When do I use a lower gear in an automatic car?

Question

I know there is drive, but there is 2 and 1. When do I use those gears? Can I change to them and from them while the car is moving or do I need to stop then shift to and from?

Answer 1

With an automatic transmission, you can change forward gears at any time - while parked or while underway with the car moving. Just don't put it into or take it out of reverse until you have stopped.

You can use the 2nd gear while going down a steep downgrade to save your brakes from overheating. I would not use 1st gear downhill unless you must drive very slowly (< 25 mph.)

Going downhill in a low gear lets you use the engine as a brake itself. The engine is throttled back to idle, fuel flow to the engine is cut back, and the car's momentum applies power to the wheels, transmission and crankshaft, letting the pistons work like air pumps to compress air and slow the entire car with occasional use of wheel brakes. It's a good technique to learn how to use.

Answer 2

Automatic Car Gears

Answer 3

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RE:
When do I use a lower gear in an automatic car?
I know there is drive, but there is 2 and 1. When do I use those gears? Can I change to them and from them while the car is moving or do I need to stop then shift to and from?

Answer 4

What gear while towing light trailer up and down grade

Answer 5

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of course your mother use of low gears, going up a hill are no problem. Your problem seems to be your step-father & your mother, as my children grew such, please believe me, 10 years later, all my 5 kids still love me, the father. They have problems today, as she lives 5 states away. luv ser

Answer 6

You will most likely never use 1st or 2nd gear on your automatic. But if you need to go up a severely steep hill--especially if you are towing something, 1st and 2nd come in handy.

Also, you can use these gears to slow your car down when coming down a mountain. By using the lower gears you give our brakes a rest and avoid them heating up.

So as you see, you aren't going to need to use these gears too often.

Answer 7

when towing or when going down slopes. basically when going down a slope if you have to ride your brakes then shift down to second. you should be able to take your foot off the brake and just coast. its save money for gas and all that braking wears your brakes and rotors out morer quickly and if a long slope then it could cause a brake failure, particulaitly when towing. you just shift on the fly. you do not stop and you do not use the clutch since you do not have a clutch peddal that one is easy.

Answer 8

for going down long steep hills without overheating your brakes. yes, you can do it on the fly.

p.s. what Secret Keeper is talking about is totally unneccesary, unless there is something wrong with the programming of your transmission control. You can do the exact same thing by leaving it in D and pushing down harder on the gas pedal. This will cause higher revs before shifting.

Answer 9

I don't usually use them, unless I am trying to get a quick jump at a red light. You are basically shifting manually. As long as you start off at 1st, you don't need to be stopped. I wouldn't recommend it if you don't know what you are doing. At a light, I usually drop it to first. When the light turns green apply the gas and shift up to the next gear when you reach the top of the first.