What Do the Letters on an Automatic Car's Gear Shift Represent?
1 Answers
Common letters include P, R, N, D, M, L, and S, which stand for Park, Reverse, Neutral, Drive, Manual mode, Low gear, and Sport mode, respectively. Below is a detailed explanation of automatic transmission cars: Definition: Generally, cars equipped with an automatic transmission (AT) adjust speed automatically. While driving, the automatic transmission's control system selects the appropriate gear based on the engine's speed and load, replacing the driver's subjective judgment of timing and gear-shifting operations. Here are additional details: The R gear is used when reversing, also known as the Reverse gear. It's important to note that the car must come to a complete stop before shifting into R. The P gear is used when parking, meaning the engine stops working, hence it's called the Parking gear. The D gear is primarily used for driving the car forward, known as the Drive gear, and is the basic gear for automatic transmission cars. The N gear is the same as the Neutral gear in manual transmissions, with no difference in principle. When approaching a red light, the N gear can be used. The L gear is a low gear, used when climbing hills or overtaking. The S gear represents Sport mode, allowing free switching among all gears.