Which Gear is the Reverse Gear in a Car?

[McArthur]

The reverse gear in a car is the R gear. R gear: Reverse means 'to turn back' and is used for reversing the vehicle. To engage the reverse gear, press the safety button on the gear lever. However, it is important to ensure that the vehicle is completely stopped before shifting to avoid severe damage to the transmission. Automatic transmission cars have gear positions marked with letters such as P, R, N, D, S, and L. The P gear stands for Parking, R for Reverse, N for Neutral, D for Drive, S for Sport, L for Low, and M for Manual. Different gear combinations provide varying power outputs, and 'shifting gears' means selecting different gear combinations to adjust the power output based on the car's speed. Below is an explanation of each gear: P gear: Parking means 'to park.' It is the parking gear used when the vehicle is parked. After reaching the destination or for long-term parking, shift the gear lever to this position. Note: The vehicle must be completely stopped before shifting into P gear. Shifting into P gear before the vehicle is fully stopped can damage the automatic transmission. When in P gear, the wheels are mechanically locked to prevent the vehicle from moving forward or backward, making it essential to use P gear when parking on slopes. Additionally, during short stops (e.g., at traffic lights), it is best not to shift into P gear to avoid severe transmission damage in case of a rear-end collision. N gear: Neutral means 'neutral' and is also called the neutral gear. At traffic lights, you can shift into this gear and press the brake pedal. For longer waits, it is recommended to engage the handbrake, allowing your foot to rest off the brake pedal. A common misconception is that shifting into N gear while coasting downhill or at high speeds saves fuel. This is incorrect and can actually damage the transmission. D gear: Drive means 'to drive' and is the forward gear in a car. Shifting into this gear and pressing the accelerator allows the vehicle to move. In this gear, the transmission automatically shifts based on speed and throttle input. At traffic lights, you can remain in D gear with the brake pedal pressed. For short waits, this is acceptable, but prolonged use can raise transmission fluid temperature and degrade its quality. S gear: Sport means 'sport' and is the sport mode in a car. Shifting into this gear delays gear shifts to provide more power, typically used during overtaking. L gear: Low means 'low speed' and is the low forward gear in a car. In this gear, the transmission operates only in low gear (equivalent to manual gear 1) and does not automatically shift to other gears based on speed. This gear is generally used for climbing or descending steep slopes. In low gear, the drive wheels deliver high torque, providing sufficient power for steep climbs. Prolonged braking can overheat brake pads and reduce braking efficiency, which is dangerous on long or steep descents. Shifting into L gear uses the engine's low RPM to control the vehicle's movement, eliminating the need for constant braking.