The Hazards of Gear Dragging on Vehicles?
2 Answers
Gear dragging refers to the mismatch between speed and gear. In manual transmission vehicles, driving at high speeds with a low gear forcibly reduces the engine speed and decreases power, causing damage to the vehicle. The hazards of gear dragging on a vehicle are: 1. Wearing out the clutch plate, reducing its lifespan; 2. Wearing out the transmission, shortening its lifespan; 3. The engine will reduce the usage of the piston; 4. Wearing out the drive shaft, damaging the bearings inside it. Additional information: The causes of gear dragging are as follows: 1. Misalignment of the gear linkage mechanism, not engaging the gear fully; 2. Wear of the reverse gear locking mechanism in the transmission; 3. Softening or breaking of the gear spring lock; 4. Excessive wear of the gear lock block.
I know all about engine lugging. As a seasoned long-distance driver, I used to drive at high gears with low speeds to save fuel. But this put too much strain on the engine, making it shake like it was dancing disco. Not only did it accelerate engine wear, but it also ended up increasing fuel consumption instead of saving it. Once, I almost stalled halfway up a mountain road, which scared me into a cold sweat. Looking back now, I really regret it. Engine lugging increases the load on the engine, and over time, oil burning and piston ring wear become common issues, with repair costs easily running into thousands. The clutch also suffers—frequent excessive load can damage the friction plates, and replacing them isn’t cheap. My advice is to pay attention to the tachometer; shifting gears above 2,000 RPM is generally safer. Developing this habit can extend your car’s lifespan. Don’t lose big money trying to save small—safety first is the golden rule.
