What does the L stand for in PRNDL? The L means low, a gear setting that keeps an automatic car in its lowest gears for more pulling power and more engine braking. The full row of letters, PRNDL, stands for park, reverse, neutral, drive, low, the positions on many automatic gear shifters.
Drivers often search for this because L is the one letter they never use. Newer cars may swap it for S, B or M, which adds to the puzzle. Below is what each letter does, plus a few other common "what does the S stand for" questions from school and history.
Quick facts
Stands for
Park, reverse, neutral, drive, lowHow to say it
PRIN-dul, or the letters one by oneL means
Low gearS often means
Sport or second gearB often means
Brake (engine or regenerative braking)M means
Manual shiftingSeen on
Automatic gear shifters and dashboard displays
What does the L stand for in PRNDL, and the other letters?
| Letter | Stands for | What it does |
|---|---|---|
| P | Park | Locks the transmission so the car will not roll |
| R | Reverse | Moves the car backward |
| N | Neutral | Disconnects the engine from the wheels |
| D | Drive | Shifts through forward gears on its own |
| L | Low | Holds the lowest gears for power and slowing |
People often say the set as one word, PRIN-dul. The order is not random. Rules for vehicles sold in the United States call for a set shift pattern, with neutral sitting between reverse and drive, so a driver moving the lever is less likely to jump straight from forward to backward.
When to use L, low gear
In D, the car picks gears for you and climbs to the highest gear it can for smooth, fuel saving driving. In L, it stays in first or second gear. That gives you two things:
- More pulling force for steep climbs, deep snow, mud or towing a trailer up a grade.
- Engine braking on long downhill roads, so the car slows itself and the brakes do not overheat.
On a mountain road sign: "Steep grade next 5 miles. Trucks use low gear." Car drivers can follow the same advice by moving to L, or to 2 or 1 if the shifter has numbers, before starting down.
Low is not for highway speeds. Shift back to D once the hill or slippery stretch is over.
What does the S stand for in a car?
On most shifters, S means sport. Sport mode holds gears longer and shifts at higher engine speeds for quicker response. On some older cars, S stands for second, a setting that keeps the car in first and second gear, much like a gentler version of L. The owner's manual tells you which one your car uses.
What does the B stand for in a car?
B usually means brake. It appears on many hybrid and electric vehicles. In B, lifting off the accelerator slows the car more strongly, either by engine braking or by regenerative braking that sends energy back to the battery. It does the job that L does on a regular automatic and is handy on long descents.
M, numbers and other shifter marks
- M: manual mode. You shift up and down with plus and minus buttons or paddles.
- D3, 3, 2, 1: limits the highest gear the car will use. 2 and 1 act like low gear.
- OD or O/D OFF: overdrive, the top fuel saving gear. Turning it off helps when towing.
- W or snow: a winter mode that starts in a higher gear to cut wheel spin.
For more letters seen around the car, see RPM on the dashboard, ABS for anti-lock brakes and SUV.
Other common S, L and B questions
The same single letters show up far from the garage:
- What does B stand for in grades? a B is above average, usually 80 to 89 percent on a typical US scale.
- What does s stand for in statistics? a lowercase s stands for the sample standard deviation, a measure of how spread out data are.
- What does the S stand for in Ulysses S Grant? it does not really stand for anything. He was born Hiram Ulysses Grant, and a mistake on his military academy nomination listed him as Ulysses S. Grant. He kept the name. The S is often linked to Simpson, his mother's maiden name.
- L on clothing: large.
For other everyday letters people wonder about, browse famous acronyms.
Questions people ask
What does the L stand for in a car?
It stands for low gear. The car stays in its lowest gears, giving more power for climbing and towing and more engine braking going downhill.
Is it bad to drive in L all the time?
Yes, for normal driving. Low gear keeps the engine at high speed, wastes fuel and limits how fast you can go. Use it for hills, towing or slippery ground, then go back to D.
Can I shift from D to L while driving?
On most automatic cars you can, at moderate speed. Slow down first so the engine does not rev too high, and check your owner's manual for limits.
How do you pronounce PRNDL?
Many people say PRIN-dul, as if it were one word. Others read it as the letters P R N D L.
What does the D stand for on a gear shift?
D stands for drive. The car moves forward and shifts up and down through its gears on its own.