Understanding Manual Transmission Features in Automatic Cars: D Plus and Minus
It's an exciting feature in some cars to have the ability to manually shift gears within your automatic transmission. This allows drivers to have more control over their vehicles, offering a different driving experience and better performance. One of such features is the 'D plus and minus' (D and D-), which can be found in many modern cars.
What is D Plus and Minus in Automatic Transmission?
Some cars are equipped with a manual transmission function through the D plus and minus functionality. When you place your transmission in drive (D), you have the option to manually upshift and downshift by pushing the shift lever towards the - or respectively. This feature involves some understanding of your car's owner manual, as each model might have slight variations.
How to Use D Plus and Minus
In the last two cars I have owned, I pushed the shift lever to the left detent, held it there, and then momentarily pushed it forward or backward. For other cars, like the one I mentioned with paddles, I pushed the shift lever to the left and held it there while using the paddle shifters on the steering wheel for finer control.
How D Plus and Minus Affects Gear Selection
When you're in D (Drive) and you want more control, you can shift to M (Manual), and then either to D- or D for downshifting or upshifting respectively. For example, when in D, if you need to downshift to a lower gear, you would shift to D-. You might see a "3" in your instrument cluster, indicating 3rd gear.
Further downshifting with D- typically results in a "2" in your instrument cluster, indicating 2nd gear. This shift provides a higher RPM and more torque, which can be useful in steep inclines or on curvy roads. Conversely, shifting to D would upshift to the next gear, as in the case of a Volvo's Geartronic transmission where you would see a "4" or "5" on your instrument cluster for higher gears.
Modern Transmission Setups and Usage
Modern cars often come with more sophisticated transmission systems. For instance, many cars have PRNDL, or Park, Reverse, Neutral, Drive, and Low. This setup is common in cars with two forward speeds. Some cars might have PRN D21 or PRND-, which allows for more manual control over gear selection. When in Drive D, the transmission will shift to the highest gear. To force a lower gear, you tap the shifter to the - side right for each lower gear. If you need to shift back up to a higher gear, you tap it to the left.
This manual transmission feature can be particularly useful for controlling your car's speed and performance. For example, in situations where you're driving on a long downhill, you can use the lower gear for engine braking. This prevents your car from picking up too much speed and also helps the engine and transmission avoid overheating.
Conclusion
The D plus and minus feature in automatic transmissions adds a layer of engagement and control to your driving experience. It turns your normally automatic car into a 'sports-tuned' performance car that you can manually control for better handling and performance. Whether you're driving on a curvy mountain road or a steep incline, the ability to manually shift gears can help you harness the full power of your engine and transmission. So next time you're in your car, take the time to understand and use this feature - it can make a real difference in how you drive.
Note: Always consult the owner's manual before operating any manual transmission features in your automatic car, as each model may have specific instructions and limitations.