What is D3 Gear in Automatic Cars?

With more cars moving to automatic transmissions consumers become confused over the different gear designations. Although not every vehicle has the D3 label, some vehicles have it. How does the D3 label on an automatic car indicate what it means and how should it be used?

The D3 gear is explained and some benefits are discussed. This article will also explain how to properly use D3 on your drives.

What does D3 gear mean?

D3 uses the first three gears of the vehicle’s automatic transmission, locking it into third gear as the highest option. It is designed to give more power for certain driving conditions and provide a wider range of RPMs for each gear. 

Automatic cars usually come standard with the following gears: P (Park), R(Reverse), and D (Drive). Typical driving requires the shifter to be set in D and there’s nothing else to think about. Hydraulics make it possible for the gears to shift when the car is set in Drive. 

But, there are other options available for vehicles that have the D2 and D3 gears. There may also be the D2, 3 and 4 selections. These indicate the highest gear the car can go while driving forward. The D3 gear can only be used in third gear. However, it can also use first and second. 

It is also known as overdrive. The D (Drive) gear's function is to reduce fuel consumption and improve efficiency when driving in everyday situations. 

D3 Gear Drive Advantages

1. Reduce Brake Wear

D3 is the default setting. The car's engine will reduce its speed by itself. Because of this setup, you don’t need to use the brake pedal as often, especially when going downhill. 

While it isn’t costly to replace most brake pads, there’s no reason to unnecessarily wear them out. Consider putting your transmission in D3 if you're driving down steep roads. This will allow the engine to do the majority of the work. 

2. An Increased Throttle Response

Lower gears are better for acceleration in heavy traffic. D3 is also beneficial when traveling in the city because you don’t need higher speeds but rely more on quick throttle response. 

The car could suffer if your RPMs exceed the red line. To extend the life of your motor, it might be worth switching to Drive. 

3. More safe driving

D3 mode activated gives you greater control over your vehicle. It might be more noticeable in wet weather where your vehicle can slip. Because D3 allows you to run at lower gears, the car wheels won’t spin too fast, allowing you to gain more traction.

You will also be safer when you travel down steep inclines thanks to the engine brake function. The engine automatically keeps the vehicle reined in to ensure excessive speeds don’t become a problem. 

The Best Time to Use D3 Gear

1. Downhill travel

Truck drivers can handle steep hills. You can use engine brake to slow down the truck. 

D3 reduces the pressure on the braking system, ensuring the pads don’t overheat. The engine will maintain a constant speed by using this lower gear. The engine can be damaged if it is run at excessive RPMs. 

2. Driving uphill

D3 could also help you gain more speed as you drive uphill. You will see higher RPMs which translate to speed because D3 prevents the transmission shifting into overdrive.

As with all of the driving situations, you don’t want to overwork the transmission. You can shift into overdrive only if the vehicle is moving at a high speed. 

3. Navigation on Slippery Surfaces

It’s easy to lose traction when traveling on slippery roads. D3 prevents your car from sliding between gears and helps you maintain control.

You are less likely to be stuck in poor weather conditions if your transmission can't shift above third gear. You can lock it so that the wheels have enough traction to move out of poor conditions. 

4. Rapid Acceleration

If the transmission shifts too soon, it’s hard to gain the acceleration needed to pull out into heavy traffic. You might push down on the gas pedal, but the car barely feels like it’s gaining momentum.

When you put the vehicle in D3, it can’t shift into the higher gears. The RPMs will rise quicker, which allows you to accelerate faster. 

5. Be prepared to carry heavy loads

It’s important to watch the vehicle speed when you haul cargo or tow a trailer. However, you don’t want to ride the brakes because this causes them to overheat and fade.

With D3 gear, speed is limited to what’s available in the third range. This is usually enough speed to drive regularly, and gives you greater control if you're carrying a lot of weight. 

How to use D3 gear in an automatic car

These are the steps that you need to take to get D3 working in your car.

Drive can be used to start the vehicle. You can start the vehicle using the lowest available gear. 

To limit the speed of the transmission, set the gearshifter to D3 While driving, you can switch from Drive to D3. Sometimes you can simply turn off the overdrive to put your car into lower gears. Other times you might see the D3 marking at the shifter. 

If the RPMs get too high, it’s essential to put the transmission back into Drive. You don’t want to cause unnecessary wear on the transmission or engine.