What is the R gear?
3 Answers
R is the reverse gear, one of the gears in an automatic transmission car, used when the vehicle is reversing. Introduction to other gears in an automatic transmission car: 1. P gear is the parking gear, used when the vehicle is parked for a long time; 2. N gear is the neutral gear, engaged when the vehicle is parked for a short time without turning off the engine; 3. D gear is the drive gear, when the gear lever is placed in D gear, the vehicle will automatically shift gears based on throttle opening and speed data; 4. S gear is the sport mode, making the vehicle more sporty to drive; 5. M gear refers to the manual mode, when the gear lever is placed in M gear, shifting is done manually by the driver; 6. L gear is the low gear.
I used to wonder about this when I first started driving. The R gear is actually the reverse gear. Every time you shift the gear lever to the R position, the car will move backward. I remember one time in a parking lot, I accidentally shifted to D gear thinking I was in reverse, and almost hit a pillar behind me. Luckily, I reacted quickly and avoided an accident. Since then, I’ve been extra careful with gear shifting—making sure to come to a complete stop, press the brake, and then shift to R gear. When reversing, I also rely on the rearview mirror and camera, turning the steering wheel slowly. In an automatic transmission car, the gear sequence is usually from P (Park), R (Reverse), N (Neutral), to D (Drive), and you shouldn’t shift out of order. Regularly check the transmission fluid; if you can’t shift into R gear, it might be a sensor issue or mechanical problem, so it’s best to have a mechanic look at it early. Safety comes first, and developing good habits can prevent a lot of trouble.
During driving school, the instructor repeatedly emphasized gear knowledge, where the R gear stands for Reverse, meaning the reverse gear. When I was learning manual transmission, shifting into R gear required pressing the unlock button on the gear lever before turning, a design intended to prevent accidental engagement while moving. When reversing, always check the surroundings first, ensure there are no obstacles, then slowly release the clutch while applying the throttle. Automatic transmission cars are simpler; after shifting into R gear, the car will automatically move backward, but avoid shifting gears randomly at high speeds, as it can easily damage the transmission. Develop the habit: ensure the car is completely stopped before switching gears. Once, a friend driving a new car couldn’t figure out the gear sequence and struggled to move; it turned out the gear lever wasn’t fully engaged. In daily driving, these small details accumulate to enhance driving confidence and safety.
