Is it correct to hold the gear shift lever for a long time?
3 Answers
Holding the gear shift lever for a long time can cause wrist fatigue, making it difficult to shift gears accurately when needed, which can easily lead to traffic accidents. Extended content: Driving precautions: 1. Do not look down at the gear shift lever: Even for a second, anything can happen on the road, and it may be too late to take action when you notice something. 2. Do not shake the gear shift lever back and forth in neutral: Some drivers shake the gear shift lever just for fun, but doing this for a long time can easily cause wear and tear on car components. 3. Do not shift gears without fully depressing the clutch: Shifting gears without fully depressing the clutch makes it difficult to engage the gear and can easily cause the engine to stall. 4. Do not skip gears when upshifting: Skipping gears when upshifting can lead to insufficient power, causing the car to accelerate unevenly and stall, while also increasing fuel consumption and causing significant damage to the engine.
As a veteran driver with twenty years of manual transmission experience, I firmly believe that keeping your hand on the gearshift for extended periods is a major no-no. Think about it – safety is paramount when driving, and both hands should remain firmly on the steering wheel. Once you develop the habit of resting your hand on the gearshift, it's easy to get distracted and fiddle with it unconsciously, especially during turns or emergency braking. A momentary lapse could lead to accidental gear changes, causing loss of vehicle control or accelerated wear on internal components. I've seen many novices make this mistake, resulting in minor accidents on highways. Worse still, this posture increases wear risks on bumpy roads, making the transmission rattle. So cultivate good habits early: reach for the gearshift only when necessary, otherwise rest your hands on the wheel or your lap. Don't underestimate this – driving safety can't be compromised, and transmission repairs don't come cheap.
I'm the type who pays close attention to automotive mechanical details, and honestly, keeping constant pressure on the gearshift lever is really not a good practice. The gearshift connects to the internal gears and linkage mechanisms of the transmission. If you persistently apply pressure with your hand, especially on rough roads, it subjects those precision components to unnecessary stress, leading to premature wear or loosening over time. Think about it: normal gear shifting only requires a brief operation once, and keeping your hand there the rest of the time is just wasted effort that could also interfere with steering control. I made this mistake myself, and now I remind myself to take my hand off after every shift to avoid distraction-related risks. One more thing—wear issues are more noticeable in older cars. Frequent gear changes are already taxing enough; why add extra strain? Developing good habits is actually simple: keep your hands free and flexible while driving, only touching the gearshift when necessary—protecting both yourself and your wallet.
