What does the '+' and '-' mean in the D gear of an automatic transmission?
1 Answers
Automatic transmission vehicles have D, '+', and '-' gears. The D gear is the driving gear of an automatic transmission, meaning the vehicle will automatically shift up or down in this gear without manual operation. The '+' and '-' represent the manual mode of the automatic transmission. In this mode, the driver needs to shift gears manually based on the vehicle's speed and RPM, as the transmission will not shift automatically. Below is an introduction to the common gears of an automatic transmission car: 1. P gear, or Parking gear, uses a mechanical device inside the transmission to lock the rotating parts of the car. It must only be used when the vehicle is completely stopped. Additionally, the gear must be in P when the car is turned off. 2. N gear, or Neutral gear, is generally used for short stops. In this gear, the right foot can leave the brake pedal to rest. However, on slopes, the brake must still be applied to prevent the car from rolling, unless the handbrake or electronic brake is engaged. 3. D gear, or Drive gear, is the forward driving gear. When in D gear, the driver only needs to control the accelerator pedal to adjust the speed. The transmission will automatically determine the appropriate gear based on the accelerator position and vehicle speed, eliminating the need for manual shifting. 4. R gear, or Reverse gear, is used for reversing. It's important to note that the R gear should not be engaged forcefully when the vehicle is not completely stopped, as this can cause wear to the transmission. 5. S gear, or Sport mode, provides greater power as the engine maintains high-speed operation. This gear is suitable for pursuing speed but will also increase fuel consumption.