Should an Automatic Transmission Car Use S Gear or M Gear for Climbing Hills?

[SanKai]

For climbing hills with an automatic transmission car, it is recommended to use the M gear. Lower gears provide stronger engine power, and when facing a steep incline, shifting to M- will enhance the car's power, ensuring a successful climb. Scenarios where the M gear can be used in a car: During overtaking, when going up or down hills, when driving on highways, and when driving on icy or snowy roads. When overtaking, using the M- gear to lower the gear can provide higher torque, allowing the car to accelerate quickly in a short time. For uphill driving, M- should be used as lower gears offer stronger engine power. When descending, adjusting the gear to 2-3 using M+ can utilize the engine's braking effect to slow the vehicle, reducing reliance solely on the brakes and enhancing driving safety. Additionally, using the M gear on steep descents helps control speed through engine braking, preventing brake overheating and thermal fade. When driving on highways, manually shifting to higher gears using M+ and maintaining a speed of 80-100 km/h can improve fuel efficiency. On icy or snowy roads, adjusting the gear to 2 using M+ can reduce wheel slippage.