What does the M gear with plus and minus mean?
3 Answers
M gear with plus and minus refers to the manual mode of an automatic transmission, where plus means upshifting and minus means downshifting. The usage of M gear includes: 1. During overtaking, it can utilize the high torque of lower gears to accelerate quickly, completing the overtaking action faster; 2. When going downhill, it can fully utilize engine braking to reduce speed; 3. During high-speed driving, it allows for quick acceleration and can use engine braking during emergency braking; 4. When taking curves, it can use engine braking to decelerate. The functions of a transmission are: 1. To change the gear ratio to meet the traction needs under different driving conditions; 2. To enable reverse driving; 3. To interrupt power transmission to the drive wheels when the engine starts, idles, the car shifts gears, or needs to stop for power output.
When I first got my driver's license last year, I bought a car with an automatic transmission and noticed an 'M' marking on the gear shift. Later, I learned that it stands for manual mode. The plus and minus signs are used for manual shifting: pressing the '+' button upshifts to make acceleration smoother, while the '-' button downshifts to increase power for overtaking or climbing hills. I often use it in city traffic jams because automatic transmissions sometimes shift unpredictably, and manual control actually feels less tiring. The car's dashboard displays the current gear, making it easy to monitor. A word of caution: avoid prolonged high revs in low gears, as it can damage the engine. Beginners should practice a few times in open areas to get a feel for safe driving. Overall, the M mode's +/- feature adds a sense of control to automatic cars, making it especially suitable for new drivers transitioning to manual driving.
In daily driving, I find the M mode's manual shifting particularly practical, especially on ever-changing urban roads. The operation is simple: shift from D to M mode, then press the + or - buttons to manually shift up or down. For instance, during overtaking, pressing - to downshift increases RPM and boosts power; on long descents, maintaining a lower gear utilizes engine braking to reduce wear. Compared to a pure manual transmission, it eliminates the clutch pedal, making it much easier while retaining some control fun. During my regular commute, avoiding peak hours, manual mode helps save fuel and ensures stability. Remember not to accidentally shift to a lower gear at high speeds—the computer will protect, but it's good to develop the habit of monitoring. This feature is quite thoughtful, adding flexibility to driving.
