What does the plus and minus sign on an automatic transmission mean?

[GenesisLee]

Automatic transmissions with plus and minus signs are manual-automatic transmissions, and the position of the plus and minus signs indicates the manual mode. Here are the specific details: 1. Specific operations for shifting gears with the plus and minus signs: Regardless of the current gear, pushing the gear lever in the direction of the plus sign will shift up one gear. After pushing once, the gear lever will automatically return to its original position, allowing repeated upward pushes to shift up one gear at a time. Pulling the gear lever in the direction of the minus sign will shift down one gear, and continuous pulling will result in continuous downshifting. 2. Automatic transmissions with plus and minus signs indicate that the automatic transmission is a manual-automatic transmission with manual functions: While driving, the gear lever can be shifted from the D position to the side with the plus and minus signs, simulating a manual transmission, and the transmission will not automatically upshift. 3. How to use the plus and minus signs in D position: With the gear lever in the D position, moving it to the right will engage the manual mode. Pushing the lever upward will shift the transmission up one gear, while pushing it downward will shift it down one gear. Note that upshifting has speed and engine RPM requirements, while downshifting does not have such requirements.

[AllisonDella]

Those plus and minus signs are quite common on automatic transmission cars. After driving for so many years, I've found that they represent the manual mode function. After switching to the manual-automatic integrated state, pushing the plus sign means upshifting, and downshifting is done by pushing the minus sign. It's similar to a manual car's gearshift but more convenient. I like using the minus sign to maintain a lower gear when going down steep slopes, letting the engine assist with braking to prevent brake pads from overheating. Or when overtaking, quickly downshifting to accelerate gives much faster response. It can also be used in daily city driving to avoid jerky gear changes caused by the transmission randomly shifting. Just remember not to operate at low speed with high RPM for extended periods to prevent engine wear, and switch back to automatic mode promptly after operation for peace of mind. Here's a little tip: when driving long distances in mountainous areas, manually controlling the gears can enhance a sense of safety and stability.

[JoannaFitz]

Hey, as a young commuter who often drives an automatic transmission car, I find those plus and minus signs super practical! After switching to manual mode, pushing the plus shifts up, and pushing the minus shifts down—simple operation. When stuck in traffic or hesitating before a traffic light, using it to maintain a fixed gear prevents jerking, making the ride feel smoother than pure automatic. Every week when I drive back to my hometown, I encounter some mountain roads. As soon as I start climbing, I push the minus, and the engine power instantly boosts, preventing stalling. On the highway, pushing the plus saves a bit of fuel. It's easy to get the hang of; my friend taught me once, and now driving has become much more fun. Just a reminder: don’t forget to switch back to automatic mode, or it might strain the transmission. Overall, it’s quite convenient for daily use.

[LoganLynn]

As a car enthusiast, I've delved deeply into transmission design. Those plus and minus signs represent the manual control interface of the Tiptronic mode. When pushed, computer assistance enables upshifting and downshifting, differing from pure mechanical manual but retaining flexibility. The benefits are numerous: downshifting on steep slopes maintains high torque to prevent rollback, while using engine braking downhill enhances safety; it can also reduce automatic shifting frequency to lower component wear and improve fuel efficiency to some extent. During my travels, I often manually adjust speed on undulating highway sections for more stable driving. Just remember to operate smoothly without excessive force to avoid system damage.

[Almeida]

From a safe driving perspective, the plus and minus signs are key to manually controlling an automatic transmission. Pushing the plus sign upshifts and pushing the minus sign downshifts, which can optimize emergency responses. For example, on slippery roads where deceleration is needed, quickly downshifting to use engine braking helps stabilize speed and prevent skidding. Or in rain or fog, it avoids erratic gear shifts to ensure stability. I once encountered a sudden braking situation where timely downshifting assisted in avoiding an accident. It is recommended that drivers learn this to enhance safety awareness and avoid prolonged high RPMs that could harm the vehicle.