Is 25 km/h in third gear or second gear?
2 Answers
25 km/h is in second gear. Below is a detailed introduction to gear-speed matching: Gears: Start in first gear, shift to second gear after driving a few meters, shift to third gear when the speed reaches above 20 mph but below 35 mph, shift to fourth gear when the speed reaches above 35 mph but below 45 mph, and shift to fifth gear when the speed exceeds 45 mph. Notes: When shifting gears, the clutch and throttle must be coordinated properly. Fully depress the clutch pedal while simultaneously releasing the throttle pedal, then quickly shift to the corresponding gear. Release your hand immediately after shifting; do not keep it on the gear lever for too long, as this can easily damage the gear lever.
I've been driving manual transmission cars for over a decade, and I find it more reliable to generally use second gear at around 25 km/h. In urban areas with frequent traffic lights where speed fluctuates significantly, it's convenient to start in second gear and maintain between 20 to 30 km/h—this helps prevent stalling or engine shuddering. My older car tends to have low RPMs and makes a humming noise when in third gear at 25 km/h, feeling strained and consuming more fuel, especially noticeable when going uphill. Fuel efficiency is my priority, and using a higher gear at low speeds causes RPM mismatch, so I usually stick to second gear. Shifting gears should feel natural; it's safer to shift to third gear only when maintaining speeds above 30 km/h. For beginners, I recommend practicing more to get familiar with your car's behavior. After all, each car's engine characteristics differ—my friend's compact car can handle third gear at 25 km/h, but my heavier SUV requires a more conservative approach.