Should I use 4th gear or 5th gear at 60 km/h?

[EdenLynn]

It is better to use 5th gear because driving at 60 km/h in 5th gear is more fuel-efficient than in 4th gear. At 60 km/h, the engine speed in 4th gear is around 2000 RPM, while in 5th gear it is about 1500 RPM. Since 4th gear has a higher gear ratio, the engine output torque is smaller when driving in 4th gear compared to 5th gear. Here are some additional gear shifting tips: 1. Shift gears according to the vehicle speed. 2. If you notice the vehicle shaking while driving, it indicates the engine is operating under low speed and high load. In such cases, immediately downshift by one or two gears based on the actual situation. 3. When shifting gears, coordinate the clutch and accelerator properly. Press the clutch pedal all the way down, then release the accelerator pedal, and quickly shift to the desired gear. After shifting, release your hand immediately and avoid keeping it on the gear lever (commonly known as the gear stick) for too long, as this may damage the gear lever. 4. Master the correct hand position for shifting. The correct hand position is to cover the head of the gear stick with your palm facing downward, grip the gear stick firmly with all five fingers, and then shift gears. 5. Shift gears completely. Always press the clutch pedal all the way down when shifting. Generally, to engage 1st gear, push the gear stick to the left and then forward; for 2nd gear, push it to the left and then downward; for 3rd gear, push it straight upward from the neutral position; for 4th gear, push it straight downward from the neutral position; and for 5th gear, push it straight to the right and then upward. 6. Familiarize yourself with the unique reverse gear engagement methods. (1) Different vehicles have different ways to engage reverse gear. Some require pushing the gear stick straight to the right and then pulling it downward; (2) Some vehicles have the reverse gear position further to the left than 1st gear, meaning you need to push the gear stick one more position to the left beyond 1st gear and then forward; (3) Some vehicles require lifting a button under the gear stick with the middle and ring fingers before pushing it to the left and forward to engage reverse gear; (4) Others require pressing down the gear stick before pushing it to the left and forward or to the right and backward to engage reverse gear.

[AdalynnRose]

I've been driving manual transmission cars for over ten years, and 60 km/h is a common speed on urban roads. Generally speaking, cruising at 60 km/h in fifth gear on flat roads is just right, keeping the RPM around 2000, which results in low noise and good fuel efficiency. However, when encountering uphill sections or needing to overtake, I decisively downshift to fourth gear, bringing the engine RPM above 3000 for immediate power delivery. The key is to observe the car's condition - with older vehicles showing significant transmission wear, fifth gear at 60 km/h might cause vibrations, making fourth gear the more stable choice. Nowadays, most new cars come with gear shift indicators, and following the dashboard prompts is the safest approach.

[LaKatherine]

Novice drivers often struggle with gear selection during car repairs. When driving at 60 km/h, should you use 4th or 5th gear? It mainly depends on two factors: engine displacement and road conditions. For small-displacement cars like 1.5L models, using 5th gear at 60 km/h can easily cause lugging, and the engine will vibrate severely when RPM drops below 1500 - in this case, 4th gear is more appropriate. For engines above 2.0L displacement, 5th gear works smoothly. On flat highways, confidently use 5th gear for better fuel efficiency, but when carrying heavy loads or climbing hills, 4th gear delivers better torque performance. Remember to regularly check the clutch plates - severe wear can cause power deficiency in higher gears. Also change transmission fluid on schedule, as incorrect viscosity affects shifting feel.

[McElias]

When I first got my driver's license, my instructor always reminded me about the right time to shift gears. Driving at 60 km/h in fifth gear is the most economical, with low RPM and less fuel consumption, making it especially suitable for cruising on national highways. However, if there's a turn or intersection ahead, I downshift to fourth gear in advance to avoid lugging the engine when slowing down. On rainy days when the road is slippery, extra caution is needed—suddenly lifting off the throttle in a high gear can easily cause skidding. Actually, there's no need to be too rigid about it; just pay attention to the car's vibrations: if the gear is too high, the accelerator pedal will tremble like a phone vibrating; if the gear is right, acceleration will be smooth and linear. Just remember not to let the tachometer needle stay below 1500 RPM for too long.

[AndresMarie]

Last week, I took my friend's performance car for a mountain run, and 60 mph felt particularly nuanced in the corners. Exiting a turn in fourth gear kept the revs high at 4000 rpm, with the turbo ready to kick in, delivering sharp acceleration. For daily commuting, fifth gear is more comfortable, making the engine as quiet as an electric car. Beginners should watch the tachometer: the 2000-2500 rpm range is the healthiest. Experienced drivers can tell by sound—when the engine's hum turns dull, it's time to downshift. Using third gear for engine braking is safest when descending underground parking; fifth gear can make the clutch shudder. Modified cars require extra caution, as larger rims can alter the relationship between actual speed and gear selection.

[SanRafael]

Driving a manual transmission SUV in the highlands truly made me understand gear selection. Above 3,000 meters in altitude, using 4th gear at 60 km/h is noticeably more powerful than 5th gear, as the engine is prone to surging in oxygen-deprived environments. While 5th gear is indeed more fuel-efficient on flat terrain, it's essential to use 4th or even 3rd gear on long descents—engine braking is much safer than relying on the brakes. In congested areas with frequent acceleration and deceleration, I prefer using 4th gear to minimize gear changes. If you've modified tire sizes, be extra cautious. Switching from 215 to 235 tires means the actual speed is 5% faster than the speedometer shows—so 60 km/h in 5th gear might actually be just 55 km/h, making higher gears more prone to lugging.