Meaning of Letters and Numbers on Automatic Car Gear Shift & Their Functions
Does an automatic car have gears? Yes, of course it does. Here are some meanings of the letters and numbers found on the automatic car's gear shift. Pay attention until the end, okay.
Automatic cars are increasingly popular among the Indonesian public each year. This is because these cars are considered more energy-efficient and easy to use.
Driving an automatic car is indeed simpler and does not drain energy because the driver does not need to press the clutch pedal and does not need to shift gears.
However, before you decide to buy and use an automatic car, it is advisable to learn the meanings of the letters and numbers on the automatic car's gear shift along with their functions. Let's take a look below.
Meanings of Letters and Numbers on Automatic Car Gear Shift
What are the automatic gear shifts? For those of you who are new to using automatic cars, you will find letter and number codes such as P, R, N, D, 2, 1/L. You certainly will not find this in cars with manual transmission. Here are the meanings of the codes on each automatic car gear shift lever.
1. Letter P
This code means Parking.
2. Letter R
This code means Reverse.
3. Letter N
The letter N means Neutral.
4. Letter D
The letter D means Drive.
Read Also: Vehicle Won't Move? Here Are the Causes of Gear Shift Issues
5. Letter L
The letter L means Low.
6. Letter S
The letter S on the gear shift means Sport.
7. Letter M
The letter M means Manual Mode. However, not many automatic cars have this code as it is only found in certain automatic cars.
8. Numbers 1 and 2
The numbers 1 and 2 on the gear shift indicate the position of gears 1 or 2 when operated.
9. Numbers 2 and 3
Indicate the speed code of the car's gears.
Read Also: Causes of Automatic Car Gear Shift Issues
Functions of Letters and Numbers on Automatic Car Gear Shift
After you understand the codes on the automatic car transmission as mentioned above, these codes have the following functions.
1. Letter P
This code functions as the parking mode. When you want to park the car, you use the P mode.
When you shift the transmission to the P position, your car is automatically locked and cannot move because the gears in the transmission are also locked.
2. Letter R
The R code is used to reverse the car. If you want to reverse your car, just shift the gear lever to the R position.
3. Letter N
The N code functions to neutralize the car. In neutral, the engine's rotation connected to the wheels is disconnected, but it is not locked like in position P. This allows you to push the car if it breaks down.
4. Letter D
The D code functions to drive the car. Generally, automatic cars move by shifting the transmission lever to D to move forward.
In this position, there are number codes 1 to 3. You can automatically adjust the gear shifts. Number 1 is used when you are going down a steep road to prevent the car from going too fast.
Or you can use it when the car is going uphill. Number 2 is usually used to set the car's speed within the medium speed limit. Number 3 indicates that the car is in gear 3, allowing it to move at high speed.
Read Also: Negative Effects of Positioning the Lever in D When the Automatic Car Stops
5. Letter L
The L code functions to reduce the car's speed from gear 3 to gear 2 or 1 when going down or up a hill.
6. Letter S
The S code functions to increase the car's speed to its highest speed. By simply pressing the S button, the car enters Sport mode. This is suitable for test drives on toll roads or free roads. This letter code is usually only found in luxury automatic cars.
7. Letter M
This code functions the same as the D code, which is to start driving the car.
That’s some meanings and functions of the letter and number codes on the automatic car gear shift. If your automatic car's gear shift has issues, you can take it directly to the Daihatsu workshop for the best handling.
