Driving an automatic car is easier than a manual car.
However, some are not familiar with the transmission system from D to D3. While on the other hand, some of them are familiar with the following transmissions (P, R, and D).
You need to know that each letter attached with a number on transmission has a particular function that it plays.
If you want to know the functions and how to use these gear systems, you will need to join our discussion today. We will look at the function of these auto gears in an automatic car. You will also see how and when to operate the reflex gears.
Functionality and Usage of D
This special gear represents driving in auto cars and is responsible for switching between speeds automatically.
The gear is selected automatically depending on your degree of acceleration and speed. When the switch occurs, you will notice that the motor becomes cold to help heat the motor to move more quickly.
Functionality and Usage of D1
D1 is the most powerful transmission of any vehicle, be it a manual or auto car, and is considered a low transmission. This transmission is used to drive over difficult terrains such as mud, steep hills, and much more.
This is because it will offer the engine maximum breakage on such challenging terrain. D1 is not used over speed; otherwise, you may damage your gear system or the entire engine.
Functionality and Usage of D2
It is the next gear in reflex vehicles that operates as the previous one we just mentioned. It is used to roll on steep hills and other difficult terrains such as mud and sand.
Only that it is not as powerful as the D1, but the gear offers a fast motor boost when driving in such situations.
However, it is not used for speeding, otherwise, you are lucky to lose your drive system or damage the engine as we said earlier.
Functionality and Usage of D3
Not all automated vehicles have D3; instead, you go to overdrive (OD) which is responsible for making the tires run faster than even the engine runs. This particular drive exceeds D1 and D2. It is used when you want to speed up your vehicle, especially if you want to overtake another car, it will dramatically boost your engine power to around 5500 RPM.
Note: D1 and D2 are also made as an alternate when drive (D) has an electrical or mechanical failure that prevents it from automatically locking the transmission. So you can use D1 and D2 like that of a manual car to change your gear if needed.
How to Change the Automated Transmission
Don’t forget, auto cars are not like manual ones that have a clutch pedal.
You just have the brake pedal and the accelerator which you can use your right leg to control, although we do have people who use both legs.
Follow these steps and see how you can toggle this gear above.
- Press the brake pedal and insert the key to your car and start the car.
- When the car turns on, you gently shift the transmission into Drive (D) and then release the pressure on the brake pedal slowly so that the car should start moving.
- In case you want to accelerate, simply press the accelerator a little harder, you will immediately see an increase in speed. But you need to know that speeding in auto vehicles has nothing to do with changing gears. You don’t switch gears when you’re trying to accelerate.
What if My Auto Car Does Not Have D1, D2, or D3?
There are quite a few auto cars out there that don’t have the transmission system mentioned above, especially those with Mercedes ML, Mercedes C Class, and Volkswagen Passat. What they have is + and-. The symbol +stands for upshift while the other symbol – stands for a downshift.
With upshift and downshift in your automatic car, you don’t have to push the brake pedal when you’re going very fast. You simply need to press the knob on the transmission shift selector handle and select your desired transmission.
Do We Have Any More Transmissions?
Oh yes, apart from D1–D3, there are other transmissions in an auto car and they have their unique function that they play. These transmissions include Park (P), Neutral (N) Reverse (R), And Overdrive (OD).
We’ll see how each one of them works.
Park (P)
Each time the transmission switches to P, this means that the gear is automatically locked and will limit the movement of the wheels forward or backward.
But before that, you must press the unlock button to proceed to Park. You do this to prevent damage to the gear system. Also, before removing your wrench, make sure the gear lever is made of P.
For you to shift out P, you will press the brake pedal a bit and release your foot gently from the gas pedal. Then you will find that the car will start moving.
Neutral (N)
It is just like free motion in an automatic vehicle in that the wheels are allowed to turn freely.
You may switch to neutral when you want to restart your inoperative engine or if you want to park and leave your engine idling.
Many drivers do not use neutral gear, except if they want to start their car.
Reverse (R)
Whenever you want to reverse your vehicle, you can move this gearbox in reverse.
Switching to reverse will turn your tires backward. However, you must know that it is unsafe to start your car when it is in the reverse position.
D, D1, D2, and D3 play an important role in automatic cars as described above. The next time you drive an auto car, you’ll know how to do it with the aforementioned gear lesson we had.
However, it will be preferable if you meet with an expert to teach you to drive an auto car.
This will allow you to learn more about the transmissions.