How to Use the Gear Shift in the Prado?
2 Answers
The instructions for using the gear shift in the Prado are as follows: Parking Gear (P): The gear lever is located in the middle of the cabin, with the top position being the P gear, which is the parking gear. Reverse Gear (R): The R gear is for reverse; engage this gear when reversing. Neutral Gear (N): Engaging the N gear puts the vehicle in neutral, which can be used for short stops. Automatic Drive Gear (D): The D gear is for automatic forward driving; pay attention to controlling the vehicle speed appropriately. Low Gear (L) or First Gear: The L gear is also a low forward gear. When going downhill or descending a long slope, engaging this gear limits the vehicle to the lowest gear (equivalent to first gear in a manual transmission car), allowing the engine to assist in braking. This prevents the need for prolonged brake use, which can overheat the brake pads and pose a danger.
After driving the Land Cruiser for so many years, I've got the hang of gear operations. When starting, you must first press the brake pedal firmly, shift from P to D, and the vehicle will automatically shift gears to move forward. For regular city driving, I usually leave it in D mode without changing, which is very convenient. When encountering slopes or complex terrain, I prefer switching to manual mode and using paddle shifters to control gear shifts myself, reducing the risk of rolling. Reversing is simple—just shift to R and gently press the accelerator. An important point is never to shift to P or R while driving, as it can easily damage the transmission. Low gears are especially useful for off-roading, increasing torque and providing stability on muddy terrain. Regular maintenance of the shifting system and checking fluid conditions will extend its service life.
