What does the gear D+ D- mean in a car?

[VanJesse]

Automatic transmission D+ or D- means the ability to freely shift down. Here is some related information about automatic transmissions: 1. Classification: As the name suggests, an automatic transmission does not require the driver to manually shift gears. The vehicle automatically selects the appropriate gear based on driving speed and traffic conditions. Generally, automatic transmission cars have six gear positions, from top to bottom: P, R, N, D, S, L. 2. Operation: Driving an automatic transmission car mainly uses the parking gear P, reverse gear R, neutral gear N, and drive gear D, which can fully meet the needs of general driving. If encountering some special driving environments, other functional gears may be required. Therefore, if the correct control method is chosen, an automatic transmission car can perform better than a manual transmission.

[OVivienne]

Oh, I've driven quite a few automatic cars, and I think the D+/- is like a manual assist mode. Simply put, when you're driving in D gear, D+ means pushing up or pressing a button to upshift, like shifting to a higher gear when the speed is fast, saving fuel and hassle; D- is pushing down or pressing a button to downshift, like when climbing a hill or overtaking to get more power. I find this feature most useful on winding mountain roads: D- locks the gear to prevent the transmission from frequently shifting and reduces overheating issues. When overtaking on the highway, a quick D- downshift makes the engine rev up, and acceleration becomes swift, but don't overuse it to avoid engine wear. In city traffic jams, it's better to stick with D gear. Remember, this isn't a full manual mode but a semi-automatic assist—newcomers will get the hang of it after a few tries. The key is to use it flexibly according to road conditions to avoid damaging the car.

[IrisRose]

After years of driving, I often encounter this issue. The D+/- is a manual shifting function within an automatic transmission, designed to give drivers some control freedom. For instance, during long-distance drives, I prefer using D+ to upshift, keeping the car at an efficient speed for better fuel economy; D- is more suitable for steep climbs or quick acceleration sprints. The operation is achieved via the gear lever or steering wheel paddles, unlike the complexity of traditional manual transmissions. I remember once on a rough suburban road, using D- to lock in a lower gear improved traction, making the vehicle more stable. A reminder: frequent misuse can lead to transmission wear, so it's recommended to activate it only in specific scenarios like overtaking or climbing hills.

[MacBrody]

When I first started driving, I was also confused about what D+/- meant. It's actually the auxiliary manual mode in automatic transmission cars: D+ allows you to upshift while driving, making the car faster and more fuel-efficient; D- downshifts to increase torque, useful for quick acceleration from a standstill or steep slopes. I'm used to trying D+ on highways for better performance, while using D mode in daily driving to avoid hassle. The key is not to mess around with it and cause problems.