How to Use the Gears of an Automatic Transmission Car?

[CoraAnn]

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.

[VonIris]

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.

[DiNathan]

The design of automatic transmission gears is quite user-friendly. The P (Park) gear is specifically for turning off the engine, the R (Reverse) gear is for backing up, and the N (Neutral) gear allows you to relax your feet during short stops like at red lights. For daily driving, the D (Drive) gear handles everything, but remember not to constantly brake when going downhill—switching to a lower gear like L (Low) or manual mode to downshift can reduce brake pad wear. I usually shift to N gear if waiting at a red light for more than 30 seconds to avoid overheating the transmission. Always remember to press the brake before shifting, especially when switching between R and P gears. Don’t randomly shift an automatic transmission either—engaging P gear while moving is extremely dangerous.

[LondonLee]

As someone who frequently drives long distances, I've found that using the gears appropriately in an automatic transmission makes the car much easier to handle. For highway cruising, D (Drive) gear is the most convenient. When overtaking on mountain roads, switch to S (Sport) mode or manually downshift to get higher RPMs and stronger burst power. Use lower gears in rainy conditions to prevent skidding. Remember to shift to N (Neutral) when towing to avoid damaging the transmission by putting stress on the tow hook. Important tip: Never force the gear lever from P (Park) when the engine isn't running, as it can jam the mechanism. For red lights lasting over 60 seconds, I shift to N and engage the handbrake, which saves fuel and protects the transmission better than keeping it in D while braking.

[MacDeclan]

The key to operating an automatic transmission lies in the coordination of the accelerator and brake. While D (Drive) mode is suitable for most situations, special road conditions require flexible gear usage: use 2nd gear for starting on snowy roads to reduce slipping, and shift to a lower gear for long descents to utilize engine braking. The correct procedure for temporary parking is to press the brake - shift to N (Neutral) - engage the handbrake - release the foot brake, and finally shift to P (Park) before turning off the engine. Never shift directly to P while pressing the brake, as this puts all the weight on the locking hook. Automatic transmissions also have limitations, such as requiring the vehicle to come to a complete stop before shifting to R (Reverse), otherwise the transmission gears may clash.