Which gear to use for long downhill descents?
2 Answers
Automatic transmission vehicles can use the D gear for downhill driving, or the L gear if available. Below are relevant introductions about downhill gears: 1. Reason for using L gear: When descending mountains or long-distance slopes, shifting to the L gear restricts the car to the lowest gear (equivalent to first gear in a manual transmission car), allowing the vehicle to use engine braking during descent. This prevents the driver from having to continuously apply the brakes, which could overheat the brake pads and pose a danger. 2. Precautions: When driving an automatic transmission, remember not to shift to neutral at red lights or during downhill descents. Instead, keep the car in the forward gear and control the speed using the gear and brakes to avoid accidents.
When driving down a long slope, safety is my top priority and must never be taken lightly. I'm accustomed to using lower gears—for manual transmissions, I shift to second or first gear, while for automatic transmissions, I switch to L gear or the lower-numbered gears in manual mode. This way, engine braking helps slow the car down without constantly pressing the brakes. Otherwise, brake pads can overheat, turn red-hot, and potentially fail completely. On steep slopes, brake failure can lead to unimaginable consequences. Having driven mountain roads for years, I've witnessed accidents caused by overheated brakes, and it's truly terrifying. Using lower gears not only protects the braking system and extends component lifespan but also ensures smoother driving and reduces accident risks. I always advise friends this way—safety always comes first; don’t prioritize fuel efficiency by accelerating downhill in high gears.
