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For decades, drivers have been familiar with the standard layout of gear poles: a series of numbers for forward gears and an “R” for backwards. Automatic vehicles are usually equipped with “P”, “N”, “D” and “R” – standing in front of Park, Neutral, Drive and Reverse – sometimes with an extra “L” for low gear. So when some motorists recently saw the letter “E” on certain older gearbogs, it sparked curiosity. Many drivers had never seen it before and wondered what purpose it served.
The mystery was highlighted in a discussion shared by Supercar Blondie, where followers were asked if they knew what the “E” represented. Experienced drivers were quick to explain that the letter stood for “Economy”. Found in some older vehicles, the “E” equipment functioned in the same way as a high gear, but was specifically designed to improve fuel efficiency. By keeping the engine rotations per minute (RPM) lower and in some cases adjusting how the engine worked, the setting aimed to reduce fuel consumption during stable driving conditions.