Which Gear Should You Use When Driving?

[StEliana]

Manual transmission vehicles use gears 1-5 while driving, and the forward gear for automatic transmissions is D. Detailed explanations of the gears are as follows: P (Park): This is the first gear position, used for parking. Generally, when parking, the gear is placed in this position. It is recommended to engage P gear when parking for more than three minutes. Ensure the car is completely stopped before shifting to P gear to prevent damage to the parking pawl. R (Reverse): This is the reverse gear. When shifting into this gear, the brake must be fully pressed. For automatic transmission cars, the brake must be pressed when shifting into P or R gears, but not for other gears. N (Neutral): This is the neutral gear, typically used for brief stops, such as waiting at a red light or for pedestrians. If stopping for more than three minutes, it is advisable to engage the handbrake or keep the brake pedal pressed, though holding the brake for long periods can be tiring. Note that N gear may cause the car to roll on steep slopes, so caution is necessary. D (Drive): This is the frequently used forward gear. Simply shift into this gear to move forward, and control the throttle as needed. M (Manual): This is the manual mode, converting the automatic transmission into a manual one. This feature is typically found in semi-automatic transmissions. After shifting into M gear, pushing forward increases the gear, while pulling back decreases it. L (Low): This is the low-speed gear, rarely used except when climbing or descending steep slopes. It generally stays in first gear and does not exceed third gear.