What do the S gear and L gear mean respectively?
2 Answers
S gear and L gear respectively mean: S gear is the sport mode; L gear is the low-speed gear. The gears of an automatic transmission include: 1. P (Parking gear), the starting gear; 2. R (Reverse gear); 3. N (Neutral gear); 4. D (Drive gear); 5. OD (Overdrive gear). The correct way to use an automatic transmission is: 1. Never shift into P gear while driving; 2. After driving, you must turn off the engine and shift into P gear before you can remove the key; 3. When switching between N, D, and 3rd gear, you do not need to press the shift button. However, shifting from 3rd gear down to lower restricted gears requires pressing the shift button, while shifting from lower gears to higher gears does not require pressing the shift button; 4. Do not shift into N gear to coast while driving; 5. The vehicle can only be started in P or N gear. To remove the gear lever from P gear, you must press the brake. Turn on the power, press the brake, and shift to N gear. After ignition, shift into D gear to drive forward directly.
Well, I've been driving for years and am very familiar with these gears. The S gear actually stands for Sport mode. When you need to accelerate for overtaking, switching to it will make the car delay gear shifting to maintain high engine RPM, providing stronger acceleration. It's particularly useful for quickly passing large trucks on highways, for example. The L gear stands for Low gear, which is suitable for steep uphill or downhill driving. Switching to it enhances engine braking, helping to slow down without frequent brake application, significantly improving driving safety especially on mountain roads or slippery surfaces. Of course, for normal driving, the D gear is sufficient, and don't use the S gear unnecessarily as it will increase fuel consumption. I remember during a long-distance trip in the Huangshan area, I used the L gear for continuous steep downhill driving, which kept the speed stable and prevented brake overheating. Overall, understanding the meanings of S and L gears can make driving more flexible and efficient.
