Which is Faster for Starting, D Gear or L Gear?
2 Answers
Whether D gear or L gear is faster for starting depends on different situations. D gear is the forward gear, suitable for urban areas and general road conditions. L gear is the low-speed gear, used when climbing slopes where D gear cannot handle, and generally L gear is divided into 1, 2, and 3 gears, which can be selected according to road conditions. The introduction of automatic transmission gears is as follows: 1. P—Parking gear: When parking and not in use, the gear is in this position, and the wheels are mechanically locked to prevent rolling. 2. R—Reverse gear: Used for reversing. 3. N—Neutral gear: Used for temporary parking. Note that this gear indicates neutral, and to prevent the vehicle from rolling on a slope, the brake must be pressed. 4. D—Forward gear, also known as the drive gear: Used for moving forward. 5. 2—Low-speed gear: Used for starting on very steep slopes or when launching on a relatively inclined slope. 6. L—Low gear: When going downhill or descending a long slope, placing the gear here limits the car's gear to automatically stay in the lowest gear, allowing the car to use engine power for braking when going downhill, preventing the driver from having to press the brake for a long time, which could cause the brake pads to overheat and become dangerous.
As someone who frequently drives to work, I've tried multiple times with an automatic transmission car. Starting in D (Drive) gear is much faster because it allows the transmission to shift up automatically, providing a smooth and efficient acceleration from a standstill. L (Low) gear is designed for climbing steep slopes or heavy loads, limiting the engine to low RPMs during startup—resulting in louder engine noise but slower speed buildup, almost like dragging your feet. Therefore, D gear is more suitable for everyday road conditions. Unless you're on muddy or snowy terrain, avoid using L gear for starting; a light press on the accelerator in D gear will make you zoom off instantly. Regarding maintenance, regular transmission fluid changes can make starts smoother, which is quite important—don’t overlook it while driving.
