Which gear should be used for driving an automatic transmission car on mountain roads?
2 Answers
D gear or L gear. The following is a relevant introduction about gear shifting: 1. Function: It allows the car to drive at a very low and stable speed, which is difficult to achieve solely by the minimum stable speed of the internal combustion engine; the reverse gear of the transmission enables the car to move backward; the neutral gear allows the engine to be separated from the transmission system for a long time when starting the engine, parking, or coasting. 2. Operation essentials: Start with 1st gear, then shift to 2nd gear when the tachometer pointer reaches around 2000 rpm, then shift to 3rd gear when the tachometer reaches around 2000 rpm, and then check the speedometer. When the car's speedometer pointer points to around 40 mph, you can shift to 4th gear.
I have extensive experience driving automatic transmission cars on mountain roads, with safety as my top priority. When going uphill, I use the D gear to maintain normal driving and avoid frequent gear shifts. The biggest fear when going downhill is brake overheating and failure, so I switch to manual mode or S gear and downshift to 2nd or 3rd gear to use engine braking for deceleration, protecting the brake system. Mountain roads have many curves and steep slopes, and this method helps maintain stable speed and reduce accident risks. Before each trip, I perform a quick check on the gear settings to ensure smooth operation, especially adjusting before long downhill sections—this saves fuel and ensures a smooth, safe journey.
