Should I Use M+ or M- When Going Downhill?
2 Answers
Using the M+ gear when going downhill allows for full utilization of engine braking to reduce vehicle speed. In automatic transmission vehicles, there's no need to depress the clutch, and the engine won't stall. The M+ and M- are manual mode gears of an automatic transmission. After switching to manual mode, the driver can upshift or downshift using paddle shifters or the gear lever. However, unlike manual transmissions, there's no need to release the throttle when shifting gears; you can directly increase or decrease the gear. The following situations are suitable for using M gear: Overtaking: Using the "M-" gear to downshift provides higher torque, allowing the vehicle to accelerate quickly in a short time. Uphill: On uphill sections, "M-" should be used as lower gears deliver stronger engine power. Downhill: You can use "M+" to adjust the gear to 2-3, utilizing the engine's braking effect to slow the vehicle without relying entirely on the brakes, thereby enhancing driving safety. High-speed sections: On highways, drivers can manually use "M+" to shift to higher gears, maintaining speeds of 80-100km/h for better fuel efficiency. Snowy/icy roads: Adjusting to gear 2 using "M+" can reduce wheel slippage. Essentially, M gear puts vehicle control in the driver's hands, functioning merely as a mode. Some models don't have "M+" or "M-" but feature D1, D2, D3 gears which serve the same purpose.
When going downhill, you should use the manual mode to downshift (M-), which increases the engine RPM to generate more braking effect. Once, while driving long-distance in mountainous areas, I encountered a steep slope and almost lost braking power from overusing the brakes. Later, I learned to control speed by downshifting, making the car much more stable. This method utilizes the engine's natural resistance, reducing reliance on the brakes and avoiding overheating or even locking up the brake pads. Especially in automatic transmission cars with manual mode, simply pressing the minus (-) button achieves this easily. Remember, don’t take shortcuts by upshifting—otherwise, the car will accelerate downhill, drastically increasing danger. Before descending, assess whether the slope is long. Continuous braking can lead to fatigue, while engine braking is safer and more reliable.