How to Shift to 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th Gears?
3 Answers
Used for normal starting or climbing very steep slopes. When using this gear, the speed is generally around 10 km/h. This is the transition gear for acceleration after starting, or for low-speed driving or climbing steep slopes. The speed is generally around 20 km/h, with 2nd gear speed <30 km/h. This gear is used at speeds between 20-40 km/h and is commonly used for city driving. The 3rd gear speed <40 km/h. This gear is used at speeds between 40-60 km/h, with 4th gear speed <50 km/h.
As a beginner driver, I had some difficulty learning how to shift gears. The core of shifting to first, second, third, and fourth gears is to press the clutch and then operate the gear lever: starting from neutral, press the clutch pedal all the way down, then gently pull the gear lever to the upper-left or lower-left position (lower-left for most cars) for first gear; after starting, when the RPM reaches around 1500, press the clutch and push the gear lever to the middle-lower position for second gear; accelerate to around 2000 RPM, press the clutch, and push the gear lever to the upper-right or middle-upper position for third gear; at high speed, when the RPM reaches around 2200, press the clutch and push the gear lever to the lower-right position for fourth gear. The whole process should be gentle and smooth to avoid jerking and gear grinding. RPM matching is crucial—shift gears by listening to the engine sound. Shifting to a higher gear at low RPM will result in insufficient power, while shifting to a lower gear at high RPM can damage the car. Beginners should practice starting on flat roads more often, and with familiarity, the shifts will become natural and smooth.
After driving manual transmission for over 20 years, gear shifting has become muscle memory. Starting and accelerating in 1st-2nd gear: Depress clutch and pull to 1st gear, accelerate then depress clutch and push to 2nd gear. Cruising at medium-high speed in 3rd-4th gear: Depress clutch and push to 3rd gear, then push further to 4th gear. Gear positions vary by car model, mostly H-pattern with top-left to bottom-right corresponding to 1st-4th gears. The key is precise clutch engagement timing - don't prolong gear changes to avoid transmission wear. 4th gear at highway speeds saves fuel, keeping RPM around 2000 for smoothest operation. Avoid forcing lower gears on slopes - 1st gear provides sufficient starting power. Regularly check gear lever flexibility and adjust cables if loose. With proper feel, operation becomes as natural as breathing.
