Many drivers opt for automatic transmission, whether for a highway trip or an everyday commute. The state-of-the-art, easy-to-use technology makes driving even more convenient.
Driving an automatic car requires excellent knowledge of the vehicle and the road. A driver has to keep his hands on the steering wheel and eyes on the road at all times.
However, do you know when to use other modes such as D3 while driving, other than the standard P, R, N, and D modes?
This article discusses the meaning of D3 in a car, how it’s used, its advantages, and when to use it in different road conditions.
What Does D3 Mean In A Car?
It helps the car accelerate and maintain speed better than normal Modes and lets you ride faster than average speed.
The D3 Mode In Automatic Cars Explained
D3 engages the third gear and locks it, so while you are driving, the gears will not shift automatically.
This mode can be helpful when used correctly in certain situations, such as during a downhill road.
It works with anti-lock braking. The ABS/EBS braking system is a self-braking system designed to reduce the driver’s potential to be involved in an accident.
It works by detecting the slip of the vehicle’s wheels and then applying the anti-lock brakes.
That way, your car slows down more quickly without skidding or sliding. When you’re done braking, the computer turns the amount of fuel back to normal.
The correct way to engage the D3 mode is to start the car and let it pick up speed. Around 30-40 km/h speed is ideal for shifting into D3. You will have to press the button on the gear for 3 seconds to put in the third gear.
If you want to slow down, you’ll have to change to the D-Drive gear before applying the breaks.
When Should You Use The D3 Mode In Automatic Cars?
The D3 mode in automatic cars can be used in three ways; in an uphill road, downhill road, and during city driving to speeding up on busy roads.
When Driving Downhill
D3 mode is used when the car is driving on a downhill road. The D3 mode helps the vehicle to increase its braking power. The D3 mode can be activated by pressing the D button for three seconds.
When driving in the mountains, the general rule of thumb is to gear down when going downhill and gear up when going uphill.
So, if you’re going down a steep and narrow road, D3 gear would be ideal. This is because the speed at which your vehicle is traveling will be much faster than on a standard straight road, so you should gear down to match that speed.
This is because it isn’t just enough to gear down – your engine must also be able to cope with this speed. If it can’t, you will feel like the car is flying, and you may lose control of the vehicle.
When Driving Up A Slope
Using the D2 mode will keep your transmission in high gear, and you will not have to shift as often. This can help you save on gas.
On the other hand, using the D3 mode will help you accelerate faster, which can be helpful on a long uphill slope road when you need to speed up immediately.
The D3 mode is an exciting concept. It lets you use an automatic car like a manual transmission to accelerate faster on an uphill slope without stepping on too much gas.
It relies on the fact that when you are not in the D3 mode, you can rev the engine way more than what it should be when the clutch is engaged.
This results in a lot of power transferred to the wheels, and the acceleration is much better than usual.
Driving a car on an uphill slope, the faster you go, the slower your speedometer will read. That’s because your car has to work harder to move more quickly on an upward slope, so it would show less speed than it would on flat ground.
This happens because of the centrifugal force acting on your car. The steeper the slope is, the more powerful this force becomes.
It’s also worth noting that going uphill will increase your speed reading even when moving at the same speed as you would on an equal downhill slope.
City Driving
The D mode is for driving on the highway; the D3 mode is for driving in the city. This mode is specially designed for stop-and-go traffic, enabling smooth acceleration and braking in stop-and-go conditions.
Most experts recommend using D3 during rush hour traffic in urban areas, during which time people tend to be trying to speed through traffic jams.
When your vehicle enters a city, you can press the D3 button to activate this mode, which will help you drive through congested traffic.
What Are Some Of The Benefits Of Driving In D3 Mode In Automatic Cars?
1. Energy Efficient And Economical
Driving a car in D3 Mode is the most energy-efficient and economical way to drive your vehicle.
D3 mode is an automatic car setting that allows manual input when necessary. For example, if an obstacle blocks your path and you want to turn around, you can use D3 to turn without pressing the accelerator.
This prevents unnecessary strain on the engine and keeps your energy consumption down.
It’ll also help prevent your brake pads from wearing out fast. You will most likely break too often and often unnecessarily when driving downhill. Using D3 in this way, you get to save up on maintenance costs.
2. You’ll Be In Better Control Of The Car.
When you engage in the D3 mode, your car engages the locking mechanism without stepping on the brakes. This way, you get to speed up safely since you better control the vehicle.
It’s also the best way to ensure you are always on the right path, especially during heavy weather conditions such as rains and storms.
3. Great Vehicular Throttle Response
The use of D3 Mode engages the third gear, and the result is higher RPM gained at very low speeds. This is a good feature for city driving, but you will have to use the brakes when slowing down.
The system automatically engages the first gear when the vehicle comes to a complete stop. This helps in saving fuel and also reducing wear and tear.
Other modes in automatic cars
There are other modes: S-Sport mode, L-Low gear, and the D2, the second gear.
The D2 mode of an automatic car is a system that shows the driver what gear will be engaged next and whether or not it is the optimum gear to be in, given the car’s current speed.
This feature can be beneficial to the driver when driving on winding roads or uphill, and it can help the driver make smooth shifts while speeding down a highway. It is slower than the D3 mode.
S Mode
This mode has a better throttle even when the car is at low speed.
It is safer to drive using the S (Sport) Mode. However, Sport Mode is not suitable for all driving conditions. Sport Mode may cause the car to behave unpredictably on snow roads and slippery road surfaces.
When driving slowly: Avoid Sport Mode. While in Sport Mode, the engine and gear change speeds are sharper than average, which can lead to unpredictable behavior on slippery roads. Only switch to Sport Mode once the vehicle reaches a rate of about 20km/h.
L Mode
The L -mode is a low gear used to drive uphill or steep roads. This mode provides more torque and engine power to work against gravity.
Many people think that the L mode provides more power to the wheels that it is helpful for everyday driving, but this is not true. This will cause the brakes to overheat and eventually fail to work.
The L mode in automatic cars is only helpful for slow-speed driving, such as climbing a steep hill or extending downgrade.
Conclusion
The driving modes in a car are an essential tool for helping you drive more safely. These modes range from setting the speed of your vehicle to increasing safety by limiting distractions when at the wheel.
If you’re looking for a way to better understand the different driving modes, then this article is for you. We hope to shed some light on D3 means in a car and how it works in various driving situations.
