Driving an automatic car is more accessible than a manual car.
However, some are not familiar with the transmission system from D to D3. While on the other hand, some 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.
If you want to know the functions and how to use these gear systems, you must 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.
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Functionality and Usage of D
This particular 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.
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Functionality and Usage of D1
D1 is the most potent transmission of any vehicle, be it a manual or auto car, and is considered a low transmission. This transmission drives over rugged terrains like mud, steep hills, etc.
This 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.
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Functionality and Usage of D2
The following gear in reflex vehicles operates as we mentioned previously. It is used to roll on steep hills and other challenging terrains like mud and sand.
It is not as potent as the D1, but the gear offers a fast motor boost when driving in such situations.
However, it is not used for speeding. Otherwise, as we said earlier, you are lucky to lose your drive system or damage the engine.
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Functionality and Usage of D3
Not all automated vehicles have D3; instead, you go to overdrive (OD), making the tires run faster than the engine runs. This particular drive exceeds D1 and D2.
It speeds 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 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 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 ins, insert the key into 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.
- If you want to accelerate, press the accelerator a little more complicated, and 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?
Many auto cars 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 an upshift, while the other 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 must 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 a 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.
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Park (P)
Each time the transmission switches to P, 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, ensure the gear lever is made of P.
To shift out P, you will press the brake pedal a bit and gently release your foot from the gas pedal. Then you will find that the car will start moving.
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Neutral (N)
It is just like free motion in an automatic vehicle in that the wheels can 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.
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Reverse (R)
You can move this gearbox in reverse whenever you want to reverse your vehicle.
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 are essential in automatic cars, as described above. The next time you drive an auto car, you’ll know how to do it with the gear above the lesson we had.
However, meeting with an expert to teach you to drive an auto car will be preferable.
This will allow you to learn more about the transmissions.