Which gear should an automatic car be in when going down a long slope?
2 Answers
An automatic car should be in L gear when going down a long slope, using the gear to control the speed and avoid prolonged braking, which causes unnecessary wear on the brake pads. More details are as follows: 1. The lower the gear, the greater the engine's traction. When the vehicle is kept in a low gear, the speed increases more slowly compared to being in a high gear. At this time, combined with the effect of the brakes, the braking effect is more obvious and safer. 2. Automatic transmissions use planetary gear mechanisms for shifting. They can automatically shift gears based on the degree of the accelerator pedal and changes in vehicle speed. The driver only needs to operate the accelerator pedal to control the speed. Generally, the following types of automatic transmissions are commonly used in cars: hydraulic automatic transmissions, hydrostatic automatic transmissions, electric automatic transmissions, stepped mechanical automatic transmissions, and continuously variable mechanical automatic transmissions. The most common is the hydraulic automatic transmission.
I've been driving for many years, often on mountain roads. When going down long slopes with an automatic transmission, it's absolutely necessary to switch to a lower gear, such as manual mode in second gear or L gear. This relies on the engine's braking force to control speed, avoiding prolonged brake use that could lead to overheating and failure. I remember once while traveling in Huangshan, I almost lost my brakes going downhill in D gear, which gave me a real scare. Since then, I've made it a habit to shift down for speed reduction whenever I see a long slope. The operation is simple: just gently move the gear lever, and the tachometer will rise a bit. Safety first—it's best to prepare a few hundred meters in advance, and checking with an auxiliary brake is even more reliable. Don't wait until there's a problem to regret it. Also, when the slope is steep, don't exceed the speed limit; maintaining stability is key.
