L and 2 in Automatic

[riced]

Hey guys,
I'm just curious, I've driven an automatic for 3 years and recently learned to drive a manual for my new car.
What I'm curious about is what is the "L" and "2" for in an automatic transmission? Are you required to shift to L when stopped and gradually shift to 2 and then to D?
Or is it just nothing? what are the pros and cons of it if any?
thanks

[Unknown303]

You can pretend to drive a standard by switching between those gears. Might not be the greatest for your car however.

[Foz]

Automatic tranny.. no reason to switch gears.

You could switch gears pending on the condition. i.e if your car has no hp to go up a steep hill, down shift it to 2.

Same goes with traction on ice to get the car moving.

[94SSEi]

90% of the autos out there will shift on their own, even if you have it in L, they won't let you blow the motor.

[GTS Jeff]

L is 1st gear, 2 is 2nd gear...the L stands for Leni Riefenstahl.

[GrantC]

Originally posted by Foz
Automatic tranny.. no reason to switch gears.

You could switch gears pending on the condition. i.e if your car has no hp to go up a steep hill, down shift it to 2.


Actually it's the other way around. If you're trying to go up a hill the car will automatically down-shift to have enough torque.

But if you're driving *down* a hill and don't want to just use your brakes to hold you back (ie. if it's a long hill) you can move the selector to L or 2 and let off the gas and the engine will hold you back. Same as in a *real* car (Manual :devil: )

[Howl]

If you don't know that after three years, i don't think you should be even allowed to drive a car

[frostyda9]

Originally posted by GrantC


Actually it's the other way around. If you're trying to go up a hill the car will automatically down-shift to have enough torque.



It will downshift, but as you gain speed it will once again upshift. Locking it in 2 will prevent transmission hunting.
I think that's what he was getting at.

[Unknown303]

In my car which is an auto if you put it into 1 or 2 it holds that gear no matter what, i can get past 60km/h in first if i really wanted to but then my car would probably catch on fire. But if your trying to fake having a standard those first two (1 and 2) can be used as first and second would in a manual, only thing is once you put it into drive to take 3rd it pretty much does what it wants unless you know how your car handles gears and can predict its shift points.

Man i wish i had a standard.

[Neil4Speed]

The concept of shifting using the L,2,3 selectors is really not good for your transmission, and it is advised that you do it only in the right circumstances (as outlined above).

[Goblin]

wtf is L?

I drive a stick, but I have seen a lot of manuals (ie. work vehicles), and it goes

D, 2, 3,

[frostyda9]

L is "Low"

[barbarian]

Some CVT transmissions only have L and D.