What do the + and - signs next to the D gear in an automatic transmission mean?
4 Answers
Automatic transmission D gear next to the + and - refers to the upshift and downshift, D gear refers to the manual mode of the automatic manual transmission, which can be used to manually control the upshift and downshift of the transmission, when using the D gear does not need to step on the brake or release the throttle. The characteristics of using the D gear of the automatic transmission are: 1. You can get a larger traction force when overtaking; 2. You can get a larger power when going up a long slope; 3. You can use the engine brake to control the speed when going down a long slope to prevent the brake from overheating. The other gears of the automatic manual transmission are: 1. P refers to the parking gear; 2. R refers to the reverse gear; 3. N refers to the neutral gear; 4. S refers to the sport gear; 5. L refers to the low gear.
When I first bought my car, I was also curious about the '+' and '-' signs next to the D gear. Later, I learned that this is the manual mode switch. You can push the gear lever to the plus or minus sign to manually control gear shifting, similar to the fun of driving a manual transmission car. For example, on long downhill roads, switching to manual mode and downshifting to a lower gear can allow the engine to generate braking force to stabilize the speed and reduce the burden on the brakes. When overtaking on the highway, quickly pushing the minus sign to downshift can increase the RPM, making the car accelerate immediately with a strong push, which feels quite thrilling. However, don't overuse it, as it may consume more fuel or wear out the transmission. Beginners are advised to try it on low-speed sections, with safety as the top priority. With more practice, you'll find that this feature can enhance driving flexibility and enjoyment.
The + and - symbols next to the D gear are manual shift buttons that I use every day. When driving in the city and encountering traffic jams, I often switch to manual upshifting to keep the engine RPM more stable, saving fuel and reducing noise. On highways outside the city for overtaking, pushing the minus button to downshift makes the car feel like it's on steroids, making overtaking effortless. On weekends driving on rural mountain roads, manual mode is incredibly practical, allowing me to adjust gears according to road conditions at any time. Most modern cars come with this feature, which is simple to operate and gives a greater sense of control once you get the hang of it.
The '+' and '-' next to the D gear is a manual control function. When I use it, especially during family trips with kids, manually shifting gears ensures smoother starts and stops, preventing motion sickness for children. For example, when starting on a garage ramp, pushing the '-' to maintain a lower gear prevents the car from rolling backward, enhancing safety. On highways, gently upshifting ensures stable driving and reduces bumps. It's crucial to match the gear shifts with the appropriate speed and RPM to avoid unnecessary tire wear or fuel consumption.
