What do the letters on an automatic transmission car mean?
2 Answers
Automatic transmission car letters refer to: 1. P gear is the parking gear, also known as the starting gear; 2. R gear is the reverse gear; 3. N gear is the neutral gear; 4. D gear is the drive gear, also known as the forward gear; 5. L gear is the low gear; 6. S gear is the sports mode; 7. M gear is the manual mode. Precautions for driving an automatic transmission car include: 1. Start slowly and gently, engage P gear or N gear when starting, and avoid coasting in neutral; 2. Shift back to N gear when waiting at traffic lights or briefly stopping, and engage P gear when parking; 3. Do not shift into P gear while the car is moving; 4. Ensure the vehicle is completely stopped before shifting into R gear for reversing.
At first, I didn't understand those letters on automatic transmission cars either, but after driving for a while, I realized there's actually a clear pattern. P stands for Park, which requires engaging the handbrake to use; R is Reverse gear, essential for backing into parking spaces; N is Neutral, most fuel-efficient when waiting at traffic lights; D is the most commonly used Drive mode, handling automatic gear shifts for daily driving. Don't be intimidated if you see S - that's Sport mode, delivering thrilling acceleration for overtaking; L is Low gear, protecting brake pads during hill climbs or long descents. Some cars even have M for Manual shifting, especially useful on mountain roads. Remember never to shift into P or R while moving - it'll destroy the transmission, and that repair bill makes headlight fixes look cheap.
