What does M+ mean in an automatic transmission car?
4 Answers
That refers to a manual/automatic transmission. When shifted horizontally from D to the manual side, M+ is for upshifting and M- is for downshifting (the automatic transmission sets several gear ratios to simulate manual shifting). Below is relevant information about other gear positions: Common automatic transmission vehicles have P, R, N, D, 3, 2, and 1 gear positions: 1. P (Parking gear): When parking the car, the gear lever must be shifted to P position. 2. N (Neutral gear): N position is equivalent to neutral gear, which can be used when starting or towing the vehicle. 3. D (Drive gear): During normal driving, place the gear lever in D position, and the car will automatically shift between 1-3 or 4,5 gears. D is the most commonly used gear. 4. S (Sport mode): In this gear position, the transmission can shift freely, but the shifting timing is delayed to keep the engine at high RPM for a longer time, thereby increasing the vehicle's power.
I often use the M gear when driving an automatic transmission car, which is the plus and minus signs next to the gear lever. This M gear actually stands for manual mode, where the plus sign represents upshifting and the minus sign represents downshifting. I particularly like to shift into M gear when encountering a long downhill slope, manually dropping one or two gears. At this time, the engine braking effect is excellent, and I don’t need to keep pressing the brake pedal, making it both convenient and safe. If I want to overtake, I can downshift in advance, and the car’s power comes faster. Some cars have an M mark on the gear lever, while others require shifting left or right from the D gear to switch to this mode.
For those who frequently drive long distances, the manual mode in automatic transmissions is a godsend. There are usually two paddle shifters behind the steering wheel, one marked with a plus sign and the other with a minus sign, which together form the manual mode. When needed, a gentle flick can shift gears up or down, with the computer automatically matching the RPM, and no clutch pedal is required. Climbing steep slopes is particularly powerful when in a lower gear, and there's no worry about brake overheating when descending. If some cars lack power when starting uphill, using this mode to drop a gear makes it easy to climb, much smarter than the regular D mode.
I explained this feature to my wife when teaching her to drive. The 'M' mark on an automatic transmission car actually stands for manual mode, where the plus and minus buttons function like a manual gearshift. It allows the driver to manually control gear shifts, but it's much simpler than a manual transmission—no clutch pedal to press and no risk of stalling. For example, starting in second gear using manual mode on icy winter roads provides better stability. However, for normal driving, it's best to stick with 'D' (Drive) mode, as the transmission shifts most smoothly and fuel-efficiently on its own. This feature is primarily for special road conditions or emergencies.
