Automatic Gears Help

Pion SG · 2005-08-10T23:05:16+00:00

by doing so, u need to send the gearbox for overhaul faster...

Pion SG

I have an automatic car, the gears are each labelled P, R, N, D3, S3, L3 in that order. I usually use D3 for normal driving. My car went uphill before, in gear D3 at about 2500rpm at a speed of around 40-45km/h which I think cause quite a strain on the engine. Is there a gear I should use for uphill driving? Can anyone tell me what do I use gears S3, L3 for? I heard certain gears should be used when going uphill, but Im not too sure.

carmour SG

In Singapore, can go on “D” all the way. Should not be a problem.

Pion SG

er..so in what other conditions can I use the other gears? I feel waste leh dont use the gears...feel like not using the car's potential Sad

AF1 SG

haha.. By switching gears in an automatic transmission frequently, you will tend to wear the transmission out at a faster rate so do not have the impression that by not touching the gears means not using the car's potential. The underlying principle of an automatic transmission is basically to make gear changes hands free. If you like changing gears and shifting, then you probably are better off with a manual transmission don't you think so? Laughing

tailslide SG

how true.......... Laughing

IMO, if u decided to buy auto in the first place, u should not be thinking of reaping any "potential" from the car. juz select "D", step on it to go faster, tap brakes to slow down can liao wat......... Rolling Eyes

Theatre Of Dreams SG

what’s this car only 3 auto gears?

skywalker73 SG

Unless you go genting... when coming down better select the low gear for engine braking.. else your brakes will go.. Twisted Evil

dryver SG

what car are you driving, may i ask?

dryver SG

usually the L3 is used for when you are going downhill and you want to use engine braking to control the car's speed, instead of relying on the brakes.
i dunno what s3 is for as it is not commonly found on other autoboxes i've seen.

Pion SG

A Mazda 3

Pion SG

Oh, thanks. My parents drove an auto car, honda accord with the gears labelled D1, D2, D3. They normally use D1 for city driving...not much for the other gears.

Pion SG

Yes, a manual car would be much suitable. But I wonder what can I use and under what circumstances should I use those gears. I dont think the manufacturer intend for me to use one gear all the way through my driving life. There has to be a reason and purpose the other gears are there for Sad

Pion SG

You got a point. But Im not sure which one is the 'low' gear. I normally just let the car momentum n gravity do its work Very Happy

AF1 SG

D1? Are you sure? I think you meant D not D1 D1's gotta be crazy. Usually the shift gate pattern goes like this P R N D D3 D2 D1. Power for engine braking decreases from D1 to D, meaning that D1 has the best engine braking power and D, the worst. Basically what it means is D1 limits transmission until gear 1 and similar for D2 and D3 which limits transmission until gear 2 and 3 respectively.

joey2003 SG

If I'm not wrong, when you say D3, S3, L3, then D stands for Drive, S = Sports and L = Low gear mode...

Use the L when going downslope for more effective engine braking etc,

and if S = Sports, I think the gear changes will be delayed... i.e. the car will drag on a gear longer (maybe to 4000~5000RPM before changing)

and use D for normal driving...

I'm driving a manual car...and yes...it's great to change gears and get power when you need it etc..but the main problem is stuck in traffic jam, or when you are getting out of a spiral underground car park and there is a long queue. Then it's testing of your handbrake skills which you "love" so much during L-plate days

dryver SG

maybe you can read your owner's manual and clarify for us all here??? Very Happy

Pion SG

That reminds me..the dealer didnt give me one. I should contact Mazda themselves.

dewsd SG

You should contact Mazda to get hold of the manual.
I won't buy any 2nd hand car that do not have the manual.
Last time, when I bought my old car, I made the dealer go beg, borrow or steal the manual. But still he managed to get it.

you'll never know when you need some information on your car.
Moreover it's new (i guess), you should get from them.

You won't buy a brand new handphone without the manual, box, etc, right?

dewsd SG

Altis84 SG

will it spoil the gear if i dun depress the foot brake fully before changing gears? Cos i have a habit of changing to reverse gear before the car comes to a complete stop during parking… by depressing the foot brake fully… the car will stop completely.