For drivers accustomed to modern vehicles, a manual gear stick usually looks straightforward, with numbers such as 1 through 5 and an R for reverse. However, some older cars featured a puzzling “E” that could easily be mistaken for another gear. In many cases, the letter E stood for Economy, indicating a higher-ratio gear intended to make cruising more efficient.

The idea behind it was fairly simple. Once the vehicle was traveling at a steady speed, selecting the E gear could reduce the engine’s RPM, allowing it to run more quietly and potentially use less fuel. Its function was similar to the tall top gear or overdrive found in many modern transmissions, helping the engine work less when the car was already moving comfortably.

However, the economy gear was not suitable for every driving situation. Starting from a standstill, climbing steep hills, accelerating rapidly, or carrying heavy loads generally required greater engine torque. In those circumstances, using a lower gear was more effective because it kept the engine operating within a stronger part of its power range.

So, the mysterious E was not a performance setting or an unusual racing gear. It was primarily designed for efficient, relaxed cruising. Although transmission layouts and markings varied among manufacturers and older vehicles, the basic principle remained the same: allow the engine to turn more slowly at comfortable speeds while helping reduce fuel consumption and engine noise.:::