What Gear Should an Automatic Transmission Car Use When Descending a Long Slope?
3 Answers
When descending a long slope with an automatic transmission car, the gear selection should be considered from the following aspects: 1. If there is an L gear: When descending a long slope with an automatic transmission car, use the L gear if available; if there is no L gear, use the manual mode. 2. If there is no manual mode: Use the S gear while pressing the brake pedal. 3. If neither L gear, S gear, nor manual mode is available: Use the D gear. This is because the lower the gear, the greater the engine's traction force. Maintaining the vehicle in a lower gear results in a slower speed increase compared to higher gears. Combined with the effect of the brake pedal, the braking performance is more significant and safer.
As a new driver, I felt quite nervous when going down a long slope. I remember the first time I drove an automatic transmission car downhill, foolishly using D gear, and the car sped up rapidly. I had to brake so much that my foot got sore, and in the end, I smelled something burning. A friend reminded me that I should shift to L or S gear, so the engine could assist with braking, providing better deceleration. Engine braking, simply put, means the engine drags the car to slow it down, reducing the need for brakes to prevent overheating. Now I've developed the habit of manually switching to a lower gear before descending, sometimes using M mode to downshift, while also checking the condition of the tires and brake pads. Driving on mountainous highways requires extra caution. Engine braking also saves fuel, killing two birds with one stone—safety first, don’t be lazy.
Having driven automatic transmission cars for many years, I never use D gear on long descents, instead directly shifting to L gear or manual mode to downshift. The engine braking effect is significant, allowing stable speed control with almost no need to press the brakes. Once on a winding mountain road with a continuous descent of over ten kilometers, keeping the car in a low gear maintained a steady downhill speed, leaving the brakes consistently cool. Using D gear would allow the transmission system to accelerate the car, risking brake pad overheating and potential danger. Remember that different car models vary, so find the appropriate low gear and switch in advance—don't wait until problems arise. Experience tells me that regular vehicle maintenance can also prevent such incidents, especially for those who frequently drive long distances.
