How to use the LINGDONG automatic transmission with manual mode?
2 Answers
The usage method of the LINGDONG automatic transmission with manual mode is: 1. Adjust the driving seat position; 2. The gear shift lever is located in the middle of the cockpit; 3. The 'D' marked on the gear represents automatic mode, while 'M' represents manual mode position; 4. Pushing the gear lever to the upper right corner at the '+' position upshifts the transmission, and pushing it to the lower right corner at the '-' position downshifts the transmission; 5. Engage the electronic parking brake when parking is required; 6. The AUTOHOLD button is the switch for the vehicle's automatic parking function. Taking the 2020 LINGDONG as an example, it is a compact car with body dimensions of: length 4610mm, width 1800mm, height 1450mm, wheelbase of 2700mm, and a curb weight of 1319kg.
Based on my experience driving the Hyundai Elantra with a manual-automatic transmission, most of the time during daily driving, I keep it in D (Drive) mode, where automatic shifting is incredibly effortless and hassle-free, completely eliminating the need to worry about gear changes. When manual control is needed, the operation is straightforward: simply move the gear lever from D to the manual position (usually marked with + and - symbols next to the M mode), then push the lever toward + to upshift and - to downshift. Some models also come with steering wheel-mounted paddle shifters—just press the + or - paddles to shift. In manual mode, you can lock in a lower gear when climbing mountain roads to maintain torque, ensuring stronger power output. When descending steep slopes, manually downshifting allows engine braking to reduce the burden on the brakes, minimizing the risk of overheating the brake pads. I’ve also found that manually holding second gear in stop-and-go traffic significantly reduces jerky starts. However, avoid frequent manual shifting to save fuel—on flat roads, automatic mode is more efficient. During every maintenance visit, I remind the technician to check the transmission fluid condition to ensure smooth long-term operation. Overall, this feature is flexible and practical, and beginners can master it with just a few tries.