What do the letters on an automatic car transmission represent?
2 Answers
Automotive automatic transmission letters represent: 1. P stands for Parking gear, the selector lever must be shifted into P when the car is parked; 2. R stands for Reverse gear; 3. N stands for Neutral gear, used during startup, temporary parking when the driver remains in the car, or when towing; 4. D stands for Drive gear, place the selector lever in D when driving; 5. S gear represents Sport mode. The method for using an automatic car transmission is: 1. Press the brake and push the one-touch start button to start the engine; 2. Shift the gear into D, release the handbrake, and then release the brake. The working principle of an automatic transmission is to use planetary gear mechanisms for gear shifting, automatically changing gears based on the degree of throttle pedal pressure and changes in vehicle speed.
These letters on the automatic transmission represent different gear modes. As a veteran driver with over 20 years of experience, I remember being confused at first too. P stands for Park, which must be engaged after parking to prevent the car from rolling; R is Reverse, used when backing up; N is Neutral, suitable for brief stops like waiting at a red light; D is Drive, which you keep engaged while driving; L is Low gear, especially useful for climbing steep hills or navigating rough terrain, as it protects the engine from overheating. Some cars also have an S mode for Sport, which provides faster acceleration on highways but consumes more fuel, or an M mode for Manual, allowing the driver to shift gears using the plus and minus signs. New drivers should develop the habit of pressing the brake and shifting to P when parking—safety first, no carelessness. When shifting into reverse, take your time to avoid damaging the transmission, as repairs can be quite expensive.