What does the D plus/minus mean in an automatic transmission?
3 Answers
Automatic transmission D plus/minus refers to the manual mode in an automatic transmission. The gears in an automatic transmission are as follows: 1. P is the parking gear and starting gear; 2. R is the reverse gear; 3. N is the neutral gear; 4. D is the drive gear, also known as the forward gear; 5. L is the low gear; 6. S is the sport mode; 7. OD is the overdrive gear. An automatic transmission means the driver does not need to shift gears manually; the vehicle will automatically select the appropriate gear based on driving speed and traffic conditions. The steps for parking an automatic transmission vehicle are: 1. Press the brake to stop the vehicle; 2. Shift the gear from D to N and engage the handbrake; 3. Press the footbrake and shift the gear from N to P; 4. Release the footbrake, turn off the power, and remove the key.
After driving automatic transmission cars for so many years, I'm quite familiar with those plus and minus signs next to the D gear. This function is actually a manual mode, allowing us to control the gears manually while still using the automatic transmission. When driving up a long slope, the automatic transmission might frequently shift gears, but if you pull it towards the minus sign, the gear drops down and the engine gains more power. It's also great for steep descents—the engine helps with braking, reducing the risk of overheating compared to relying solely on the brakes. When overtaking on the highway, dropping a gear in advance increases the RPM, making acceleration quicker. However, it takes a few days to get used to this feature, especially if you're not accustomed to watching the tachometer at first. Some newer cars even come with paddle shifters, making the operation even more convenient. Overall, it's a very practical design, especially for those who enjoy having more control over their driving experience.
As a young car owner, I didn't understand the purpose of the plus and minus signs next to the D gear when I first bought my car. Later, I discovered that this is the manual mode, and the operation is quite simple: just shift the gear lever to the side from the D position, and when the dashboard displays M or a number, you can manually shift gears. Push forward for the plus sign to upshift, and pull back for the minus sign to downshift. I love using this feature on mountain roads—downshifting before hairpin turns is particularly useful, as the power is immediately available when exiting the turn. During traffic jams or slow-moving situations, I also downshift to reduce the jerky feeling caused by frequent gear changes in the transmission. I recommend all new car owners try this feature. At first, there's no need to obsess over perfect shift timing; focus on feeling how the car responds in different gears. In fact, manual modes are becoming increasingly intelligent these days—even if you forget to shift, the transmission will automatically intervene to protect the engine.
