Is it necessary to pause when shifting gears?
4 Answers
There is no need to pause in neutral when shifting gears. Shift gears according to the speed of the car. The method of shifting gears is as follows: Generally, start in first gear, then shift to second gear after driving a few meters; when the speed reaches above 20 mph and below 35 mph, shift to third gear. When the speed reaches above 35 mph and below 45 mph, shift to fourth gear; when the speed reaches above 45 mph, shift to fifth gear. The above is for ordinary five-speed transmission cars. For cars with six or more gears, you can shift up one gear for every approximately 15 mph increase in speed. Precautions for shifting gears: While driving, as long as road conditions and traffic situations permit, you should shift to a higher gear in time. Before upshifting, you must first accelerate to "charge the car" to ensure that there is enough power after upshifting to keep the car running smoothly. If the "charging" (speed) is too small (low), it will cause insufficient power and shaking after upshifting; if the "charging" time is too long, the engine running at high speed for a long time will increase wear and reduce fuel economy.
Shifting gears in a manual transmission truly requires good timing. Having driven a taxi for twenty years, I know this best. After depressing the clutch, don't rush to shift—wait for the RPM needle to drop before engaging the gear, especially when downshifting. That half-second pause allows the gears to synchronize, reducing grinding noises. Forcing it in when there's a large RPM difference is like kicking the transmission, wearing out the synchronizers quickly. However, when at a red light shifting from neutral to first gear, there's no need to wait—just shift directly. Remember, shifting isn't about who's faster; driving smoothly is what shows real skill.
When I first got my driver's license, I also made that clunking sound frequently. My instructor said it was because the clutch wasn't fully depressed. Now, every time I shift gears, I first press the clutch pedal firmly with my left foot, hold the gear lever with my right hand for half a second, and only push it when I feel the gears align. Downshifting requires even more attention. For example, when dropping from 5th gear at 80 km/h to 3rd gear, after pressing the clutch, I give a quick tap on the accelerator with my right foot to raise the RPM, otherwise the car will jerk abruptly. Automatic transmission cars are simpler - just put it in D and drive without worrying about these things. But for car enthusiasts, the sense of control with manual transmission is what makes it fun. Every gear shift feels like having a conversation with the car.
When shifting gears on the track, it's all about speed, precision, and decisiveness—clutch out and upshift the moment the RPM hits the redline, with no pause whatsoever. But for everyday driving, there's absolutely no need for this. In fact, rapid shifting in a regular manual transmission car can damage the synchronizer rings and even lead to gear grinding. It's even more annoying in city traffic—frequent shifting with pauses can turn your left leg into a muscle machine. My advice for beginners: try deliberately slowing down by two seconds when shifting from second to third gear. The car will feel as smooth as an automatic, and your passengers won't be thrown back and forth.
