What is the function of the button on the gear shift lever?
2 Answers
The button on the gear shift lever is a shift lock. Automatic transmission vehicles all have this button on the gear shift handle. Without pressing this button, you cannot freely change gears, which serves to prevent accidental gear shifting. Here is more information about the shift lock: 1. The buttons on the automatic transmission lever include a shift lock button and a sport mode button. Depending on the vehicle design, some models may not have a sport mode button on the gear lever. 2. After starting the engine, when moving the gear shift lever out of the P (Park) position, you need to press the foot brake pedal and the shift button. Similarly, when shifting from R (Reverse) to P (Park), you also need to press the shift button.
After driving for so many years, I always like to use that button on the gear shift whenever I encounter traffic jams or mountain climbs. It's actually the overdrive switch—pressing it allows the automatic transmission to shift to a lower gear, increasing engine RPM. This helps utilize engine braking to assist with deceleration on downhill slopes, preventing brake pads from overheating due to constant braking. I especially use it frequently on long downhill stretches—it's both safer and protects the vehicle. I remember my last trip to the mountains with rough road conditions; this button helped me maintain a steady speed—super practical. Without pressing it, the car would engage overdrive, saving fuel and ensuring smoothness, ideal for highway cruising. Overall, this button is a handy little helper for gear adjustment, enhancing driving comfort while also saving some fuel costs.
