What gear should a car be in when going downhill?
2 Answers
When a car is going downhill, the gear selection depends on different situations: 1. For manual transmission cars, shift into 2nd or 3rd gear; 2. For automatic transmission cars, shift into L gear. If there is no L gear, you can shift into M gear and then manually downshift when going downhill. The techniques for operating a car when going downhill are: 1. Reduce the speed to allow the vehicle to enter the downhill slope at a slow speed; 2. Shift into the appropriate gear, and it is strictly forbidden to shift gears after entering the downhill section; 3. Coasting in neutral is strictly prohibited, and the appropriate gear must be engaged. The effects of coasting in neutral downhill include: causing severe wear on internal engine parts and generating a large amount of heat, leading to carbonization of the engine oil and a significant decrease in lubrication.
I remember once driving down a steep mountain road without using a lower gear, relying solely on the brakes to slow down. The brake discs ended up smoking, and it nearly caused an accident. Since then, I always use 2nd or 3rd gear when driving a manual transmission car to control speed—this is called engine braking, where the engine naturally slows the wheels, reducing brake pressure significantly. For automatic transmission cars, I switch to manual mode and select lower gears like L or S. This is especially important on long descents or in rainy conditions, as continuous braking can lead to overheating and failure, compromising safety. When driving normally, it's good practice to slow down to a reasonable speed before descending, then shift gears to maintain stability and reduce the risk of accidents. The benefits are numerous: it protects the braking system and saves fuel. With practice, it becomes second nature.
