Which gear should be used for automatic transmission cars when climbing a slope?

[McPreston]

When climbing a slope with an automatic transmission, you should use the D gear or L gear. The L gear stands for low gear, and shifting to L gear locks the transmission in the 1-2 gear range. Climbing a slope requires greater torque to push the car upward and overcome the slope resistance. Owners of mid-to-high-end models prefer using the S gear for climbing slopes. Of course, the S gear provides very strong power, making it effortless for climbing. However, using the S gear for climbing can put the engine under high load, and prolonged use may damage the engine. The M gear is the manual mode for automatic transmission cars. Owners can manually shift up or down using "M+" and "M-", which is a more precise operation for climbing or overtaking based on actual driving conditions. Some models do not have L, D1, D2, M, or S gears. In fact, many modern cars are equipped with a hill-start assist system. Activating this function not only prevents rolling backward but also ensures a more stable start. For automatic transmission cars going downhill, you can use L, M, S, 1/2/3, or +/- gears. The main purpose is to keep the engine at a low speed while achieving a braking effect. Especially during long descents, keeping the car in D gear and continuously pressing the brake can easily cause the brake pads to overheat and lose braking effectiveness, which may seriously affect safety.