What does the + and - next to the D gear mean?

[DeAutumn]

D gear next to the + and - is the manual mode in the automatic transmission. The so-called manual mode is to add an electronic control device in the automatic transmission, so that the transmission will follow the operator's instructions to shift up and down. When the gear lever is in the D gear state, moving it to the right, the transmission enters the manual mode. At this time, pushing up will shift the transmission up one gear, and pushing down will shift the transmission down one gear. Relevant information about the transmission is as follows: 1. Introduction: A device that changes the speed ratio and direction of movement. It is used to change the torque, speed and direction of movement transmitted from the driving shaft to the driven shaft under different working conditions. The gear transmission is generally composed of a box shell and several pairs of gears. 2. Function: During driving, in order to adapt to different working conditions, the driving force and speed of the car need to change within a certain range, but the existing engine's torque and speed change range cannot meet this requirement, so the transmission is set.

[Johnson]

I also wondered about those +- signs when I first started driving, but later realized it's the manual mode of a semi-automatic transmission. When in D gear, shifting to the right enters manual mode - push forward (+) to upshift and pull back (-) to downshift. It's especially useful on mountain roads: for example, dropping to 2nd gear during continuous downhill driving allows engine braking without heavy brake use. Manual downshifting during overtaking gives an instant RPM surge and thrilling acceleration. The dashboard displays the current gear number, and it automatically upshifts if RPM gets too high for protection. Just avoid prolonged low-speed high-RPM driving to prevent engine damage. It might feel unfamiliar at first, but you'll find it indispensable after a few tries!

[DelLily]

Cars with paddle shifters behind the steering wheel should understand this principle. In fact, the +/- on the gear lever is designed for cars without paddles. Normally, driving in D (Drive) mode is fine for automatic operation, but when you want to enjoy more control, switch to manual mode—downshifting for acceleration is half a beat faster than in automatic mode. Once, when driving a friend's car up a steep slope, it just revved loudly in D mode without moving, but switching to manual and locking in 1st gear got us up steadily. When going through an automatic car wash, shift to N (Neutral)—newbies often ask if they should shift to P (Park), but it's unnecessary. Remember: don’t use manual mode in traffic jams, as constant gear changes are tiring; start in 2nd gear on rainy or snowy days to avoid wheel spin; and change the transmission fluid every two years—don’t wait until gear shifts become rough.

[RyleeLee]

Simply put, it's like adding a manual mode to an automatic transmission. Pushing + is equivalent to upshifting in a manual, while pulling - is downshifting. When cruising on the highway and wanting to overtake, deep pressing the throttle for downshifting is slow; directly manual downshifting brings up the RPM for a quicker overtake. Last time I went skiing, this feature saved a lot on brake pads: descending the mountain in M mode locked in 3rd gear, letting the engine drag the car down. Switching to manual mode in an automatic doesn't require lifting off the throttle or pressing the brake. Be careful not to downshift too aggressively to avoid suddenly revving too high and damaging the car. If the manual function isn't used for a long time, occasionally switch to it to keep the mechanism from getting stiff.

[VanJudah]

Veteran drivers swear by this feature's practicality! While driving in D mode, you can suddenly intervene manually by pushing the gear lever to the right—push forward to upshift and pull back to downshift. As someone who frequently delivers goods on highways, I find manual mode great for controlling RPMs and saving fuel: manually downshift before climbing a slope in cruise control, which is faster and more fuel-efficient than automatic mode. In heavy rain, start in 2nd gear to prevent wheelspin, and lock in 1st gear for snowy hill climbs—it's more effective than ESP. Four key points to note: no need to lift off the throttle during shifts; if the gear display on the dashboard doesn’t show a number, the shift failed; avoid holding the brake in D mode at traffic lights for too long; and when changing transmission fluid at 60,000 km, have the mechanic inspect the shift mechanism.

[LeOlive]

It's normal for beginners to be confused. I used to think it was sport mode. Actually, pushing the gear lever to the right from D mode activates the manual function, where pushing forward or pulling back controls the gear. It's especially useful for special road conditions: for example, using manual mode to control speed when going downhill on mountain roads, reducing the risk of brake overheating. Once, I got my automatic car stuck in snow, the wheels spun in D mode, but switching to manual 2nd gear helped me rock out slowly. Remember three points: sudden downshifting at high gears can cause jerking; try to control speed manually on long underground garage slopes; the car will forcibly upshift to protect the engine if revs exceed 5000 rpm.