What does the W stand for in automatic transmission?

[SanMary]

In automatic transmission vehicles, the W button on the gear shift refers to the Winter (Snow) driving mode, which reduces wheel slippage on smooth or snowy road surfaces. Below is additional information about other automatic transmission modes: 1. S gear: Stands for SPORTS. In vehicles, this indicates the Sport mode. When using this gear, the transmission delays upshifting, allowing higher RPMs before shifting to fully utilize engine torque for faster acceleration. 2. W gear: This is the Winter (Snow) driving mode button, functioning opposite to the "S" button. When activated, this mode suppresses engine torque output, preventing it from reaching peak torque too quickly, thereby reducing the likelihood of wheel spin on snowy roads. In fact, engaging the "W" mode can ensure smooth starts on any slippery surface by preventing rear-end skidding. The W mode is specifically designed for starting on slippery surfaces, typically limiting torque to second gear levels (which provides less starting force than first gear) to prevent wheel spin.