How to Shift from Second Gear to Third Gear?
3 Answers
Depress the clutch pedal fully, then release the accelerator pedal, quickly shift to the corresponding gear, and release your hand immediately after shifting. Normally, start in first gear, shift to second gear after driving a few meters, and then shift to third gear when the speed reaches between 20 mph and 25 mph.
When it comes to shifting from second to third gear, I'm all too familiar with it. Having driven manual transmission cars for over a decade, the motion feels as natural as breathing. Typically, when the speed reaches around 30 kilometers per hour, I gently press the clutch pedal while moving the gear shift lever from the second gear position on the left to the neutral third gear position in the middle. Then, I slowly release the clutch pedal to re-engage the transmission, simultaneously pressing the accelerator lightly to prevent jerking or stalling. I remember when I first learned to drive, my instructor emphasized pressing the clutch all the way down, shifting decisively, and releasing the clutch smoothly in coordination with the throttle to avoid sudden drops in RPM. Now, driving to and from work, especially in city traffic or uphill sections, shifting to third gear saves a lot of fuel, and when done smoothly, it can even enhance the joy of driving.
When I first started learning to drive, shifting from second to third gear was a bit tricky. My instructor had me accelerate in second gear to around 30 km/h, then coordinate both feet: left foot fully depressing the clutch pedal while my right hand moved the gear lever directly from the lower position to the upper third gear position. Next, I'd gradually release the clutch with my left foot while gently pressing the accelerator with my right foot. At first, I often made the mistake of releasing the clutch too quickly, causing the car to jerk violently or stall - so embarrassing! Looking back now, the key was synchronization - releasing the clutch and applying throttle needed to be as coordinated as dancing. Later when practicing on highways, shifting to third gear at higher speeds felt smoother and was better for the transmission. Driving manual daily, practice made perfect.