What does the L gear in Accord mean?
3 Answers
L gear refers to the low-speed gear in a car. Gear explanation: 1. P——Parking, parking gear, starting gear. When you park and don't use the car, the gear is in this position, at which time the wheels are mechanically locked to prevent rolling. 2. R——Reverse, reverse gear. Used when reversing. 3. N——Neutral, neutral gear. Used when temporarily stopping (such as at a red light). 4. D——Drive, forward gear, also known as driving gear. 5. L——Low, low-speed gear. 6. S——Sport, indicates sport mode. When this gear is engaged, the gear can be freely switched, but the shifting timing is delayed, keeping the engine at high speed for a period of time to increase the car's power. Obviously, using this gear will increase fuel consumption.
When driving my Accord on mountain roads, I pay special attention to the role of the L gear. The L gear in the Accord is the low gear, equivalent to the 1st or 2nd gear in a manual transmission. When encountering long downhill sections, shifting to L gear allows the use of engine braking to control speed, avoiding frequent brake use that could lead to overheated and failed brake pads. I rely on it for safety when navigating the winding mountain roads in Yunnan, Guizhou, and Sichuan. It's also useful for extremely steep underground garage ramps in the city to prevent rolling back. However, remember not to shift directly into L gear at high speeds, as the transmission will make loud noises, damaging the car and posing a danger. Proper use of the L gear not only enhances driving safety but also reduces brake wear. Next time you face a continuous downhill, give it a try—it feels very reassuring.
Friends driving automatic transmission cars should pay attention to the L gear, a hidden gem. It limits the highest gear, and engaging L gear in an Accord is equivalent to using only 1st-2nd gears. The brilliance of this design lies in: doubling engine torque effortlessly when climbing steep slopes, and having the engine assist with braking during long descents. Last month, I drove my Accord to Zhangjiajie and encountered a 7-kilometer continuous downhill. With L gear engaged, the tachometer revved up to 4000 RPM, but the speed was steadily controlled at 40 mph, with the brake pads barely heating up the entire time. However, remember never to engage L gear above 60 mph, as it can easily cause transmission shock. It's not necessary for daily city driving, but it's a must for mountain road trips.
