![]() As an example, the one for a 1999 Isuzu Amigo with the shift sequence PRND32L states that the L position “… may be selected for maximum braking down severe grades.” It goes on to say it’s “possible to move the lever into 1st gear at any speed. How does this apply to your car? For any vehicle owner, the best source of information is the owner’s manual. However, Low could also be useful when climbing steep hills or powering through sand or deep snow, because shifting to a higher gear (which the transmission might otherwise want to do) could tax the engine, causing you to slow down and lose precious momentum. ![]() In the early days of automatics, this was likely the primary purpose of the Low position. That allows for more engine braking - meaning the effort needed to spin the engine helps slow the car down rather than using the brakes (which can cause them to heat up and fade). Low, which prioritizes use of the transmission’s lower gears, can be valuable when descending steep hills, as it keeps the engine spinning faster despite not having your foot on the gas. But importantly, lower gears can also be used for slowing down. This applies regardless of how many gears the transmission has. Generally speaking, lower gears are there for greater power delivery when accelerating or climbing hills, while higher gears are there for better fuel economy, lower noise and less engine wear at higher speeds. In Drive, the transmission would typically start off in 1st (Low) gear, then shift up automatically to a higher gear or gears as speed climbed.īut there were times when selecting Low would be beneficial. As with their counterparts today, drivers of early cars with an automatic usually just selected “D” for “Drive” when wanting to go forward and then simply left it there. It was a staple position in early cars with automatic transmissions (which date from the 1940s), and it had some practical purposes back when brakes weren’t as good, engines weren’t as powerful and automatic transmissions weren’t as smart. Related: Is Your Check-Engine Light On? 5 of the Most Common Causes It stands for “Low,” which typically means 1st gear but can sometimes mean the lower gears. If you’re like most drivers nowadays, you’ve never even used it - but that doesn’t mean the lonely “L” is completely without its uses. It’s sitting there in your car’s shift quadrant, holding down the last position. ![]()
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