Which gear should be used for automatic transmission when climbing a slope?
2 Answers
When climbing a slope with an automatic transmission, you should use the D gear or L gear. Using D gear: Also known as the drive gear, when the gear shift lever is placed in this position, the hydraulic system control device automatically connects the corresponding forward gear oil circuit based on the throttle opening signal and vehicle speed signal. When using D1 gear, the gear is locked in 1st gear, and D2 gear locks the gear between 1st and 2nd. Using L gear: The L gear is also a low forward gear. Shifting to L gear locks the transmission between 1st and 2nd gears. When climbing a slope, greater torque is needed to push the car upward and overcome the resistance of the slope.
After driving automatic transmission cars for so many years, I prefer using lower gears when climbing hills. For regular slopes, the D gear is sufficient, but for steeper or longer hills, like those on mountain roads, switching to D1, L gear, or manual mode's lower gears is better. This allows the engine to provide more torque and prevents rolling back. I remember once during a trip to Huangshan, the slope was so steep that the car almost slid backward—switching to L gear immediately stabilized it. Some modern cars even come with hill-start assist, just press a button for convenience and safety. Beginners can try lightly pressing the accelerator to control speed. In short, don’t just rely on D gear for climbing hills; adjusting flexibly is the right approach.