low gear
Steep climb selection
Low gear is the gear ratio in a vehicle's transmission that provides maximum torque but minimum speed, used when starting from a stop, climbing steep hills, or navigating difficult terrain.
In manual transmissions, it's typically first gear; in automatics, it may be engaged by shifting to "L" or "1." The phrase extends figuratively to describe operating at reduced speed or intensity: The project shifted into low gear over the holidays.
Change to lower gear
- engine brakingDeceleration via powertrain resistance
- manual transmissionDriver-operated gear selector
- clutchMechanism linking engine to gearbox
- drivetrainVehicle power transmission system
differential · transfer case · four-wheel drive · powertrain · shift lever · synchromesh · crawl · reduction
Rotational force measurement
- powerEnergy transfer rate
- mechanical advantageForce output over input
- leverageBorrowed capital for amplified returns
- pulling powerCapacity to attract interest
load · hauling · towing · force · rotation · crankshaft · output · work
Secure manual hold
- tractionAdhesive friction enabling movement
- frictionResistance between touching surfaces
- adhesionState of clinging fast
- treadSurface that grips ground
slippery · mud · sand · snow · hill start · wheel spin · traction control · steep grade
Move slowly, low
- creepStealthy, slow movement
- idleWithout activity or purpose
- walking paceTypical footbound velocity
- snail's paceExtremely slow movement
inching · controlled descent · cautious · deliberate · patient · measured · steady · careful
downshift
Change to lower gear
- engine brakingDeceleration via powertrain resistance
- manual transmissionDriver-operated gear selector
- clutchMechanism linking engine to gearbox
drivetrain · differential · transfer case · four-wheel drive · powertrain · shift lever · synchromesh · crawl · reduction · revolutions
torque
Rotational force measurement
- powerEnergy transfer rate
- mechanical advantageForce output over input
- leverageBorrowed capital for amplified returns
pulling power · load · hauling · towing · force · rotation · crankshaft · output · work · reduction ratio
grip
Secure manual hold
- tractionAdhesive friction enabling movement
- frictionResistance between touching surfaces
- adhesionState of clinging fast
tread · slippery · mud · sand · snow · hill start · wheel spin · traction control · steep grade · off-road
crawl
Move slowly, low
- creepStealthy, slow movement
- idleWithout activity or purpose
- walking paceTypical footbound velocity
snail's pace · inching · controlled descent · cautious · deliberate · patient · measured · steady · careful · gradual
- transmissionbroadcast, broadcasting, transmitter, relay, signal
- gearscog, pinion, cogs, rack, mesh
low gearhigh gear
Fastest transmission ratio
top gear · overdrive · fifth gear · sixth gear · fourth gear
low, gear, gears, geared, gearing, gearbox, gearboxes, reverse gear, first gear