How to Use the Gears of an Automatic Transmission Car?
2 Answers
Automatic transmission cars have gears such as R, P, D, N, L, and S. The specific usage methods are as follows: 1. R gear: Used when reversing, also known as the reverse gear. It's important to note that the car must come to a complete stop before engaging the R gear. 2. P gear: Used for parking, meaning the engine stops working. Therefore, many people refer to this gear as the parking gear. 3. D gear: Primarily used for driving the car forward, known as the drive gear, it is the basic gear for automatic transmission cars. 4. N gear: Similar to the neutral gear in manual transmissions, the principle is the same. It can be used when approaching a red light. 5. L gear: A low gear, used when going uphill or overtaking. 6. S gear: Represents sport mode, allowing free switching between all gears.
When I first learned to drive an automatic transmission car, I paid special attention to gear usage. Generally, I shift to P (Park) when parking, and press the brake pedal before starting the engine. Before switching to R (Reverse), the car must come to a complete stop to avoid damaging the transmission. For normal driving, I use D (Drive), and for steep slopes, I can switch to manual mode and downshift for more power. In city traffic jams, many people simply stay in D and press the brake, but shifting to N (Neutral) and engaging the handbrake is more fuel-efficient. Before parking, it's best to shift to N and engage the handbrake first, then wait for the car to stabilize before shifting to P to prevent the locking mechanism from getting stuck. The habit of pressing the brake before every gear shift is crucial.
