What Do The Automatic Gear Shift Symbols Mean In Modern Vehicles?

There is some confusion behind the letters and numbers on the gear shift in modern vehicles. Of course, you don’t want to come across as a novice when dealing with a car salesperson! That’s why we have demystified what those letters and numbers mean!

Reading this blog post by Cutter CDJR Honolulu will help you better understand your car – and we promise you won’t end up embarrassing yourself when you purchase a car!

Without further ado, let’s begin!

Understanding the Letters on the Gear Shift Knob!

The first thing you need to know is that the letters on the gear shift knob correspond to the different types of gear.

The most common are:

• P – Park
• R – Reverse
• N – Neutral
• D – Drive

These are the basic and most essential positions for your car. You’ll find them in pretty much every modern automatic transmission car.

1. P (Park)

When parking your automobile, you need to be in ‘P.’ Your car can’t move when it is in park gear. Before starting your vehicle, ensure it’s in ‘park.’

If you’re parked on a hill, it’s extra important to use your emergency brake in addition to putting the car in park.

2. R (Reverse)

You need to be in this position when you want your car to move backward. You’ll find it pretty easy to identify because it’s usually next to ‘P.’

3. N (Neutral)

Your car needs to be in this position when it’s not moving. When there are long stops (red lights or traffic jams), it’s preferred to put your car in neutral for fuel efficiency!

4. D (Drive)

Your car should be in this position when you want it to move forward. In this position, your car automatically shifts gear.

Let’s Explore the Numbers!

Some other letters & numbers might appear on your gear shift knob as well, and they are:

• L – Low gear
• 2 – Second gear
• 3 – Third gear
• S – Sports Mode

1. L (Low)

You need to be in this position when you want your car to drive at a slower speed, such as driving on a gravel road.

2. 2 (Second)

This position is for when you want your car to drive a bit faster than in low gear; It’s used to drive at a moderate speed.

3. 3 (Third)

This position is for when you want your car to drive fast. It’s mostly used when you’re driving on the highway.

4. S (Sports Mode)

This position is for when you want your car to drive sportily. You can use this mode on a highway or a winding road.

The car will shift gears differently in this mode and will usually respond more to your accelerator inputs.

So, are you prepped to upgrade to an automatic car? If you’re a Honolulu resident, look no further than Cutter CDJR Honolulu , serving Honolulu, HI. We have an impressive variety of new and pre-owned cars to choose from. And our customer service staff will make sure to help you every step of the way.

Visit us today or explore our inventory of new vehicles now!

Posted in Blog | No Comments »