What do the plus and minus signs on the D gear of an automatic transmission car mean?
2 Answers
Automatic transmission car's plus and minus signs on the D gear indicate manual mode, which is only available in manual-automatic transmission cars. The plus and minus signs are located on the left side of the D gear; move the gear lever to the left. If they are on the right side of the D gear, move the gear lever to the right. When the car is in D gear, simply move the gear lever to the right to enter manual mode without any time or RPM restrictions. The transmission will automatically match the appropriate gear based on the real-time speed. An automatic transmission means the driver does not need to manually shift gears; the vehicle will automatically select the appropriate gear based on the driving speed and traffic conditions. There are six gear positions on an automatic transmission car, from top to bottom: P, R, N, D, S, L.
Having driven for over a decade, I'm quite familiar with those plus and minus signs next to the D gear in automatic transmissions. This is actually a manual shift mode design that allows you to actively control gears even in an automatic car. Pressing the '+' sign upshifts, meaning you're telling the car to shift to a higher gear earlier—like when cruising on highways to reduce RPM and save fuel. Pressing the '—' sign downshifts, increasing engine RPM and power, useful when climbing steep hills or needing quick acceleration for overtaking. I often use this feature on mountain roads or rainy days to maintain vehicle stability and prevent slipping on slopes or muddy surfaces. Of course, moderation is key—avoid frequent shifting to prevent transmission overheating and wear. Beginners should check the manual for operational details and practice a few times using navigation or by pulling over. Overall, these plus/minus signs add flexibility to driving, but they're not essential—the main appeal of automatics remains their convenience.
