Which gear is reverse in an automatic transmission car?
3 Answers
In an automatic transmission car, the reverse gear is the R gear. Below is a detailed introduction to the meanings represented by the gear letters P, R, N, D, and L in a car: 1. P gear: The letter P stands for the word "Park," which means "parking" in Chinese. This gear is also called the "parking gear" and is used when parking the car. 2. R gear: The letter R stands for the word "Reverse," which means "backward, opposite, and reverse gear" in Chinese. This gear is also called the "reverse gear." When you need to reverse the car, engaging this gear will make the car move backward. 3. N gear: The letter N stands for the word "Neutral," which means "neutral, neutral gear, and free gear" in Chinese. This gear is called the "neutral gear" and can be used when starting the car, during towing, or when temporarily stopping (e.g., at a red light). 4. D gear: The letter D stands for the word "Drive," which means "forward, driving" in Chinese. This gear is called the "drive gear." After starting the car, you should engage the D gear. The car's transmission will automatically shift gears, and as the driver, you only need to steer the wheel and control the accelerator and brake. 5. L gear: The letter L stands for the word "Low," which means "low, low gear speed" in Chinese. This gear is called the "low drive gear." When going up or down a mountain or descending a long slope, engaging this gear limits the car's gear to the lowest gear only, allowing the car to use engine power for braking when going downhill. This prevents the driver from having to press the brake for a long time, which could overheat the brake pads and cause danger.
Every time I drive an automatic transmission car, the reverse gear is the position marked with an "R" on the gear lever, representing Reverse. When operating, the car must be completely stopped, the right foot must firmly press the brake pedal, and then gently push the lever to the R position. After shifting into gear, slowly release the brake to control the reversing speed, avoiding any haste. During reversing, I always turn my head to check the rearview mirror and rear window to avoid blind spots where people might be; if the car has a reversing camera and radar, it's best to turn them on for additional visibility. In crowded parking lots, I honk the horn to warn others before moving, as children or electric scooters often appear suddenly, which is very dangerous. Develop good habits: the brake must be fully pressed before shifting gears, and the car must be stationary when starting to reverse, with the speed not exceeding 5 kilometers per hour. Different car brands may have slight variations in design, but the R gear is generally located at the top of the gear lever, sometimes requiring a button press to unlock. In short, safety comes first—always be extra cautious of your surroundings to minimize accidents.
When I first started learning to drive an automatic car, I knew that the reverse gear was the option displayed as "R". The operation is quite simple: stop the car and press the brake, then shift the gear lever to the letter R, and the car will slowly move backward. Common mistakes beginners make include forgetting to press the brake before shifting gears, causing the car to jerk forward; or only looking ahead and not checking the rear while reversing, which can lead to hitting a wall. It's recommended for new drivers to practice reversing into parking spaces in open areas to get familiar with the car's response speed. If the car has a rearview camera system, remember to turn it on for assistance; if not, you can install small rearview mirrors to increase visibility. During reversing, avoid pressing the accelerator too hard—just gently control the brake to move forward or backward. When encountering narrow paths, get out and observe first before reversing; don't rely solely on feeling. Over time, it will become second nature—driving is all about practice making perfect.
