What does the M1 gear in Audi mean?
2 Answers
M indicates that the transmission is currently in manual mode, and 1 indicates that the transmission is in 1st gear. Many automatic transmission cars have an M gear, which is actually the manual mode of the automatic transmission. After shifting into M gear, the driver can control the automatic transmission to upshift or downshift. Some cars equipped with a manual-automatic transmission require the use of the gear lever to control the transmission's upshifting or downshifting after shifting into M gear. Usage scenarios of M gear: 1. Overtaking: By switching to manual M gear and downshifting to 1st gear, quick overtaking can be achieved, which is much faster than pressing the accelerator deeply in D gear. 2. Uphill driving: Some steep slopes may not lock in 1st gear when driving in D gear. Using M gear allows the vehicle to lock in 1st or 2nd gear, making uphill driving much easier. 3. Rainy or snowy slippery roads: In D gear mode, the vehicle defaults to starting in 1st gear, which can easily cause wheel spin on slippery roads. Using M gear to shift to 2nd gear reduces torque, effectively decreasing the likelihood of wheel spin.
When driving my Audi, I feel that the M1 gear is essentially the first gear in manual mode, effectively locking the transmission in the slowest yet most powerful position. I remember one time during a self-drive trip in the mountains, encountering a steep climb, I simply switched to manual mode and shifted to M1. The engine revs increased, delivering ample torque, and the car climbed steadily without any rollback—unlike the hesitation often experienced with automatic shifting. It's also useful in urban traffic jams, like slow maneuvering in parking lots or starting on icy roads. M1 maintains low-speed control, reducing the risk of slipping. However, never use it at high speeds, as soaring RPMs can damage the car. It's safest to use only below 20 km/h. Audi's system is cleverly designed, and the owner's manual recommends experimenting with different scenarios to master it, which can significantly enhance the driving experience.
