Which One is Reverse Gear in an Automatic Transmission?
2 Answers
In an automatic transmission, the reverse gear is indicated by the letter 'R'. Here are some precautions for reversing: 1. When reversing, press the brake to stop the car completely, then press the lock switch on the gear lever to shift into 'R' gear; 2. Check the side mirrors and rearview camera to ensure there are no obstacles behind the car, and also honk twice to alert pedestrians and vehicles nearby; 3. Slowly release the brake to allow the car to move at a low speed. The gears in an automatic transmission car include: 1. 'P' for Parking, used when the vehicle is parked for an extended period; 2. 'N' for Neutral, used when the vehicle is parked briefly without turning off the engine; 3. 'D' for Drive, where the vehicle automatically shifts gears based on throttle input and speed when the gear lever is in 'D'; 4. 'S' for Sport mode, which makes the vehicle more sporty to drive; 5. 'M' for Manual mode, where gear shifts are done manually by the driver when the gear lever is in 'M'; 6. 'L' for Low gear.
When driving, I've also studied the gear shift lever. You really have to stare at those letters for a few seconds to distinguish them. Nowadays, mainstream automatic transmissions mostly follow the PRNDL layout, with the big letter R marking the reverse gear. For brands like Volkswagen and Toyota, the R gear is usually positioned between P and N gears. Pushing the lever all the way forward engages D gear, while pulling it past N gear engages R gear. Always remember to press the brake pedal before reversing. Once shifted to R gear, the car will start moving backward when you release the brake - just remember to check the rearview mirror. Many people get confused when using electronic shifters for the first time, but actually, the rotary knob or button shifters also have clear R markings. After engaging reverse gear, the dashboard will display the rearview camera image along with beeping radar alerts. You'll get used to it after a few tries.
