What is the Use of the "L" Gear position ?. What happens when You shift to "L" position ? My AT small car Suzuki Zen with Aisin AT does not have enough power moving forward in first gear in "D" but moves well when the gear shift lever is put to "L " .What could be the reason ?
2006-07-01 16:05:41 · 4 answers · asked by binil99711 1 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
The "L" is for low gear power pulling. Like when you are trying to use your vehicle to get up a steep mountain, or towing a heavy trailer behind you. But it has its limitations. It was designed to only work well up to 10 miles an hour for L1, 20 miles per hour in L2, and 30 miles an hour for L3. I do not recommend starting from a dead stop in L2 or L3, as this is very hard on your transmission.
Also driving at speeds above those recommended for L1 to L3 can burn up your clutch packs. For instance, driving on the interstate in any L gear will guarantee you will need a transmission overhaul. My Father has been in that business for over 36 years, and I have learned much from him on these.
The "D" will automatically cycle your car through the gears in the order they should be accessed (ie first, second, third, fourth, etc. as designed per your type of transmission)
The only time I ever use the "L" gears is to control the speed of my car in icy situations. They act as "brakes" for slowing you down over long areas, such as a freeway exit ramp that is ice covered. This allows you to slow down without locking up your brakes and spinning out of control.
I hope this helps!
2006-07-01 16:22:56 · answer #1 · answered by solpredator 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
In a typical so called 5 speed transmission, Reverse is one speed, and is really 1st or L, but operating in the opposite direction. This is the lowest ratio and gives the greatest torque transfer. 2nd is a mid range gear that also doubles as passing gear when in higher road speed. D is the normal drive gear ratio and may even have a so called over drive mode at cruse speed. Starting out in D mode the transmission is really in L but has a predetermined shift point where it goes in to 2nd and again at the next point, goes in to drive. If you are starting out with an under powered small car or under load (in mud or snow for example) you shift in to L until you get going fast enough to go ahead and shift in to D. The only time you need to use 2nd is in stopping. You should ALWAYS down shift from D to 2nd when coming off a freeway, for example, and use the engine compression to slow you to near a stop and then your brakes only at the last min. Many front disc breaks are replaced prematurely do to the fact that most people do not know how to drive a car with an auto transmission in it. Most all owner manuals cover the reasons for down shifting. The emergency down shift is to avoid an accident or what ever, in that case you shift all the way down from D to L.
2006-07-01 16:38:11 · answer #2 · answered by Dusty 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
D= High range-- this gear must be an Over Drive for speeds of 55 plus to get better gas mileage
L=Low Range--for starting out and street ,City driving---move the shifter into drive when you get up to speed
2006-07-01 16:09:45 · answer #3 · answered by Vulcan 1 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
the gear is the same the only difference is when you have it in "L" it won't shift out of first gear. When you have it in "D" it will shift on it's own out of first gear when needed. so technically it is the same gear, the only difference is that it will stay in that gear regardless of RPM until you shift. you and your transmission control modual probably just have different shift points.
2006-07-01 16:13:28 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋