Does driving in third gear all the time damage the car?
3 Answers
Driving in third gear all the time can damage the car. Whether upshifting or downshifting, it is important to match the vehicle's speed with the appropriate gear while driving. This ensures the car doesn't stall while also minimizing wear on the transmission. Of course, for safety reasons, it's best to upshift sequentially. The method for manual transmission upshifting is as follows: 1. Neutral → 1st gear: Push the gear lever inward with your right hand, then push it upward into 1st gear; 2. 1st gear → 2nd gear: Hold the gear lever and pull it downward into 2nd gear; 3. 2nd gear → 3rd gear: Push the gear lever upward into 3rd gear with your hand; 4. 3rd gear → 4th gear: Lightly cup the gear lever with your palm, spread your fingers to grip it, pull it downward into 4th gear, and keep your palm wrapped around the gear lever.
I remember when I first started driving, I used to keep it in third gear on the highway just to save trouble. The result was that the car made a huge noise and shook badly, and fuel consumption soared by almost 20%. After checking, I learned that third gear is designed for low speeds or climbing hills. If you keep driving in third gear at high speeds, the engine speed often surges above 4000 RPM, just like a person running non-stop all day, accelerating wear and tear on the parts. The transmission gears and piston rings can overheat and get damaged, potentially leading to major repairs over time, which is both costly and hard on the car. Now I've learned to shift to fourth gear once the speed exceeds 50 km/h, keeping the RPM around 2000, and the car runs much smoother, making long trips more comfortable. Everyone should pay more attention to gear selection while driving and avoid messing around like I did.
After driving for over a decade, I've found that third gear is quite practical for stop-and-go city driving, but stubbornly sticking to third gear during prolonged high-speed cruising on flat roads is problematic. The engine RPM remains excessively high—for instance, reaching over 3500 at 80 km/h—which overheats the bearings and cooling system, significantly shortening the engine's lifespan. I've witnessed cases where engines overheated and broke down due to this, leading to costly repairs. A good driving habit is to monitor the tachometer when the engine noise becomes harsh; shift up if the RPM exceeds 2500. This practice ensures longer vehicle longevity and easier maintenance. Make it a habit—it saves hassle and headaches.
