What are the tips for using the M gear?
2 Answers
Tips for using the M gear: 1. Engage the M gear for overtaking, utilizing downshifting to increase torque for quick overtaking; 2. Engage the M gear when climbing hills, limiting the gear to 1st or 2nd; 3. Engage the M gear in a low gear when descending long slopes, using engine braking to reduce speed; 4. When driving at high speed, use the M gear to decelerate. The M gear is the manual mode of an automatic transmission. In this gear, shifting can be done like in a manual transmission car—upshifting at high speeds and downshifting at low speeds. While driving, you can directly shift into the M gear. When shifting, simply move the gear lever, use the paddle shifters on the steering wheel, or press the shift buttons.
When I first started driving in manual mode, I was always hesitant. Later, I found that starting in 2nd gear is the most stable, especially in rain or snow, as it helps avoid wheel spin. Before overtaking, downshift and rev-match, then pull the RPM up to 4000 before passing—this gives much faster power response. On steep climbs, don’t just floor the throttle; lock into 2nd or 3rd gear for consistent power delivery. On long descents, proactively downshift to a lower gear and rely on engine braking to protect the brake pads—this is especially important on mountain roads. In city traffic, I usually stay in 3rd gear to avoid the jerkiness of frequent automatic shifts. Remember not to shift beyond the 5000 RPM redline, as over-revving strains the engine—a point often emphasized by experienced mechanics.
