What is the difference between L gear and S gear?

2 Answers
Cameron
07/29/25 5:18am
L (LOW) gear is the low-speed gear, which provides high torque at low speed and limits the engine to lower RPM to obtain sufficient power. S (Sport) gear is the sport mode, which can be simply understood as a high-speed gear. It allows the car to run at high RPM in lower gears for an extended period, thereby achieving greater torque output and acceleration. Below are the relevant introductions: 1. Usage of L gear: (1) When going downhill, engaging L gear will limit the gear to a low gear (usually first gear), allowing full use of the transmission's engine braking to control the vehicle speed, reduce the burden on the brakes, minimize the risk of brake fade, and improve driving safety. For models without an L gear, manual mode can be used for downhill driving if available. (2) When climbing a steep slope, L gear can be selected to limit the vehicle to low gear operation, preventing frequent gear shifts. This makes the vehicle more powerful when climbing and also protects the transmission. 2. Usage of S gear: Due to its strong power, S gear is generally used when overtaking or climbing. After completing the action, it is recommended to switch back to the more economical D gear, as S gear mode consumes significantly more fuel than normal mode due to increased fuel injection at high RPM. It also tends to wear the transmission more, so it is not necessary for daily driving.
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RoseRose
08/12/25 8:54am
I've been driving for a while and have tried various transmission modes. The difference between L gear and S gear is quite noticeable. L gear is the low gear, specifically used when climbing steep slopes or going down long slopes. It increases the engine speed, making the car feel like it's being held back, preventing it from rolling downhill or overheating the brakes. Last time I went on a self-drive trip to the mountains, I relied on L gear to stabilize the car on steep mountain roads; otherwise, constant braking might have burned them out. On flat city roads, it's best not to use L gear—it wastes fuel and doesn't go fast, plus the engine roars uncomfortably. S gear is the sport mode, providing faster acceleration and more aggressive response, keeping the engine speed high. It's suitable for overtaking or enjoying a smoother ride on highways, though it consumes more fuel. I don't recommend using S gear in heavy traffic with an older car, as the jerky motion can make people dizzy. Neither gear should be used unnecessarily for long periods; switching according to road conditions is the safest approach.
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