If you just bought a car with an automatic transmission, there’s a good chance you don’t know much about what the letters mean on the gear selector. Many drivers just put it in Drive and go without ever knowing what all those cryptic symbols mean. York Dodge will explain each letter on the gear selector.
Understanding Automatic Transmission
An automatic transmission changes gear ratios as the vehicle moves, freeing the driver from manually shifting gears. They are typically found in passenger cars and light trucks. Commercial vehicles such as buses and heavy lorries usually use manual transmissions because automatic transmissions would be too expensive and cumbersome for these larger vehicles.
Automatic transmissions use a variety of sensors to determine when to shift gears. These sensors include speed sensors, throttle position sensors, and pressure sensors. The transmission also has its internal computer, which considers all this information and makes shifting decisions.
Automatic Transmission Gears Explained
The gear selector on an automatic transmission car has several letters and numbers. The most common ones are D, R, N, and P. These stand for Drive, Reverse, Neutral, and Park. However, there are also other less common symbols like S or L. So what do all these mean?
1. D Gear
D is by far the most commonly used symbol on the gear selector. It stands for Drive and is used when you want to move forward.
2. R Gear
R is Reverse and is only used when you want to back up.
3. N Gear
N stands for Neutral and is used when you’re not moving forward or backward.
4. P Gear
P is Park and is only used when you want to park your car.
5. S and L Gears
S and L are less common symbols that you might see on the gear selector of an automatic transmission car. S stands for Sport mode and is usually used when you want to go faster or drive more aggressively. L stands for Low gear and is typically only used when going downhill or needing extra power.
Knowing what these letters and numbers mean can help demystify automatic transmissions and make them less intimidating. So the next time you’re behind the wheel of an automatic transmission car, look at the gear selector and see if you can figure out what all the different symbols mean! You might be surprised at how much you already know.
Ending Note
Now that you understand what those letters mean on the gear selector, you can confidently drive your car. York Dodge serving Prescott, AZ, is here to help you know everything about your vehicle so that you can enjoy a safe and smooth driving experience. We have an extensive inventory of vehicles with automatic transmissions if you’re in the market for a new car. See us today to help us find the perfect vehicle for your needs.
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