Which Gear to Use When Driving Downhill?

1 Answers
DiGideon
07/29/25 8:07pm
For automatic transmission vehicles, you can use the D gear when driving downhill, or the L gear if available. When descending a mountain or a long slope, shifting to the L gear restricts the vehicle to the lowest gear (equivalent to first gear in a manual transmission), allowing the engine to assist in braking. This prevents the driver from having to continuously apply the brakes, which can overheat the brake pads and pose a danger. Most vehicles have five gears: P, R, N, D, and S. Below is an introduction to these gears: P (Parking) - Used when the vehicle is parked and not in use. In this position, the wheels are mechanically locked to prevent rolling. The P gear should only be engaged when the vehicle is completely stopped to avoid damaging the automatic transmission. R (Reverse) - Used for reversing. Never shift to R unless the vehicle is fully stopped, as this can severely damage the transmission. N (Neutral) - Used for temporary stops (e.g., at a red light). This position indicates neutral, and the brake must be applied to prevent rolling on a slope. D (Drive) - Used for normal driving on regular roads. S (Sport) - Indicates sport mode. In this position, gears can be freely switched, but the shifting is delayed to keep the engine at higher RPMs for increased power. This mode will result in higher fuel consumption.
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