When to Use the M Gear?
2 Answers
M gear is used when overtaking, climbing steep slopes, or descending steep slopes. The M gear refers to the manual mode of an automatic transmission, which allows manual control of gear shifting (upshifting and downshifting). There is no need to press the brake or release the accelerator when using the M gear. Other gears of an automatic transmission include: 1. P (Parking gear); 2. R (Reverse gear); 3. N (Neutral gear); 4. D (Drive gear); 5. S (Sport gear). The functions of the M gear are: 1. Providing greater traction during overtaking; 2. Delivering more power when climbing long slopes; 3. Utilizing engine braking to control speed when descending long slopes, preventing brake overheating and thermal fade.
Having driven for over a decade, I've found the M (manual) mode quite practical, especially during uphill/downhill drives or special road conditions. For instance, during long highway descents in automatic mode, the car keeps gaining speed requiring constant braking, which wears brake pads and risks overheating failure; switching to M mode and downshifting one or two gears makes the engine automatically drag the car to help decelerate, ensuring safety and peace of mind. The same applies when climbing steep slopes - manually maintaining lower gears provides sufficient power to prevent rollback. During overtaking or acceleration bursts, manual downshifting to raise RPM makes the car respond faster and more sharply, giving a feeling of total control. I also practice using it in traffic jams to reduce automatic gearshift jerks and save some fuel. Remember to understand the principles before experimenting casually.
