Is D the Forward Gear or the Reverse Gear?

[SanCarter]

The D gear is the forward gear, with its full English name being Drive, meaning "to drive." When this gear is engaged, stepping on the accelerator allows the vehicle to move. In this gear, the transmission will automatically shift based on speed and throttle conditions. At traffic lights, the car can remain in D gear with the brake pedal pressed. If the wait is short, this is fine, but prolonged waiting can raise the transmission oil temperature and degrade the oil. In addition to D, automatic transmission cars also have other letter gears such as P, R, N, S, M, and L, each representing different gear combinations that output varying power levels. When the car operates at different speeds, it needs to "shift gears," meaning selecting different gear combinations to deliver power. Below is a detailed explanation: R gear: Reverse means "to turn back." Whether in manual or automatic transmissions, R stands for the reverse gear. Engaging R gear makes the car move backward. This gear should only be engaged when the vehicle is stationary and the engine is idling. Never use R gear while the car is moving forward, and special attention should be paid to accelerator control when reversing. N gear: Neutral means "neutral," also known as the neutral gear. At traffic lights, this gear can be engaged while pressing the brake. If the wait is long, it is advisable to engage the handbrake, allowing the foot to rest off the brake pedal. A common misconception is that shifting to N gear while coasting downhill or at high speeds saves fuel. This is incorrect—not only does it not save fuel, but it can also damage the transmission. S gear: Sport means "sport" and refers to the sport mode in cars. When this gear is engaged, the transmission delays shifting to provide more power, typically used when overtaking. M gear: Manual means "manual control" and refers to switching to manual mode in cars, similar to operating a manual transmission, requiring manual upshifting and downshifting. L gear: Low means "low speed" and refers to the low-speed forward gear in cars. When this gear is engaged, the transmission operates only in low gear (equivalent to first gear in a manual transmission) and does not automatically shift based on speed changes. This gear is typically used when climbing or descending steep slopes. In low gear, the drive wheels deliver high torque, ensuring sufficient power for steep climbs. Prolonged braking can overheat the brake pads, reducing braking efficiency, which is dangerous on long descents or steep slopes. Engaging L gear uses the engine's low RPM to control the vehicle's movement, eliminating the need for constant braking.