What Are the Gears in an Automatic Transmission Car?
2 Answers
Automatic transmission cars have the following gears: 1. P (Park) - This is the parking gear. If the car is stopped and the engine is turned off, it must be shifted into P gear. 2. R (Reverse) - This is the reverse gear, used for backing up, parallel parking, or reversing into a garage. 3. N (Neutral) - This is the neutral gear, used when waiting at a traffic light for an extended period. However, the brake must be pressed because the car can roll on a slope if left in neutral. 4. D (Drive) - This is the driving gear. To move the car, it must first be shifted into D gear. 5. S (Sport) - Also known as the hill-climbing gear, S gear is used when driving on steep slopes. An automatic transmission eliminates the need for the driver to manually shift gears, as the vehicle automatically selects the appropriate gear based on driving speed and traffic conditions.
Having driven automatic transmission cars for so many years, the gears are actually not hard to remember. P stands for Park, which must be engaged before turning off the engine to prevent the car from rolling; R is Reverse, used when backing up, especially handy with the rearview camera; N is Neutral, occasionally used for towing or waiting at red lights; D is Drive, the go-to gear for automatic shifting during normal driving. Some cars also come with L for Low gear to control speed on steep descents, or S for Sport mode for faster acceleration. On long drives, I usually stick to D for smooth and fuel-efficient performance. The key things to remember: always press the brake when shifting gears, and never engage P while the car is moving to avoid damaging the transmission. Safe driving is the top priority—don’t rush for speed.
