Is it possible to skip gears when shifting?
2 Answers
Manual transmission vehicles cannot skip gears when upshifting, but they can skip gears when downshifting. When shifting gears in a manual transmission, the following points should be noted: Accurately gauge the vehicle's speed and engine RPM when accelerating and shifting. If you shift gears at a lower speed, the engine may not provide sufficient power, which could result in noticeable body vibration, prolonged shifting time, or even stalling. The shifting sequence for manual transmissions: Release the accelerator pedal with your right foot, depress the clutch pedal with your left foot, and move the gear lever back to the neutral position; then manipulate the gear lever to shift to the desired new gear; finally, release the clutch pedal while pressing the accelerator pedal to complete the shifting operation.
Skipping gears basically means shifting directly from one gear to another without going through the intermediate gears while driving, such as shifting from second gear directly to fourth gear. I used to do this when driving a manual transmission car, thinking it could save fuel or make the car go faster, but later realized it wasn’t very reliable. Doing this can cause sudden and excessive changes in engine RPM—for example, shifting to a higher gear at too high an RPM can lead to jerking or shuddering, accelerating wear on engine components. The transmission also suffers, as the gears may experience greater friction, which can shorten the vehicle’s lifespan in the long run. Of course, some experienced drivers might manage shifting from third gear directly to fifth gear when maintaining a steady speed on the highway, but beginners shouldn’t try it. I recommend always shifting sequentially, like from first to second to third gear, to protect the car and avoid sudden failures. Safety comes first when driving, and following standard practices is the simplest way to maintain your vehicle.
