Woman's Gearshift Always Read 'PRNDL.' Then She Gets a New Car, Learns It's Now 'PRNDB'

PRNDL: Many people don’t actually know what all the letters stand for, but it’s a familiar and expected feature on most cars. 

That’s why this woman was taken aback when she noticed there was an unfamiliar character in the mix, and she’s not sure why.

Why Is There A Random 'B' On the Gearshift?

In a viral video with more than 697,000 views, content realtor Lexy Marie Nitzel (@sincenobodyasked) shares her bewilderment after discovering her new car's gearshift doesn't match what she's used to seeing. 

"In a world where the PRNDL has always said PRNDL, it now says PRNDB. But what the [expletive] is the B for?" she asks in the video.

Her caption simply reads, "I got a new car lol."

For anyone unfamiliar with automatic transmissions, PRNDL traditionally stands for Park, Reverse, Neutral, Drive, and Low. The standard gear options have been around for decades. 

Most people know what the first four letters are for (you probably couldn’t drive otherwise), but it’s the "L" that trips people up. Well, it stands for “low gear” and is designed for situations requiring maximum engine power at low speeds, such as driving up steep hills or towing heavy loads.

But Nitzel's new car has replaced the familiar "L" with a "B,” and she's not alone in her confusion.

Gallery: Wacky gearshifts

What Does the “B” Stand For?

The "B" on modern automatic transmissions stands for "Brake" or "Engine Braking," according to SlashGear. This gear position uses engine braking to slow the vehicle down, similar to how the old "L" (low) gear functioned but with a slightly different purpose and mechanism.

Engine braking is particularly useful when driving down steep hills or mountain roads. Instead of relying solely on your brake pedal—which can overheat and lose effectiveness on long descents, the "B" mode uses the engine's resistance to slow the car down naturally. 

Car From Japan notes that when you shift to B mode on a downhill, "it engages the engine braking, and your car won't free-fall down the slopes."

In hybrid and electric vehicles, the "B" mode does double duty. According to Family Handyman, which cites Toyota directly, the B mode "increases regenerative braking, which slows the vehicle down while recharging the hybrid battery." Basically, when you lift your foot off the accelerator in "B" mode, the electric motor switches into generator mode and converts your car's momentum into electricity that charges the battery. 

The switch from "L" to "B" is really about keeping up with the times. As hybrids and EVs become more common, manufacturers need a gear that can handle both traditional engine braking and this fancy battery-recharging action.

That said, Family Handyman warns you shouldn't just leave your car in B mode all the time. It "can make your hybrid slightly less fuel-efficient if used all the time, as it prioritises engine braking over coasting." 

Commenters React

“B for Back it up Terry,” a top comment read.

“B for Better read your manual,” a person said.

“Mine says PRNDS (S is for sport, idk what it means. I drive a 2013 Scion XB),” another shared.

Motor1 reached out to Lexy Marie Nitzel for comment via Instagram and TikTok direct message. We'll be sure to update this if she responds.