Which is Faster for Starting, D Gear or L Gear?
4 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.
I'm quite fascinated by car performance and have compared starts in D and L gears. D gear allows for faster starts because it enables the engine to quickly reach high speeds, ensuring smooth acceleration; L gear locks in a low gear, providing strong torque at the start but limiting speed, which can actually hold you back. On dry roads, D gear lets me shoot off quickly when racing; on slippery surfaces, L gear might prevent wheel spin, but it doesn't offer any speed advantage. The car model also affects the outcome—for instance, sport-tuned cars perform more aggressively in D gear. It's advisable not to floor the accelerator at the start; gentle acceleration protects the engine, and L gear should only be used in special situations. For everyday driving, D gear is the preferred choice—fast and fuel-efficient.
After driving an automatic transmission car for a long time, I can confidently say that starting in D gear is absolutely faster. It shifts gears automatically, allowing the engine to accelerate smoothly to high speeds; whereas L gear keeps the car in low gear, making the start sluggish, almost like crawling. The transmission is designed this way, with D gear being the best for handling starts—no need to complicate things. Even when encountering changes in road conditions, such as slopes, D gear is still the preferred choice, and normal starts are no problem. Simply remember, choose D gear for an easy solution, and save L gear for emergencies.
