I drive an automatic, but I only use P, R, N, and D. When and why would you ever use the optional lower gears 1 and 2, and/or the overdrive?
- Shelley in Regina
Park, Reverse, Neutral and Drive are the settings most commonly used in an automatic. Could you drive for another 10 years without using the lower gears? Yes, but they are useful in certain circumstances.
Let's remember our gear basics. Gears allow you to use the power of the engine in different ways. Higher gears provide a lower RPM, with a resultant increase in economy. The lower the gear, the higher the RPM - which translates into more instant available power.
Perhaps the most important use of the lower gears on an automatic is for light engine braking when descending steep hills - not that you'll have to worry much about that in Saskatchewan.
Changing to a low gear will save your brakes from overheating and wear. A word of caution: in front-wheel-drive vehicles, this braking effect will only be applied to the front wheels, so if conditions are slippery, it could result in reduced control. If you're descending a hill in the snow or on ice, your brake pedal is the way to go.
Once you've come down that hill, you may need to get back up. Your regular Drive-setting is programmed to shift down as necessary for whatever is thrown at it. There are situations, however, when shifting into a lower gear could come in handy. For example, when you're driving up to the ski hill and it comes time to pass the bus full of snow-boarders ahead. Switching to a lower gear will provide instant response to your gas pedal, when you might otherwise wait for the transmission to shift itself.
When towing a boat or camper, selecting a lower gear can also provide extra power to prevent your vehicle from lugging as it pulls the additional load.
Now let's switch to overdrive, which is essentially an extra gear for your car. In newer vehicles, overdrive defaults to the "on" position, unless you manually disengage it (usually with a button on the gearshift lever). If your transmission has an "OD" button or position, leaving it engaged will ensure the transmission shifts into its highest gear as soon as possible. This helps improve fuel mileage, and saves wear and tear on the drive train.
A friend of mine has a Ford Escape with a six-speed automatic transmission. To alleviate the lack of throttle response when driving around town, she prefers to take the transmission out of overdrive. Her practice is echoed by the Ford Escape XLT User Manual, which advises that overdrive be switched off in the following situations: city traffic, hilly terrain, heavy loads, trailer towing and when engine braking is required.
"There are so many different configurations for automatics these days, it's always best to consult your owner's manual to clarify the manufacturer's recommendations for your car," says Scott Marshall, director of training for Young Drivers of Canada, and a judge on three seasons of the TV show Canada's Worst Driver.
The additional gears and overdrive are useful in the above circumstances, but not essential. If you're curious, why not familiarize yourself with these options in a safe environment? You could even hire a professional driving instructor for an hour if you're not comfortable.
Remember though, unless you're heading for the hills, or towing a boat to the lake, you can relax, let the wonder of automotive engineering handle your gear changes, and enjoy the drive.
Joanne Will welcomes your questions. E-mail Ask Joanne at globedrive@globeandmail.com