When should the L gear in Honda CR-V be used?

[HaydenFitz]

L stands for Low, meaning low gear. The L gear can be used when going down or up long slopes, or when the vehicle requires greater torque. Usage when climbing steep slopes: When climbing relatively steep slopes, greater torque is needed, and the L gear can be used at this time to increase wheel torque. Usage when descending steep slopes: When descending relatively steep slopes, relying solely on the braking system to slow down is not advisable, as this may cause the braking system to overheat and fail. In such cases, the L gear comes into play. After shifting into the L gear, the engine will remain in a lower gear without upshifting, allowing the car to use engine braking to slow down.

[VonDavid]

As a veteran driver with twenty years of experience, let me tell you, the L gear in the CRV is definitely not just for show. It works exceptionally well on long downhill mountain roads, especially when the car is fully loaded with the family and luggage. As soon as you shift into L gear, you can clearly feel the car being held back, and the speed stabilizes on its own—no need to stomp on the brakes constantly. After driving for half an hour, the brake discs won’t even get hot. It’s also great for climbing snowy slopes, preventing wheel spin and delivering much more power than D gear. Just remember not to use this gear on flat roads—it guzzles fuel, and the engine noise at 3,000 to 4,000 RPM is unbearable.

[JadeRose]

Last time I took the kids skiing was when I finally figured out how to use this L gear. When fully loaded and slowing down on steep slopes, the effect was amazing! Previously, I had to constantly tap the brakes when going downhill in our old sedan, but now with the CR-V in L gear, just releasing the throttle keeps the speed steadily controlled at around 30 km/h—the kids can snack in the back seat without anything spilling. However, a word of caution: never accidentally engage this gear when maneuvering in the city. Once, I was reversing into a parking spot with L gear on, and even with the pedal to the metal, it crawled along so slowly that the honking from cars behind made my scalp tingle.

[AdelynFitz]

Just got back from the Sichuan-Tibet highway run, and the CR-V's L gear is absolutely a lifesaver for long descents. On the 318 National Highway with dozens of kilometers of continuous downhill, using D gear the whole way would have made the brake pads smoke long ago. With L gear engaged, you can hear the engine's whirring braking sound, and the dashboard shows the engine RPM staying around 3000, automatically keeping the speed at about 40 km/h. However, be aware that this gear is particularly fuel-consuming on paved roads—the tachometer jumps up rapidly, and the instant fuel consumption can surge above 20 liters.

[MaciLynn]

The core of using L gear is to control the vehicle speed. When moving and towing a small trailer on a highway ramp, the car would accelerate uncontrollably in D gear, requiring constant braking. Switching to L gear instantly made the tachometer needle jump, and the speed automatically dropped from 70 km/h to 50 km/h. The principle is to use the transmission to increase the engine RPM, relying on engine braking to slow down. However, it's important to note that the CRV has a CVT transmission, and prolonged high-RPM operation can be harmful to the steel belt. Remember to switch back when driving on flat roads.

[VonEverett]

Last year, driving the CRV to Wuyi Mountain really helped me understand the L gear. Using this gear on continuous downhill sections keeps the RPM high but minimizes the need for braking. A homestay owner taught me to observe the water tanks of heavy trucks halfway up the mountain, explaining that they spray water to cool the brake pads, and using L gear in private cars follows the same protective principle. However, it's advised to use caution when entering or exiting underground parking garages, as sudden deceleration during turns can lead to rear-end collisions. Moreover, there's really no need to use this gear on flat concrete surfaces.