Which gear should an automatic transmission car be in during traffic jams?
2 Answers
During traffic jams, an automatic transmission car should be in D (Drive) gear. Automatic transmissions do not require the driver to manually shift gears; the vehicle automatically selects the appropriate gear based on driving speed and traffic conditions. The gears of an automatic transmission are as follows: 1. P (Park) is the parking and starting gear; 2. R (Reverse) is the reverse gear; 3. N (Neutral) is the neutral gear; 4. D (Drive) is the forward gear, also known as the driving gear; 5. L (Low) is the low gear; 6. S (Sport) is the sport mode; 7. OD (Overdrive) is the overdrive gear. The starting steps for an automatic transmission are: 1. Press the start button twice in succession, and the car's computer system will enter self-check mode; 2. Press the foot brake and press the start/stop button to ignite; 3. Release the foot brake to begin warming up the car in place; 4. Press the foot brake and release the handbrake, then shift the gear from P to D; 5. Slowly release the foot brake to start moving; 6. Press the accelerator smoothly according to road conditions to drive safely.
In traffic jams, I think it's best to keep the car in D gear and lightly press the brake or enable the autohold function. This way, the car can still move slowly without getting completely stuck. However, don't keep pressing the brake continuously, as it can easily cause foot fatigue. If the traffic jam lasts particularly long, such as over a minute or two, it's better to shift to N gear and engage the electronic handbrake to give your legs and feet a rest. Many people prefer to shift to P gear, but that's actually not ideal. If the car behind fails to stop in time and rear-ends you, the transmission gears could be damaged, which isn't worth the risk. The key is to adjust according to the actual road conditions, keep your eyes on the road, and avoid getting distracted by using your phone.
