Tech & Auto
Using The Low Gear In An Automatic Car: How And When You Should
By DANIEL TROCK
Although the “Drive” gear of automatic transmissions is the basic way to get your car moving forward, some vehicles have additional settings, such as “L” for “low gear.”
Also displayed as “1” and “2,” this setting forces your transmission to stay in the lower settings, slowing your car by reducing the fuel flow into your engine.
The setting also provides your car with more torque. This extra power is great for towing a heavy load, climbing or descending steep hills, and driving through dangerous weather.
If you want to switch into “L” or “1” while driving, ease off the gas pedal to a slow speed, shift the selector to the side with the “L,” and it will activate automatically.