Do You Need to Press the Accelerator When Shifting Up?
2 Answers
Shifting up requires pressing the accelerator. When shifting up, release the accelerator, press the clutch, shift up, release the clutch, and then press the accelerator. Pressing the accelerator when shifting up: The accelerator is generally pressed when shifting up to increase the vehicle's RPM. Reaching the specified RPM is beneficial for smooth shifting, preventing stalling or strange noises. Relaxing the foot: When driving at high speeds on good road conditions, lightly press the accelerator to increase speed while maintaining a safe distance. At this time, the foot should be relaxed, but the mind should remain alert to prevent excessive fatigue and to stay aware of road conditions for timely responses.
For manual transmission upshifting, I believe it depends on the specific situation. Having driven manual transmission cars for twenty years, I don't need to press the accelerator while engaging the clutch during upshifts. The correct procedure should be: first release the accelerator pedal to stabilize the engine RPM; then fully depress the clutch pedal and shift to a higher gear; subsequently release the clutch pedal while gradually pressing the accelerator to match the speed with the new gear. If you keep pressing the accelerator during gear shifting, it can easily lead to premature clutch plate wear or drivetrain damage. Some novice drivers mistakenly think pressing the accelerator makes acceleration smoother, but in fact, it makes gear shifts more jerky. In daily driving, I always aim for smooth gear changes and avoid sudden acceleration, a habit that has extended my car's service life. Even when needing quick upshifts for highway overtaking, I stick to this sequence to ensure safety first. Ultimately, the essence of upshifting lies in the coordination between throttle and clutch - not pressing the accelerator is the correct approach.
