What is the M gear?
2 Answers
M gear is the manual mode of an automatic transmission, which allows the driver to manually control the gear shifting (upshifting and downshifting) without the need to press the clutch pedal, and the engine will not stall. Using the M gear can help maintain strong power when climbing hills. The usage methods of M gear include: 1. During overtaking, it can utilize the high torque of lower gears to accelerate quickly and complete the overtaking maneuver more efficiently; 2. When descending a slope, it can fully utilize engine braking to reduce speed; 3. During high-speed driving, it enables faster acceleration and can be used for engine braking during emergency braking; 4. When navigating curves, it can employ engine braking to decelerate.
When I first started driving, I didn't understand the purpose of the M gear either. It wasn't until I drove on mountain roads that I finally figured it out. The M gear is actually the manual mode - you just shift sideways from D gear to engage it. In this mode, you can use paddle shifters or the gear lever to shift up/down without pressing the clutch. I particularly enjoy using this feature during long descents. For example, when driving on National Highway 318 last year, I kept it in 3rd gear to utilize engine braking, which saves brake pads and prevents overheating. Finally, automatic transmission drivers can experience the precise speed control joy of manual transmissions! If your car also has sport mode, combining it with M gear makes driving feel almost as exhilarating as racing.
