What do the S and L gears mean in Honda?
2 Answers
Honda's S gear stands for Sport mode, while the L gear represents Low gear. Generally, automatic transmission vehicles have six automatic gear positions: S, L, P, R, N, D. Here is an introduction to each gear: 1. S Gear: Sport mode. In S gear (Sport mode), the transmission can shift freely. It delays shifting by maintaining higher RPMs, thereby achieving greater torque and excellent acceleration performance. It is commonly used for climbing hills, highway driving, and quick acceleration. 2. L Gear: Low gear mode. When descending hills or long slopes, the L gear is engaged. This restricts the transmission to lower gears, allowing the engine to assist in braking the vehicle downhill. This reduces the need for prolonged brake pedal usage and prevents brake overheating, enhancing safety. The L gear is highly effective in heavy traffic congestion and on steep slopes. 3. P Gear: Parking gear. When parking the vehicle, the gear lever must be shifted to P. 4. R Gear: Reverse gear. The gear lever should be shifted to R when reversing the vehicle. 5. N Gear: Neutral gear. Used when parking temporarily without leaving the vehicle or during towing. 6. D Gear: Drive gear. Used for normal forward driving.
When driving my Honda, I learned that the S gear stands for Sport mode. It keeps the engine running at higher RPMs, delivering quicker and more explosive acceleration, similar to the feeling of delayed shifting in a manual transmission. I often use it for overtaking on highways or when I want to experience a bit of driving excitement—it even makes the steering feel more responsive. The L gear, on the other hand, is Low mode, which restricts the transmission to lower gears to provide greater torque, making it ideal for climbing steep hills or towing heavy loads. For example, once on a rainy mountain uphill, switching to L gear allowed the car to climb steadily without slipping. Be mindful not to overuse S mode as it increases fuel consumption, and reserve L mode for necessary situations to avoid unnecessary wear. Honda’s design truly enhances driving control, and I recommend new owners try the paddle shifters for convenient and practical gear changes.
