How to Shift Up Gears?
4 Answers
After starting in first gear, before shifting up, you should appropriately press the accelerator to increase speed. When the speed reaches 10~20 km/h, you can shift to second gear. During the shift, release the accelerator pedal, press the clutch pedal, quickly push the gear lever into second gear, then slowly release the clutch while gradually pressing the accelerator pedal to accelerate smoothly. The same method applies to other upshifts. Extended information about gears: 1. Starting: Generally, start the car in neutral. After starting, press the clutch and engage first gear, then slowly release the clutch. When the front of the car slightly vibrates, appropriately press the accelerator and gradually release the clutch completely to start moving. Note: Do not release the clutch too quickly or press the accelerator too abruptly. If the speed feels too fast after releasing the clutch and pressing the accelerator, you can press the clutch slightly downward to naturally slow down (especially important when starting in a very small area). 2. Shifting: While driving, if you feel the accelerator is too heavy (mainly by listening to the sound and observing the tachometer) but the speed is not increasing, shift to a higher gear. When shifting up, first release the accelerator, press the clutch, disengage the current gear, engage the new gear, release the clutch halfway, and then press the accelerator while releasing the clutch completely, and so on. Note: The faster the speed, the quicker you should release the clutch; the slower the speed, the slower you should release the clutch, otherwise the car may vibrate or jerk. 3. Downshifting: While driving, if you feel the current gear is not suitable for the speed (a clear sign is the car vibrating and the accelerator feeling sluggish), downshift by following the opposite sequence of upshifting, with other operations similar to upshifting.
When I first learned to drive, shifting gears really gave me a hard time. The instructor always said to step on the clutch decisively, pressing it all the way down without hesitation. When the speed picks up, like shifting from first to second gear, around 20 km/h is ideal—too fast or too slow and the engine would stall. When pushing the gear lever upward with your right hand, the motion should be brisk and gentle; don’t force it. Wait until you feel it click into place before releasing. Then, gradually release the clutch while lightly tapping the gas pedal, so the car won’t jerk around. My worst moment was when I released the clutch too abruptly, and the car bucked like a horse, leaving me rattled. After a few more practices, I got the rhythm down, and now I shift smoothly—saving fuel and protecting the engine. Beginners should find an open space to practice, not mess around on busy roads.
The core of upshifting lies in coordinating movements and timing. First, ensure the car is in an accelerating state with speed reaching the target gear range—for example, shifting from 1st to 2nd requires around 20 km/h. My routine involves holding the steering wheel firmly with the left hand, lightly easing off the throttle with the right foot, and pressing the clutch pedal fully with the left foot for about one second. Then, move the gear lever upward to the next position with the right hand, confirm engagement, and smoothly release the clutch while gradually reapplying throttle with the right foot. The entire process must be fluid—releasing the clutch too abruptly causes jerking, while doing so too slowly wears components. I’ve also observed that an engine speed around 2,000 RPM is ideal; higher wastes fuel, and lower risks stalling. During daily driving, avoid upshifting during sharp turns or uphill climbs—focus on straight sections first. With practice, muscle memory develops for safe and efficient execution.
The key steps for upshifting are simple and easy to remember: after reaching speed, press the clutch, move the gear lever, then slowly release the clutch. Specifically, when accelerating to 20-30 km/h, depress the clutch pedal and release the throttle. Use your right hand to push the gear lever to the next higher gear, such as second gear. Ensure the clutch is fully depressed before moving the lever. Release the clutch slowly and evenly while lightly pressing the throttle to maintain a smooth transition. Wrong practices include shifting without fully depressing the clutch or releasing it too quickly, which can damage the transmission or cause vehicle shuddering. From experience, practicing on flat roads is the safest way to master this skill with more practice.
