How to Use the Gear Shift Plus and Minus in the Envision?

[VonGabrielle]

When going uphill, you can shift to a lower gear below 3rd to maintain greater torque, making it easier to climb. For long descents, you can manually switch to 1st or 2nd gear. For quick overtaking, it's best not to simply press the accelerator hard in a high gear. Instead, downshift first—manually drop one gear—to utilize the high RPM and torque of a lower gear for faster acceleration and overtaking. On rainy or snowy slippery roads, friction is reduced. The automatic transmission defaults to starting in 1st gear, but since 1st gear has high torque, excessive throttle can cause wheel spin. Use manual mode to shift to 2nd gear.

[DiAndrew]

I've been driving for over a decade and am very familiar with the gear shifting of the Envision's automatic transmission. I rarely use it in the city, but it's quite convenient when encountering mountain roads or climbing hills: simply shift the gear lever from D to the left or right to enter manual mode. Pushing the lever forward upshifts to increase speed, while pulling it backward downshifts to reduce speed, just like a manual car but without the clutch. The advantage is that the engine doesn't lag when climbing hills, and it can also save some fuel; when descending, downshifting helps control speed and reduces brake wear. Be careful not to downshift recklessly at high speeds, as excessively high RPMs can damage the engine. Beginners are advised to practice a few times first, gradually getting the hang of it without rushing, to avoid compromising driving safety. Overall, this feature is smartly designed and occasionally using it enhances the driving experience.

[DeJonathan]

When I first bought the Enclave, I had no idea how to use the manual shift mode and had to ask the salesperson several times. The actual operation is quite simple: when parked or at low speeds, shift the gear lever from D to the manual mode position—usually a marked area to the side. Then push the button above the gear lever (the '+' sign) to upshift and accelerate, or pull the one below (the '-' sign) to downshift and decelerate. The key is that you don’t need to press the clutch—the automatic transmission handles it. For example, when overtaking on the highway, I manually downshift for quicker engine response. But a word of caution: don’t overuse it, especially as a beginner, since misoperation can cause engine roaring. Practice on open roads until you get familiar with when to use it. Talking with friends, I found many just leave it in D mode the whole time, missing out on this practical feature.

[LeHeidi]

When driving the Enclave daily to drop off the kids at school, I use the manual shift mode when encountering steep slopes. Just gently push the gear lever to the manual mode position—there's a letter or symbol on the gear shift indicating it. Pushing upward shifts to a higher gear, making the car accelerate; pulling downward shifts to a lower gear, effectively slowing down—very intuitive. This makes the car more stable during rainy, snowy days or when turning corners. I've also noticed that occasionally using manual mode can save a bit of fuel. It's advisable to remember to switch back to D (Drive) mode before parking, otherwise, minor issues might arise the next time you start the car. Simply put, it's an auxiliary tool to make driving more comfortable.