Quote Originally Posted by suv View Post
I mean paano malalaman sa AT kung nasa 2nd, 3rd and 4th gear na?
Automatic transmissions shift smoothly and early when you lightly step on the accelerator. When you step harder, the transmission "cable" tells the transmission to shift later due to more fuel input, which means higher RPM, and later shifting. This later shifting is also felt more.

So if you want to feel how many gears or what gear you're in, from a standing start step on it hard and count the number of times it shifts. Note that if you have, say, a four-speed automatic, and it starts in first gear (some transmissions start in second to save on fuel), then you should feel three shifts. If it's a three-speed automatic, you'll feel two shifts. This pattern should be consistent.

If you're cruising at a constant speed and you're barely stepping on the pedal, then you're in top gear. If you floor it, it will downshift and give maximum acceleration.

On CVT transmissions, I think it's possible to downshift multiple times depending on throttle input - and that makes it fun! However I don't like the way it feels "synthetic" or maybe it's just me. Other than that, CVT is good enough for me.

Automatics are great with cruise control and driving long distances. CVT, for me, is great in the city and gives the car a zippy character.