How to Shift Gears in a Manual Transmission Sedan?
2 Answers
The key point of shifting gears is to be quick, completing the actions of depressing the clutch, shifting gears, and pressing the accelerator as fast as possible. The starting gear should always be first gear. Whenever the vehicle moves from a standstill to starting, the gear should remain in first gear. During the road test, skipping gears is strictly prohibited. Gear changes must be done sequentially, such as from first gear to second gear, and then from second gear to third gear.
I've been driving manual transmissions for over a decade, and shifting is all about coordination between hands and feet. The right foot presses the accelerator to reach the appropriate RPM, while the left foot must decisively depress the clutch all the way down—only then can the right hand push the gear lever into place. Starting in first gear is most challenging when rushed; you need to slowly release the clutch until you feel the car slightly vibrate before giving it gas, like dancing to a rhythm. In the city, shift to second gear at around 20 km/h, third gear at 40 km/h, and fourth gear at 60 km/h—only fifth gear on the highway saves fuel. Downshift before taking a curve, or the car will lug and shudder. Steep climbs are particularly demanding; if the RPM drops to around 1,000, quickly downshift to a lower gear, or you won't make it up and risk damaging the clutch plate. Oh, and for new cars, avoid frequent high-RPM shifts in the 3,000–4,000 range—it's best to be gentle during the break-in period.
