Should You Release the Throttle When Shifting Gears During Vehicle Acceleration?
2 Answers
When accelerating, it is necessary to release the throttle while shifting gears. Gear shifting, abbreviated as the operation method of the gear lever, refers to the driver's psychological and physiological movements in various aspects to continuously change the position of the gear lever in response to road conditions and vehicle speed changes, with the function of altering the vehicle's speed. The technical requirements for gear shifting are: 1. Master the appropriate timing for shifting gears; 2. The coordination between the clutch pedal, accelerator pedal, and gear lever must be correct and harmonious, with precise positioning; 3. After shifting into a new gear, release the clutch pedal promptly and smoothly; 4. The gear shifting action should be swift to minimize shifting time and reduce the loss of vehicle kinetic energy.
When accelerating with a manual transmission car, you must release the accelerator pedal. As an auto mechanic, I often encounter this issue: if you don't release the accelerator, the engine continues to deliver power, causing friction or impact when the clutch disengages. At best, this leads to jerky gear shifts or gear grinding noises; at worst, it wears out transmission components. The principle is that releasing the accelerator cuts off the power source, allowing the gear lever to move smoothly. The correct procedure is to accelerate to the target RPM, release the accelerator, quickly depress the clutch to shift gears, then resume acceleration. Automatic transmissions are much more convenient, as the computer controls gear shifts automatically without manual operation. This practice extends component lifespan and improves driving safety. I recommend regular inspections of the vehicle's transmission system.
