Is R the Reverse Gear?
2 Answers
The R gear on a car stands for the reverse gear, which is the abbreviation of the English word 'Reverse'. This function is indispensable in a car, as it allows the vehicle to move in the opposite direction and achieve reversing. In manual transmission models, it also has a hill-hold function. When parking on a downhill slope, the drive shaft can be mechanically locked by engaging the reverse gear, but this should not be overly relied upon. The primary braking of the vehicle is done through the braking system, as using the reverse gear for braking can be dangerous. Methods for using the R gear: 1. For models equipped with an automatic transmission: First, press the brake pedal and then press the safety button on the gear lever or push down the gear selector to engage or disengage the R gear. The R gear can be engaged when the transmission is in P or N, but switching between D and R requires passing through N. That is, the D gear must be shifted to N before shifting to R, which helps reduce the impact of reverse oil flow in the transmission during gear changes. 2. For models equipped with a manual transmission: First, bring the vehicle to a complete stop, then press the clutch and brake, shift into the R gear, and finally perform a semi-clutch operation with slight acceleration.
I've been driving for almost thirty years, having experienced everything from old manual transmissions to today's fully automatic SUVs. The R indeed stands for Reverse, and that has never changed. I remember when I was learning to drive in my youth, the old instructor always nagged about having to come to a complete stop by pressing the brake before shifting into reverse, otherwise it would make a grinding noise or even damage the transmission. Nowadays, cars are more advanced—for example, as soon as I shift into R in my car, the rearview camera pops up with a clear image. Still, I’ve kept the habit of first glancing at the mirrors to make sure there’s no one or nothing behind me. This habit has kept me accident-free all these years. When reversing, it’s crucial to take it slow and steady. New drivers often rush backward in a hurry, only to end up scraping against flower beds or poles. Practicing reversing in empty parking lots and combining that with these new technologies makes driving much easier.
