What are the PRNDL gears in a car?
2 Answers
The P gear in a car is the parking gear, the R gear is the reverse gear, the N gear is the neutral gear, the D gear is the drive gear, and the L gear is the low gear. Depending on the driving condition, it is necessary to shift to the correct gear to enable the car to transition to the desired driving state. Detailed introduction to each gear in the car PRNDL: P is the parking gear, which uses a mechanical device to lock the rotating parts of the car, preventing it from moving. When parking, the gear lever must be shifted into the P position, thereby locking the output shaft through the internal parking brake mechanism of the transmission and tightening the hand brake to prevent the car from moving. R is the reverse gear, used when reversing. Usually, you need to press the safety button on the lever to move it to the R gear. It is important to note: when the vehicle has not completely stopped, you must not shift to the R gear, otherwise the transmission will be severely damaged. The N gear is the neutral gear, which can be used when starting, towing, or temporarily stopping. To prevent the car from rolling on a slope, always apply the brake when in neutral. D is the drive gear, also known as the forward gear. The transmission will automatically shift between gears 1 to 4 based on speed and throttle conditions. This gear is used for normal road driving. L is the low gear, used when going downhill or on long slopes. It restricts the car to the lowest gear, allowing the engine's power to assist in braking when descending.
Every time I teach beginners to drive, I emphasize the meaning of PRNDL. P stands for Park, which should be engaged when parking to lock the transmission and prevent the vehicle from rolling; R is Reverse, requiring careful observation of the rear before operating when backing up; N is Neutral, a state where the wheels are not driven, useful for brief waits like at red lights; D is Drive, the core gear for daily forward driving; L is Low, a low-speed gear used for climbing steep slopes or descending long hills to prevent rolling. Remember the order from left to right, and always press the brake to ensure safety when selecting gears—shift from P to D when starting, engage the handbrake before returning to P when parking, and use L gear more often for added power when driving in mountainous areas. These small habits can extend the lifespan of your car.
