The first few letters on the gear selector are pretty self explanatory, with "P" meaning "Park," "R" meaning "Reverse," "N" ...

and drive. Over time, the cable and accompanying components can develop damage, stretch, or break entirely. If this occurs, you may be unable to shift out of park, or into any other gear.

setting the gear shifter to R selects the reverse gear and allows the vehicle to move backward. N: Neutral. This functions like Park mode but does not engage the parking pawl. The output shaft and ...

A bemused driver asked the question on a motoring website and wondered why they seem to be the wrong way around ...