Accelerate First or Shift Gears First?
2 Answers
Speed determines the gear, not the gear determines the speed. Therefore, accelerate first, then shift gears. Specific details are as follows: 1. Gear shifting: The clutch is used for shifting gears. It is not necessary to accelerate before upshifting or brake before downshifting. Gear shifting is entirely determined by the current speed and RPM. Additionally, release the throttle when pressing the clutch to shift gears. Upshifting and downshifting are coordinated with the clutch, not with the throttle or brake. Just like turning requires steering the wheel to be effective; simply accelerating or decelerating won't make the turn. 2. Transmission and braking system: These are two completely independent systems. For AT or CVT transmissions using a torque converter, the braking system only needs to transmit a signal. For dual-clutch transmissions with multi-plate clutches, the braking system controls the semi-engaged state of the multi-plate clutches.
When driving, whether to accelerate first or shift gears depends on road conditions and purpose. As a frequent highway driver, when encountering uphill slopes or wanting to overtake, I usually step on the accelerator first to increase speed, then shift to a higher gear. This ensures ample power, smooth engine operation, and maintains a safe distance. Never rush to shift gears and lose power, as it may cause stalling or rear-end collisions. In city traffic jams, I slow down first and then shift to a lower gear. Remember not to let the engine RPM drop too low; shifting around 2,500 RPM is the smoothest. Safety comes first, and with a few tries, you'll find the rhythm. Considering fuel consumption, regular transmission maintenance can extend the vehicle's lifespan.
