What is the M gear in Audi Q5?
2 Answers
Audi Q5 M gear is for selecting transmission gears. Display position of the engaged gear: The engaged transmission gear is displayed next to the gear selector. The engaged transmission gear additionally appears in the instrument cluster display. Engaging adjacent transmission gears: To engage an adjacent transmission gear, move the gear selector forward or backward to the first pressure point. The gear selector automatically returns to its starting position. Skipping one transmission gear: To skip one transmission gear, move the gear selector past the pressure point into the desired transmission gear position. The gear selector automatically returns to its starting position.
As a frequent driver of the Audi Q5, my experience is that the M mode stands for manual shifting mode. When you switch from the regular D gear to the M position while driving, you can manually upshift and downshift using the paddle shifters on the steering wheel or the gear lever, simulating the feel of a manual transmission. I often use it in congested urban areas to avoid the jerky automatic gear shifts, improving smoothness; or when descending steep slopes, I downshift to a lower gear to utilize engine braking, reducing wear on the brake pads. This is quite common in the Audi series, offering simple operation and enhancing driving control. However, I must remind everyone not to mess around with it at high speeds, as it can easily lead to engine overload. Remember, it’s not as aggressive as a true manual transmission—it’s more of an assistive feature. While it’s flexible for daily use, beginners may need some time to get used to it.
