Should You Shift Up or Down When Overtaking?
3 Answers
Overtaking should be done by shifting down. Precautions for overtaking: 1. Before overtaking, maintain a safe distance from the vehicle being overtaken, check the left rearview mirror to confirm safety, turn on the left turn signal, continue observing the left rearview mirror, and when the timing is right, change lanes to the left while honking the horn; 2. During overtaking, appropriately turn your head to observe the dynamics of the vehicle being overtaken and maintain a safe lateral distance from it; 3. After overtaking, continue driving straight for at least 10 seconds, then without affecting the vehicle being overtaken, turn on the right turn signal, check the right rearview mirror, and ensure safety before changing lanes back to the original lane and turning off the right turn signal; 4. When changing lanes, steer the wheel gently.
When overtaking, I've been driving manual transmission cars for over a decade and sincerely recommend downshifting. The engine delivers greater torque at higher RPMs, providing ample power and giving you a strong acceleration boost to smoothly pass the vehicle ahead. Upshifting, on the other hand, will cause the RPMs to drop, making the car feel sluggish and potentially slowing down the overtaking process or even creating a dangerous situation. Especially on highways, downshifting one gear at high speeds—for example, from 6th to 5th or 4th—and then stepping on the gas will make the car surge forward, reducing the time spent in the oncoming lane. This technique is quite practical, but safety must be prioritized: always check the rearview mirror to confirm no cars are approaching, and avoid attempting it on curves or in heavy traffic. With more practice, you'll master it, driving with greater confidence and efficiency.
I use this technique daily for my commute: downshifting is the most reliable way to overtake. I remember one rainy day when I tried upshifting to pass a truck—the engine RPM dropped, acceleration lagged, and I nearly sideswiped an oncoming car. It was terrifying. Since then, I always downshift manually, usually one gear lower than the current one, keeping the RPM between 4000 and 5000. This makes the car respond more sharply. Whether on city roads or highways, downshifting delivers that burst of power, cutting overtaking time and avoiding dangerous positions. Making this a habit has made my driving smoother and safer. Of course, always check your surroundings before overtaking—safety comes first. The more familiar you are with your car's performance, the better you can execute this maneuver.
