in an automatic transmission gear, when is "L" and "2" used?

Answer 1

for steep downhill to stop the gearbox changing up through the gears, this lets you use engine braking

Answer 2

You use L when you are either going up or down a steep hill usually when you are towing something large and you dont want to change up a gear. It effectively holds the gearbox in 1st gear

You use 2 for the same reason. Because 2 is a higher gear you engine wont race as much so it is less stressful for the engine if the gradient isnt that steep. Selecting 2 means that the gearbox wont go above 2 but it will still be able to change down to 1 or "L"

You might also use these settings on snow or ice where you want to retain control of the gears rather than letting the auto box do it for you

modern auto boxes dont have these settings

Answer 3

Automatic transmissions have selector positions that allow the driver to limit the maximum ratio that the transmission may engage. On older transmissions, this was accomplished by a mechanical lockout in the transmission valve body preventing an upshift until the lockout was disengaged; on computer- controlled transmissions, the same effect is accomplished electronically. The transmission can still upshift and downshift automatically between the remaining ratios. Some transmissions will still upshift automatically into the higher ratio if the engine reaches its maximum permissible speed in the selected range. Some automatics, particularly those fitted to larger capacity or high torque engines, either when '2' is manually selected or by engaging a "winter mode", will start off in second gear instead of first, and then not shift into a higher gear until returned to D. This is done to reduce torque multiplication when proceeding forward from a standstill in conditions where traction was limited - on snow or ice covered roads for example.

Answer 4

The most important time to use them is going down VERY steep hills as the car will use engine braking to slow you down and not keep changing up and run away especially when towing a caravan or trailer they are also good going slow in snow as 2 will stop the car changing up and down when the wheels spin a little bit and stop the strain on the transmission and engine

Answer 5

The above answers are correct but I've been driving automatic transmission cars for years and i can honestly say I have never had the need to use the fixed ratio settings, the gearbox does the job without fuss...forget about them

Answer 6

As automatics have NO engine breaking, use the marked gears for engine breaking, for example down hills. The L is the same. (Low Gear).
Use the gears occasionally to save on brake wear and when in the snow.

Answer 7

When you are climbing a mountain or during a steep descent and feel that you lack power. It will change the gear ratio so your car will go slower but able to climb steeper accents.
Try L first if you need it and if that doesn't seem enough switch to 2

Answer 8

L makes the box use only 1st and 2nd for low speed manoeuvring.
2 keep the box in only 2nd for pulling away when there's little traction.

Answer 9

Only if you are climbing a steep hill, or going through mud or snow.

Answer 10

"l"when it wont move.i:e. steep hill or forget "2"as a gimmick