If you have recently learned to drive a car, congratulations! However, while driving, you might have come across the term P-R-N-D-L on the transmission stick. Although the L is not precisely available on all cars, most cars only have PRND, and some cars also have S and M. This question is often seen among people who have started getting into cars and want to know everything related to it. Here’s all the information you need about P-R-N-D-L meaning on a car’s automatic transmission.
A Car’s Automatic Transmission Overview
Automatic transmissions, unlike manual or “stick shift” transmissions, don’t require the driver to manually switch gears. Instead, automatic transmissions use sensors to detect when a gear change is needed. This process is automatically executed, temporarily disconnecting the transmission from the engine and selecting a new gear, often facilitated by a torque converter.
Cars equipped with automatic transmissions eliminate the need for a clutch pedal since drivers can simply select Drive or another mode, letting the automatic transmission handle subsequent gear changes.
These transmissions have been in existence for over a century, gaining mass production with General Motors’ Hydramatic transmission in the late 1930s. Today, automatic transmissions have become the standard in many parts of the world, especially in the United States, where only 2.5% of cars sold are equipped with manual transmissions. However, there are still some sports cars available in 2024 that offer manual transmission.
Notably, not all modern cars use a traditional gear lever. Some vehicles, like the Chrysler Pacifica, feature a rotary dial or electronic gear selectors with buttons or switches for Drive, Reverse, Neutral, or Park. For information, the rotary dial is most often seen in Land Rover and Jaguar vehicles. If you often get confused between Land Rover and Range Rover, check out our guide.
Additionally, there are various types of automatic transmissions, including continuously variable transmissions (CVT), dual-clutch transmissions, and Tiptronic transmissions. Each functions differently — a CVT uses pulleys instead of fixed gears, while a Tiptronic allows manual shifting — but they all enable automatic gear changes in the vehicles they come installed with.
P-R-N-D-L Overview
First things first, let’s see what P-R-N-D-L stands for:
- P = Park
- R = Reverse
- N = Neutral
- D = Drive
- L = L
In newer cars, you can also notice S and M on the transmission and here is what they mean:
- S = Sports
- M = Manual
Now, let’s discuss in detail what they do in a car:
P = Park
This position is used when the vehicle is stationary, and the engine is off. It engages a mechanism called the parking pawl, a small metal pin that prevents the vehicle from rolling. Always use Park when you turn off the engine and intend to keep the car stationary.
R = Reverse
When you need to move the car backward, shift to Reverse. This is used when backing out of parking spaces, driveways, or any situation where the car needs to go in the opposite direction. Always check your surroundings and use your mirrors when in reverse.
N = Neutral
Neutral disengages the engine from the transmission. It’s used when the car is stationary and you need to coast or be pushed, for instance, when your vehicle is being towed. However, avoid shifting to Neutral while driving, as it removes engine braking, making it harder to control the vehicle.
D = Drive
The drive is the default position for regular forward driving. It engages the transmission to move the car forward. As you accelerate, the transmission will automatically shift through the gears. Use Drive for normal driving conditions.
L = Low
Low or Low Gear is used when you need more engine braking or want to limit the transmission to lower gears. It is beneficial when descending steep hills to control speed. Also, it is not typically used for regular driving but can be useful in specific situations. Another place where L is specifically used is when climbing hills where you need a lot of torque.
S = Sports
This mode is designed to enhance the performance and agility of the vehicle. When you shift into Sports mode, the transmission system may change its shift points, keeping the engine in a higher RPM (Revolution Per Minute) range. This can result in more immediate throttle response and a sportier driving experience.
M = Manual
Manual mode allows the driver to manually control the gears, similar to a traditional manual transmission, but without a clutch pedal. This is often achieved through paddle shifters behind the steering wheel or by moving the gear selector into the Manual position. This mode is also available on cars that offer paddle shifters.
