Which gear should be used when driving an automatic transmission car downhill?
1 Answers
When driving an automatic transmission car downhill, you can choose a gear that restricts upshifting. Available gear options: You can select D (Drive) gear or L (Low) gear, which helps utilize engine braking. For automatic cars with manual mode (Tiptronic), you can downshift using the manual mode. Additionally, many SUV models are equipped with HDC (Hill Descent Control), which can be activated on steep slopes to achieve automatic deceleration without pressing the brake pedal. The vehicle will descend at a very slow speed, allowing the driver to focus solely on steering. Gears to avoid: Do not select N (Neutral) gear for coasting, as this is a dangerous practice. It eliminates the effect of engine braking, and the bad habit of coasting in neutral can damage the transmission's lifespan.