What does the M+- next to the D gear in an automatic car mean?

[Gene]

M+ means upshifting, while M- means downshifting. The M1/M2/M3 displayed on the dashboard represent manual mode's 1st/2nd/3rd gears respectively. The number of gears in M mode depends on the automatic transmission's gear count. For example, a 7-speed M mode will have 7 gears. More detailed explanations are as follows: 1. The M gear is the manual mode in automatic transmission vehicles. When shifted to M gear, you can manually control the transmission's upshifting or downshifting without pressing the clutch, and the engine won't stall, just like in automatic mode. 2. The M gear is particularly useful in situations such as overtaking, going up or down slopes, driving on slippery roads due to rain or snow, navigating curves, or high-speed driving. For instance, using M- to downshift during overtaking provides higher torque, allowing the vehicle to accelerate quickly. On snowy or icy roads, using M+ to shift to 2nd gear can reduce wheel slippage. 3. Automatic transmissions typically have 6 gears: the commonly used Park (P), Reverse (R), Neutral (N), Drive (D), as well as Low (L) and Sport (S) modes. It's important to select the correct gear while driving for optimal control.