Should You Use First or Second Gear When Turning?
2 Answers
Use second gear when turning. Below is an introduction to the gears of an automatic transmission car: 1. Parking gear: P gear is the parking gear, used when the vehicle is parked for a long time; R gear is the reverse gear, engaged when the vehicle needs to move backward. 2. Neutral gear: N gear is the neutral gear, engaged when the vehicle is parked for a short time without turning off the engine; D gear is the drive gear, when the gear lever is placed in D gear, the vehicle will automatically shift gears based on throttle opening and speed data. 3. Sport mode: S gear is the sport mode, making the vehicle drive more sportily; M gear refers to the manual mode, when the gear lever is shifted into M gear, gear shifting is done manually by the driver; I gear is the low-speed gear.
I've driven through various road conditions and feel that whether to use first or second gear for turning really depends on the specific situation. Generally, when making turns on flat urban roads at speeds around 20 to 30 km/h, second gear is most comfortable, keeping the car running smoothly without shaking or jerking. However, for tight turns, steep slope turns, or low-speed turns in parking lots, first gear is much safer as it provides extra power to prevent stalling. Remember to complete gear shifting before turning—don't fiddle with gears mid-turn. Prioritize first gear when speed is below 15 km/h; use second gear when exceeding that. Gradient is also crucial: choose first gear for uphill turns to climb effortlessly, and second gear for downhill turns to control downward pressure. Safety first—having driven for decades, I've noticed that beginners often make the mistake of turning too fast, leading to loss of control. I recommend practicing more to get a feel for the car's feedback.
