What is the M1 gear in Haval automatic transmission?
2 Answers
Haval automatic transmission M1 refers to the manual mode's first gear, typically used during uphill/downhill driving, entering/exiting parking garages, traffic congestion, and car-following situations. Automatic transmission vehicles have six gear positions arranged from top to bottom: P, R, N, D, S, L. For regular driving, using just the P (Park), R (Reverse), N (Neutral), and D (Drive) gears is sufficient. L Gear: Low gear, which limits speed. When engaged during uphill driving, it maintains high RPM in low gear. S Gear: Sport mode, allowing the transmission to shift freely but with delayed shift timing, keeping the engine at high RPM for extended periods, enabling the vehicle to maintain low-gear high-RPM operation. D Gear: Drive gear, used for normal forward movement of the vehicle. N Gear: Neutral gear, used during brief stops. P Gear: Parking gear, which must be engaged when parking to activate the parking brake and prevent vehicle movement. R Gear: Reverse gear, used when backing up. Important: Only engage R gear after the vehicle has completely stopped. Shifting into R while the vehicle is still moving slowly can cause severe damage to the transmission.
Recently, while driving my Haval automatic transmission car, I became curious about the M1 gear. Through actual experience, I discovered it's the low gear in manual mode. When you shift the gear lever to the M position and select gears using the +/- buttons or paddles, M1 represents first gear. This design is for better vehicle control, such as providing high torque for easy uphill climbing on steep slopes with M1, or using engine braking downhill to avoid brake wear. I often drive in the city, and switching to M1 in traffic jams or during rain/snow ensures smoother speed and reduces the risk of skidding. In fact, Haval cars have conveniently placed controls near the steering wheel or gear lever, so beginners don’t need to worry about difficulty—just practice a few times in a safe area to improve driving confidence and fun. Remember not to shift to low gears arbitrarily during normal driving to avoid excessive engine load.
