What do the + and - signs on an automatic transmission car mean?
2 Answers
The + sign is for upshifting, and the - sign is for downshifting. Related introduction: 1. The meaning of an automatic transmission car: As the name suggests, the driver does not need to manually shift gears. The vehicle will automatically select the appropriate gear based on driving speed and traffic conditions. 2. Gear introduction: P stands for Parking gear, used when parking; R stands for Reverse gear; N stands for Neutral gear, which has the same meaning as in a manual transmission and is used for short stops; D stands for Drive gear, where the transmission will automatically switch between gears 1-5 based on speed and throttle conditions. 3. The difference between automatic and manual transmissions: The driving method is different. Automatic transmissions change gears based on the car's own RPM, while manual transmissions require manual shifting. The clutch pedal is different. Automatic transmission cars do not have a clutch pedal, while manual transmission cars require the driver to master the use of the clutch pedal.
When driving an automatic transmission car, I find those + and - signs quite useful. Simply put, they are control buttons for manual mode that allow you to shift gears yourself: pressing the + sign upshifts, increasing speed and lowering RPM; pressing the - sign downshifts, instantly boosting torque, which is ideal for climbing hills or overtaking. My habit is to press the - sign a few times when encountering steep slopes, preventing the car from losing power and avoiding the need to stomp on the accelerator to prevent wheel spin, making it much safer. Although automatic transmissions are inherently smart, manual intervention gives drivers more control. For example, tapping the + sign on the highway saves fuel, or downshifting in rainy weather helps maintain steady speed. I recommend beginners practice more to get familiar with it—it prevents jerky shifts from incorrect operations, boosts overall driving confidence, and offers more flexibility, especially in city traffic jams.
