Ever wonder what the letters and numbers on your car’s automatic transmission meant? Well, wonder no more! Here is a handy guide to deciphering the markings. You’ll never be lost on what gear you’re in again! (*Disclaimer: May not help you drive any better)
Automatic Transmission Letters – What Do They Mean?
P, R, N, D, L – These are the most common letters found on automatic transmissions. They stand for Park, Reverse, Neutral, Drive, and Low.
Park – This puts the transmission in, well, park. The car will stay in position unless you put it in another gear.
Reverse – This puts the transmission in reverse. The car will move backward.
Neutral – This puts the transmission in neutral. The car will not move.
Drive – This is the normal driving position for the transmission. The car will go forward.
Low – This is a lower gear ratio than drive. Drivers use it to start from a stop or go up steep hills.
Some cars may also have an S or Sport mode. This setting is usually found on performance vehicles and allows quicker acceleration and shifting.
M – M stands for manual mode. In this position, the transmission functions as a manual transmission, giving you complete control over gear selection. The M gear is often used when driving in hilly or mountainous terrain to prevent the car from constantly shifting gears.
How to Change Gears
Changing gears is easy, just hit the brake pedal and shift the gear. An automatic car will have a + and – sign on the gear shift. Push the lever towards the + to go up a gear and towards the – to go down a gear.
For manual cars, the process is a little different. To change gears, you must first press the clutch pedal (located on the left side of the brake pedal). Once the pedal is fully depressed, move the gear shift to select the desired gear. To reverse, you’ll need to push down on the gear shift while simultaneously pressing the clutch pedal. Then, let off the clutch slowly until you feel the car start to move backward.
How Do Automatic Transmissions Work?
An automatic transmission system includes:
* A torque converter that couples the engine to the gearbox and multiplies torque
* A planetary gearset that provides various gear ratios
* Hydraulic fluid that transfers power from the engine to the transmission
As your car moves, the automatic transmission system constantly adapts to changes in speed and load. The automatic transmission system also has sensors that monitor various factors, such as engine speed, vehicle speed, and hydraulic pressure. These sensors relay information to the transmission control unit (TCU), which uses this data to determine when to shift gears.
Automatic transmission systems use complex technology to drive your vehicle. This is why you need to trust professionals for transmission repair and maintenance.
Here at Feldman CDJR of Woodhaven, serving Trenton, MI, we ensure our customers have complete knowledge about their vehicles; we’ve put together this guide to help you understand each letter and number on the automatic transmission system means. Next time your vehicle needs service or repairs, you can schedule an appointment with us, knowing exactly what you need.
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