What is the purpose of the plus and minus signs on the gear shift of the Equinox?

[DelJohnny]

The plus and minus signs on the gear shift of the Equinox are part of the manual-automatic transmission, a type of automatic transmission that adds manual shifting functionality on top of the automatic mode, with no significant difference in essence between the two. The function of the Equinox's gear shift: When rapid acceleration or uphill driving is required, pressing the minus (-) sign lowers the transmission gear, quickly increasing the engine speed and instantly boosting the vehicle's torque. Therefore, the manual mode is also referred to as the sport mode, a mode that aligns with the driver's intentions. As for the plus (+) operation, it is rarely used, mainly because the vehicle can upshift on its own in D gear, and it also performs well in fuel consumption control. Note on manual mode: The transmission will not upshift if the vehicle speed and engine speed do not meet the required conditions, as each operation must be approved by the transmission control unit. In manual mode, the transmission will assist in downshifting when the speed is low but will not actively upshift.