What is the method for shifting with a column-mounted gear selector?
3 Answers
The method for shifting with a column-mounted gear selector is: 1. When needing to shift gears, press the brake pedal and then move the gear lever; 2. After starting, the neutral position is engaged, pulling upward shifts into reverse gear, and pushing downward shifts into drive gear; 3. When parking, press the brake and shift into neutral, then press the external button to engage the parking (P) gear. There are two types of gear lever arrangements in cars: floor-mounted and column-mounted. The gear lever located below the steering wheel is called a column-mounted gear selector, with the same gear arrangement pattern as a conventional automatic transmission. Column-mounted gear selectors are exclusively used in automatic transmissions, and can be found in models such as the BMW 7 Series, Mercedes-Benz S-Class, Mercedes-Benz R-Class, Mercedes-Benz ML-Class, and Mercedes-Benz GL-Class.
I've driven quite a few cars with column shifters, and the operation is actually quite simple. After starting the vehicle, press the brake pedal with your foot, then directly operate the gear lever located on the right rear side of the steering wheel with your right hand: push it all the way down for D (Drive) to move forward, push it all the way up for R (Reverse) to back up, and press the button on top of the lever when stopped to engage P (Park). At first, you might not be used to it and want to look down at the gear position, but after two or three days, you can operate it blindly. Remember to press the brake pedal all the way down when shifting gears, otherwise, you won't be able to engage the gear. The biggest advantage of this design is that your hand doesn't need to leave the steering wheel area while driving, making it particularly convenient to shift from D to N (Neutral) at traffic lights. With the absence of a gear lever in the center console, the space becomes much more spacious, making it especially convenient to place bags.
After using the column shifter for a while, you'll find its design very user-friendly. To shift gears, simply flick the lever near the steering wheel with your right hand: press the brake, pull down for Drive, push up for Reverse, and press the top button for Park. Initially, you might worry about accidental touches, but the lever has foolproof design - you can't engage Park while moving. Once I drove five hours non-stop on a long trip, and the column shifter made frequent gear changes completely effortless. Just remember not to spray water directly on the lever during car washes to avoid damaging electronic components. This design originated from classic American cars, now adopted by Tesla and Mercedes, proving far more efficient than traditional gear levers in real-world use.
