shift gears during temporary stops; simply press the brake deeply to activate the auto-hold function, and you can release your foot once the green foot icon lights up on the dashboard. The gear automatically returns to P (Park) when the engine is turned off, but it's recommended to engage the electronic parking brake before pressing the P button when parking on a slope to protect the transmission. Once you get the hang of it, the gear lever can be operated with one hand, making it especially effortless during red lights.

When I first got my Lynk & Co 02, I spent a long time figuring out the gear lever, but now I can operate it with my eyes closed. The core steps are divided into three parts: press the brake pedal firmly, hold down the silver button on the gear lever without releasing, push forward for reverse gear (R), and pull backward for drive gear (D). Key point to note on the dashboard: when in R gear, the central display automatically switches to the rearview camera, N gear shows blank, and D gear displays the speed. In emergencies, pressing the start button twice in quick succession can force the gear into N for towing. I remember the salesperson specifically warned me when I picked up the car: never press the P button while moving, or the transmission will make a clanking noise. The biggest advantage of this electronic gear lever is that it automatically refuses to execute if the wrong gear is selected, making it especially suitable for beginners who tend to panic.

The Lynk & Co 02's electronic gear lever requires coordinated operation with the brake to respond. Hold the gear knob like a microphone with your right hand, resting your thumb naturally on the side button. When reversing, press the button all the way down and push forward; when moving forward, pull backward—do it decisively without hesitation. A practical tip: When starting on rainy days or steep slopes, lightly tap the accelerator to release the electronic parking brake before shifting from P to D, which helps prevent rolling. Although the gear lever has a short travel, each shift comes with slight vibration feedback, and the audible click from the transmission confirms engagement. After six months of driving, I've found this design maximizes space efficiency—the center console can hold two extra coffee cups, which is especially handy while waiting for my girlfriend after work.


