Automatic Transaxle question '97 malibu

[WoW3dset]

Hey, new to the forums, and new to my Malibu.

I was wondering what the 1,2,and 3 settings(on the shifter [P,R,N,D,3,2,1]) are for Chevy malibu.

i understand that 1 provides more torque, 2 provides less torque than 1, and 3 even less torque.
do the 1,2,3 settings work similarly to a manual transmission?

[BeatnikTermite]

These do provide the results as you described, and are just like a manual shift transmission. It basically just limits the car to that gear. If you set it on 1, it doesn't shift out of first, if you set it on two, it doesn't shift out of second...

For the most part, it will only be useful if you are trying to get out of the snow, mud (1 & 2) or tow something (3) without going over 40mph or so. You can also use them in an emergency to force a downshift, say if your conventional brakes fail. Otherwise you will probably never use them.