Depending on the type of automatic transmission you get for your first vehicle, you will discover a wonderous world of pre-set speeds & the absence of a clutch, which makes the experience much merrier. But first – let’s get you up to scratch on the letters & numbers on an auto gear shift.
In this blog post by Brownsville Toyota, we’ll look at different letters and numbers on the gearbox. So, if you’re planning to buy an automatic car, you must understand what these gears do before making your purchase.
How Does An Automatic Transmission Work?
An automatic transmission uses a complex system of hydraulic pumps, valves, torque converters, and gears to shift between different gear ratios. The transmission is controlled by a computer, which tells the transmission when to shift based on input from sensors.
The auto transmission will shift to a higher gear as the engine speed increases.
Letters and numbers on the automatic gearbox confuse a lot of new drivers. We’ll try to make it easier for our readers!
P-R-N-D-L (say PRINDLE) – These are the most frequent letters on a vehicle gear shift. P is for Park, R for Reverse, N for Neutral, D for Drive, and L for Low.
-
P – Park
The parking pawl is a mechanism that locks the gearbox so the vehicle can’t move. You should only put your car in ‘Park’ when you need to get out.
-
R – Reverse
This is the reverse gear position of the car. You’d use this one to back up.
-
N – Neutral
This is the gear position where the engine and transmission are not connected. The car will roll freely but won’t move under its power.
-
D – Drive
This is the gear position for forwarding motion. This is the most common position used when driving.
-
L – Low
This position is similar to drive but with a lower gear ratio. This is usually used for towing or driving on slippery or loose surfaces.
-
S – Sports
It is similar to drive but with a higher gear ratio. This setting is used when more power is needed, such as passing another vehicle.
Some Important Tips
Automatic cars are easy to drive, but you should know a few things before getting behind the wheel.
- Always stop your car completely before shifting into reverse.
- Make sure you’re on level ground before shifting into the park.
- Don’t press down on the brake pedal while driving. This can cause the brake pads to wear out prematurely.
- If you’re going down an incline, use the lower gears to control your speed.
- When passing another vehicle, use the passing gear to get up to speed quickly.
Brownsville Toyota is a new & used car dealership in Brownsville that provides a high level of care to drivers in Texas.
We encourage our customers to explore the array of resources we provide, from exploring the new Toyota line-up to learning about your car financing options or acquiring genuine automotive parts.
We want to ensure that drivers in Brownsville have an exceptional experience when they visit us. Please don’t hesitate to reach out if there’s anything we can do for you.
View our inventory of new and used cars now!
Connect with us
