How to Use the +- Gear in Automatic Transmission's D Mode?

[Steven]

The +- gear located to the right of the D mode in an automatic transmission is used to reduce speed and increase the transmission's output torque, commonly applied during downhill or uphill driving, with uphill being more frequent. Within the "D" range, the vehicle automatically shifts from 1st to 2nd gear based on speed and engine RPM. Both AT and CVT transmissions possess this shifting capability. When driving uphill in D mode, the transmission will upshift automatically as the engine RPM increases, but can be manually controlled using the +- gear mode.

[AlinaLynn]

The other day I was driving on a mountain road for a long distance and found the plus/minus gear shift next to the D gear particularly useful. For example, during continuous downhill driving, simply pushing the gear lever towards the minus sign to downshift allows the engine's traction to assist in slowing down, reducing the need to constantly press the brake and avoiding overheating of the brake pads. The same applies when overtaking—downshifting in advance increases the RPM and provides stronger power. Pushing it upwards towards the plus sign is for upshifting, giving a sensation similar to manual gear shifting. However, don't worry about it being too complicated because the transmission has protective logic—it won't execute an upshift if the speed is too low, and it will automatically downshift if the RPM is too high. Beginners just need to remember one thing: temporarily using the plus/minus gear shift to control the gear position enhances the driving experience, but for flat roads, simply using D gear is more convenient.

[LaEliza]

I really enjoy using the manual shift mode when driving, especially on mountain roads. For normal starts, just keep it in D (Drive) gear. Switching to manual mode is simple – just push the gear lever from D to the right, and the digital gear position will display on the instrument panel. When approaching a steep slope ahead, I usually downshift twice in advance to maintain 2nd or 3rd gear for more stable climbing. For highway overtaking, I drop one gear to let the RPM reach around 4,000 for quicker acceleration. Be careful not to maintain low gear with high RPM for too long as it may damage the engine. My usual shift timing is between 2,000 to 3,000 RPM – push the '+' to upshift, which feels like using paddle shifters in racing games. When tired, you can always switch back to D mode anytime – a very user-friendly design.

[OAva]

When I first started driving, I didn't understand the purpose of the plus and minus signs next to the D gear. Later, I discovered it's actually for manual gear shifting. The operation is super simple: While the car is moving, just shift right from D gear to enter manual mode, and the dashboard will display the current gear. When going uphill, push towards the minus sign to downshift - higher RPM means more power. Using lower gears during long descents reduces brake usage. Remember to match gear shifts with speed - for example, stay in 3rd gear or above at 40 km/h to avoid damaging the transmission by shifting to 1st. For daily driving, D gear is usually sufficient; this feature mainly helps in special road conditions. I recall once during rainy slippery roads, I started in 2nd gear to prevent wheelspin - it really came in handy when needed.

[LaJace]

Actually, those '+' and '-' signs are for enabling manual shifting in an automatic transmission car. When in D (Drive) mode, gently push the gear lever sideways to enter M (Manual) mode. Push '+' to upshift and pull '-' to downshift. I mainly use this feature in two scenarios: first, when descending continuous mountain roads, I downshift to utilize engine braking and protect the brake system; second, when needing rapid acceleration to overtake, I manually downshift beforehand. A key point is to avoid exceeding the redline during shifts—around 2,500 RPM is generally optimal. The automatic transmission design is quite thoughtful—even in manual mode, if you forget to upshift at high RPMs, the transmission will automatically upshift to protect itself.

[JaydenLynn]

When repairing cars, I often hear owners ask how to use the gear shift function. The principle is similar to a manual transmission but much simpler. While driving, shift the gear lever from D (Drive) to the right to switch modes—pushing the lever forward increases the gear, while pulling it back decreases the gear. The most practical scenario is on long downhill slopes—downshifting to second or third gear uses engine braking to control speed, which is safer than relying on the brakes. In heavy rain, you can also use the minus (-) mode to lock in a lower gear to prevent wheel spin. The recommended shift timing is between 2000 to 3000 RPM, but avoid forcing into first gear at high speeds. This feature was designed to give drivers control in special road conditions. For normal driving, you don’t need to touch it—just leave it in D (Drive) mode for smooth operation.