How to Match Speed and Gear in Subject Three?
3 Answers
Speed 0-10km/h use 1st gear, speed 10-20km/h use 2nd gear, speed 20-30km/h use 3rd gear, speed 30-40km/h use 4th gear. The following are details to pay attention to when shifting gears: 1. Start with first gear: If you forget to use first gear and start with second gear or even higher, the car may lunge forward suddenly, which is extremely dangerous. 2. Shift gears progressively: During the Subject Three road test, skipping gears is strictly prohibited. You can only shift progressively from 1st to 2nd to 3rd to 4th to 5th gear. If you shift into the wrong gear, you must correct it by shifting into the proper gear. 3. Keep your eyes on the road when shifting: Looking down at the gearshift while shifting will result in disqualification.
As a long-time driving instructor, I have a deep understanding of the speed and gear matching rules for Subject 3. The matching principle is as follows: 1st gear is used for starting, when the speed ranges from 0 to around 20 km/h; when accelerating to 20-30 km/h, shift to 2nd gear; when the speed reaches 30-40 km/h, it's most appropriate to switch to 3rd gear; when the speed enters the range of 40-60 km/h, shift up to 4th gear; and when exceeding 60 km/h, shift up to 5th gear for high-speed driving. During the test, the examiner strictly monitors these rules. For example, staying in 3rd gear at 40 km/h or using a high gear at low speed will result in penalties, as it may cause the engine to struggle and stall or lead to high fuel consumption. When teaching students, I emphasize two points: first, combine the speedometer to shift gears promptly, avoiding delays; second, listen to the engine sound—excessive buzzing noise indicates the need to upshift, while too quiet may require downshifting. Proper matching can improve test pass rates, make driving smoother and more comfortable, and reduce vehicle wear. Practicing more to develop the habit is key—don't just focus on the dials, but feel the rhythm of operation naturally for smoother driving.
I just passed my driving test (Subject 3) not long ago, and the process of matching speed to gear is still fresh in my memory. During training, the instructor taught us the rules: use 1st gear for speeds between 0-20 km/h when starting; shift to 2nd gear once exceeding 20 km/h; around 30 km/h, upshift to 3rd gear; engage 4th gear within the 30-40 km/h range; and only switch to 5th gear on highways. On the test day, I was still in 2nd gear at 35 km/h—the engine roared loudly, almost costing me points. The examiner advised upshifting to avoid stalling. Common mismatches include high revs from low-speed/high-gear or instability from high-speed/low-gear. I recommend more road practice with a partner monitoring the speedometer. Engine noise is the best indicator—when it grows louder, upshift; downshift timing depends on deceleration. Post-test, I realized proper matching not only ensures test success but also saves fuel and extends vehicle life. Stay calm, practice attentively, and it’ll become second nature.
