What do the different gears in an automatic transmission represent?

[OWalter]

Automatic transmissions typically feature uppercase letters P, R, N, D, and L. Among these, P stands for Parking, which is the frequently used parking gear. R stands for Reverse, the gear used for backing up. N stands for Neutral, the neutral gear. When making brief stops, such as at a traffic light, you can shift into N gear. The meanings represented by the letters on an automatic transmission are as follows: 1. P Gear: The P gear is used when parking by moving the selector lever to the P position, which locks the transmission's parking brake mechanism onto the output shaft. Engage the handbrake, and the car will not move. 2. R Gear: The R gear is the reverse gear, used when backing up. Never shift into reverse before the car has come to a complete stop, as this can cause rapid wear to the transmission. 3. D (Drive) Gear: The D gear represents the forward driving gear, used during normal driving. Simply place the selector lever in the D position, and the car will automatically adjust the gears while driving. During long descents, since the D gear in an automatic transmission does not have engine braking functionality, you should not keep it in D gear continuously, as this can cause the car to accelerate, increasing safety risks. 4. L Gear: The L gear represents the low gear, equivalent to 2nd gear, often used when going up or down hills. 5. S Gear: The S gear stands for Sport mode, available in some car models. When the car is in S gear, you can shift freely, but there will be a slight delay in shifting, keeping the engine at higher RPMs for longer, which increases fuel consumption but also provides greater torque output, typically used when overtaking. 6. N Gear: N stands for Neutral, used when starting the car or towing it. If waiting at a traffic light for an extended period, it's best to shift into N gear and engage the handbrake. However, coasting in N gear (neutral) downhill is prohibited, as it not only fails to save fuel but can also damage the transmission. 7. M Gear in Manual-Automatic Models: M stands for Manual mode. When switched to M gear, you can shift according to your needs by pushing the '+' or '-' buttons or using paddle shifters to change gears.