Most automatic transmissions use a one-way clutch to hold reactionary members for the low gears in drive. When you let off the gas and coast (in drive mind you) the one-way clutch overruns so there is no engine braking.
When you select 1 or 2, a band engages instead of a one-way clutch. Now engine braking will stop you from coasting. It's useful when you're going downhill in bad weather or with a lot of cargo.
Hello
Automatics normally have
Park
Reverse
Neutral
Drive
4
3
2
1
This shows a car with 4 forward speed 4 being replaced with the D
They always start from 1st and change up 2nd,3rd and 4th
If you select a number you are telling the car not to go above that gear.
On a steep hill your car may keep changing from 3rd to 4th to 3rd to 4th to 3rd to stop this when it is in 3rd select 3 and you will be able to rev higher in that gear.
You may have a "S" button (Normally on top of the gear selector) this is Speed and when used stops the car changing up at the normal 2,500 RPM. It will then change up at 4,500 RPM.
If you have a Winter or Snow Flake button (Normally at the base of the gear selector) This tells the car to start driving in 2nd gear
Andy C
2 means the 2nd gear. When you put it in 2. I simply means the transmission will never go to a higher gear than number
Like the other commentor said, this is useful when going on long downhills so you use the engine to slow down and not burn up your brakes.
think about it this way. the selector states the highest gear the trans will shift into. 2 means that it will start in fist and then shift to second. in some transmissions, the line pressure is adjusted up a bit for stronger clutch applications. that gear can be used in a towing situation or on hills. either way, it can really help.
Second gear might also be used in climbing a steep hill to keep the transmission from "hunting" or constantly shifting gears.
Second gear on a automatic transmission would only be used if driving down hill on a fairly severe decline. Instances of such are fairly rare, simply slap it in drive and go.
Lower gear for traveling up hill or fast take offs,
It is used when towing a caravan or similar on steep hills.
What is it for ? And how do you use it?
