What does the forward gear in an automatic transmission car refer to?

[MacWeston]

Automatic transmission car's forward gear is the D gear. Automatic transmission gears: There are six positions for automatic transmission car gears: P gear is the parking gear and starting gear, preventing the car from rolling; R gear is the reverse gear for backing up; N gear is the neutral gear for temporary parking; D gear is the forward gear and drive gear, where the transmission automatically shifts between gears 1-5 based on speed and throttle conditions; S gear is the sport mode, allowing free gear shifting but increasing fuel consumption; L gear is the low gear, keeping the transmission in 1st gear without upshifting, providing some braking function when going downhill and can be used in situations like slopes. The advantage of automatic transmission over manual transmission is that it does not require shifting gears while driving, making it easier to operate. Additionally, automatic transmissions include continuously variable transmission (CVT), electronic paddle shifters, and electronic gear shift levers. How to use the forward gear: After getting into the car, first press the brake pedal and start the engine. Do not release the brake pedal at this time. Shift into D gear, then release the brake pedal, and the car will move forward.

[Sarah]

I often help friends with car repairs. The forward gear of an automatic transmission is the one marked with a D, which stands for Drive. When you shift it to this position, the car can move forward automatically, and the transmission intelligently shifts gears based on speed and throttle depth. Simply put, after starting the car, press the brake, move the gear lever to D, and then press the accelerator to move—no need to press the clutch or shift gears like in a manual transmission. I usually prefer using the D gear when driving; it’s hassle-free in city traffic jams and reliable whether going uphill or downhill—it automatically downshifts or maintains RPM to ensure safety. There are other gears like R for reverse and P for parking and locking the wheels, but D is the main one. Modern cars are designed so smartly that even fuel-saving modes can be optimized with the D gear.

[DelZachary]

Having driven automatic transmission cars for over two decades, the Drive (D) gear is very familiar to me—it's simply the setting where the gear lever is shifted to 'D'. My daily commute relies entirely on it: after ignition, shift to D gear and hit the road effortlessly, unlike the tiring manual transmission. Whether cruising on highways or inching through narrow alleys, the D gear automatically adjusts gear ratios for smooth starts, making me almost forget other gears exist. If a beginner asks me, I'd say it's the default forward-moving mode, easy to operate with brake and accelerator pedals; in case of rain or snow, staying in D gear without unnecessary shifts prevents skidding. After years of use, I truly believe the D gear embodies the essence of automatic transmission, with minor innovations like sport mode but the fundamentals remain unchanged.

[VonAngela]

I just got my driver's license and automatic transmission cars are my first choice. The instructor said the forward gear is the D gear, and the operation is super simple: start the engine, press the brake with your foot, push the gear lever to D, lightly press the accelerator, and the car moves forward without the hassle of manual gear shifting. Learning manual transmission before was extremely stressful, but now it's so much easier. When encountering traffic lights, just stay in D gear and press the brake. At first, I wondered why there was no clutch, but after getting used to it, I fell in love with this carefree driving style. For beginners like us, the D gear is the most friendly, reducing the chance of mistakes since everything adjusts automatically.