Can downshifting skip gears?
2 Answers
Yes. The specific introduction is as follows: 1. Special circumstances: Shifting step by step is not suitable for all situations. If the vehicle in front brakes suddenly and the brakes fail, shifting down one gear at a time may cause a rear-end collision. In this case, directly shifting from fifth gear to first gear and using engine braking is indeed a safer method for timely deceleration. 2. Advantages of shifting step by step: Shifting down one gear at a time allows the speed to decrease gradually. Firstly, it won't cause any damage to the car, and secondly, it minimizes the impact on passengers, providing greater comfort. Additional information: Upshifting is used when accelerating during steady driving. Shift up immediately when the speed or RPM increases, with smooth and quick movements. When decelerating, apply the brakes promptly and shift into the appropriate gear for the speed. Whether upshifting or downshifting, never look down at the RPM or gear position while shifting—this is a common mistake made by beginners. Always maintain a safe following distance and decide whether to continue upshifting or decelerate and downshift based on the situation.
I've been driving manual transmission cars for over a decade, and often skip gears when slowing down or before turning, like shifting directly from 5th to 3rd gear. It's quite convenient, but requires some skill. When driving manual, if you brake hard to reduce speed and the engine RPM doesn't match, the car will jerk violently, which feels uncomfortable and may damage the transmission. So I usually lightly press the accelerator to raise the RPM first, then operate the clutch to shift gears. If properly matched, it's fine. The key is to observe the relationship between vehicle speed and RPM. If matched correctly, it can even save some fuel and avoid excessive engine stress. Of course, this can be challenging for beginners – it takes practice. Try it on empty roads first, not in city traffic jams to avoid emergency braking accidents. In short, skip-shift downshifting is definitely feasible, just don't be too aggressive. Take it slowly to ensure safety.
