I have always wondered what the signs 'P','R','N','D','2','L' on automatic gear transmission systems represent and decided to google it. And so I share this info hoping it may be of help to someone somewhere.

So here we go:

• P (PARK) - the gear selector should be in this position when the car is parked as it typically locks the transmission so that the car cannot move. In conjunction with this, the parking brake (hand brake) may also be applied. On most cars, the engine cannot be started unless the lever is in this (or 'N') position.

• R (REVERSE) - selecting this position allows the vehicle to be driven in the reverse (backwards) direction.

• N (NEUTRAL) - in this position, the engine is disconnected from the drive train (gears) and the vehicle will not be propelled in either direction when the gas (accelerator) pedal is pressed. The wheels are not locked and the vehicle will be able to roll downhill if the brake pedal is not pressed.

• D (DRIVE) - this is the position that is typically used when the vehicle is being driven. As the vehicle increases (or decreases) in speed, the automatic gear box will select the correct gear for both speed and road conditions.

• 2 (GEAR 2) - typically, automatic gear boxes have 3 of 4 forward gears, so some vehicles may have both 2 and 3 marked on the hear selector. By using this position, the driver 'locks' the transmission in a lower gear so that the engine will run with increased revolutions. This is useful when rapid acceleration is desired. It should be noted that maintaining high revolutions in lower gears will increase the fuel consumption of the vehicle and also the stresses on the vehicle and passengers. It should therefore be used for short periods only.

• L (LOW) - (may be indicated by '1') this is the lowest gear (or 1st gear) available. This position is useful when the vehicle needs to negotiate difficult terrain (such as a steep incline with a poor surface). For downward slopes, the LOW gear provides additional braking through the engine.

• OD (OVERDRIVE) - for vehicles fitted with this option, an extra gear is provided that has a lower ratio than the normal top gear. The power output delivered by this gear is low in comparison to the normal gears and is used for high speed cruising (on interstates / motorways etc). Engine revolutions are reduced, as are noise levels. Fuel consumption is improved

Good

Some people still will be fearing to drive car

Mind my english

good one

Nice!

It would amaze you that some 'drivers' don't know this.

Learner gear

Nice

copied and pasted

nice one OP

B

Ok

Really?

D=drive
R=revise
P=park
N=neutral
2=it simply means the gear will not be more than gear 2, that means it will not enter gear 3 or 4


Na where I know reach be dat oh.... Beside I never drive car with OD oh...... Wish kind motor dey get dat type?

Please explain how manual gear works too.

Wetin be this


Na Bulldozer and excavator I de drive go church

While I agree this information is very educative, I have always wondered how mods choose topics that should make front page.
I am a learner on nairaland but I have seen comments from users who wonder why snakes and stuff like that make FP while matters of importance miss front page.
Pls Seun and moderators I am not against you but I will love to be educated on how threads make FP so that myself and the likes of me Dont ask such questions anymore.

Inform me wenever u'v gear lessons on "jets"..

NaijaFutbol:
Learner gear

says who

Truth is OP this should be basic knowledge for any fair driver.

What i would like to know is what does D3 stand for in some auto transmissions?

GTA

nice piece

lol,not to sound cruel but op is wasting his time,even people wey never get ride done know all these things

AceLove:
I have always wondered what the signs 'P','R','N','D','2','L' on automatic gear transmission systems represent and decided to google it. And so I share this info hoping it may be of help to someone somewhere.

So here we go:

• P (PARK) - the gear selector should be in this position when the car is parked as it typically locks the transmission so that the car cannot move. In conjunction with this, the parking brake (hand brake) may also be applied. On most cars, the engine cannot be started unless the lever is in this (or 'N') position.

• R (REVERSE) - selecting this position allows the vehicle to be driven in the reverse (backwards) direction.

• N (NEUTRAL) - in this position, the engine is disconnected from the drive train (gears) and the vehicle will not be propelled in either direction when the gas (accelerator) pedal is pressed. The wheels are not locked and the vehicle will be able to roll downhill if the brake pedal is not pressed.

• D (DRIVE) - this is the position that is typically used when the vehicle is being driven. As the vehicle increases (or decreases) in speed, the automatic gear box will select the correct gear for both speed and road conditions.

• 2 (GEAR 2) - typically, automatic gear boxes have 3 of 4 forward gears, so some vehicles may have both 2 and 3 marked on the hear selector. By using this position, the driver 'locks' the transmission in a lower gear so that the engine will run with increased revolutions. This is useful when rapid acceleration is desired. It should be noted that maintaining high revolutions in lower gears will increase the fuel consumption of the vehicle and also the stresses on the vehicle and passengers. It should therefore be used for short periods only.

• L (LOW) - (may be indicated by '1') this is the lowest gear (or 1st gear) available. This position is useful when the vehicle needs to negotiate difficult terrain (such as a steep incline with a poor surface). For downward slopes, the LOW gear provides additional braking through the engine.

• OD (OVERDRIVE) - for vehicles fitted with this option, an extra gear is provided that has a lower ratio than the normal top gear. The power output delivered by this gear is low in comparison to the normal gears and is used for high speed cruising (on interstates / motorways etc). Engine revolutions are reduced, as are noise levels. Fuel consumption is improved

pls Mr researcher, help with dis, OANDO & BUA

K

Na only P,R and D i de use ooo. I use N ocassionally when the car needs a little push. All these L,2 and O/D no be for me oooo

my own is just to set it on D and move until i find somewhere to park (P) and then pull up the handbrakes...

which position can one shift a handbrake to?

Etizz:
D=drive
R=revise
P=park
N=neutral
2=it simply means the gear will not be more than gear 2, that means it will not enter gear 3 or 4


Na where I know reach be dat oh.... Beside I never drive car with OD oh...... Wish kind motor dey get dat type?

v6 cars for higher speed....(it's usually marked on O/D on your dashboard) but na your fuel go suffer am

Thanks op. I just got a car n Av never used the L or 2.. Am always on D when driving. Thanks for the insight will put this into practice.

Nice one OP. Even with my many years of experience find dis educative.