Automatic Gears Help
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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.
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In Singapore, can go on "D" all the way. Should not be a problem.
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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
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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?Originally posted by Pion: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 
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how true..........Originally posted by AF1: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?
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.........
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what's this car only 3 auto gears?
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Unless you go genting... when coming down better select the low gear for engine braking.. else your brakes will go..
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what car are you driving, may i ask?Originally posted by Pion: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. -
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.Originally posted by Pion: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.
i dunno what s3 is for as it is not commonly found on other autoboxes i've seen. -
A Mazda 3Originally posted by dryver:what car are you driving, may i ask? -
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.Originally posted by dryver: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. -
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 forOriginally posted by AF1: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? -
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 workOriginally posted by skywalker73:Unless you go genting... when coming down better select the low gear for engine braking.. else your brakes will go.. 
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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.Originally posted by Pion: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. -
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 -
maybe you can read your owner's manual and clarify for us all here???
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That reminds me..the dealer didnt give me one. I should contact Mazda themselves.Originally posted by dryver:maybe you can read your owner's manual and clarify for us all here??? -
You should contact Mazda to get hold of the manual.Originally posted by Pion:That reminds me..the dealer didnt give me one. I should contact Mazda themselves.
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? -
You should contact Mazda to get hold of the manual.Originally posted by Pion:That reminds me..the dealer didnt give me one. I should contact Mazda themselves.
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? -
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.
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by doing so, u need to send the gearbox for overhaul faster...Originally posted by Altis84: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.
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wah so bad ah... me step near to full... the gears can be changed without much force leh
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just put into drive - D and goOriginally posted by Pion: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. -
if u can afford to overhaul ur gearbox every now and then, u can jolly well change gear anytime u want. like dat travel at 100 km/hr tap brakes and change to reverse also can wat.........Originally posted by Altis84:wah so bad ah... me step near to full... the gears can be changed without much force leh