What are the correct steps for shifting gears while driving?
3 Answers
Shift from first gear to second gear after starting, and then upshift step by step without skipping gears. Each gear shift should be completed in one motion to avoid damaging the gears, which not only harms the mechanical parts but can also easily cause accidents. Familiarize yourself with the gear positions. The gear positions are usually clearly marked on the gear shift knob. When getting into an unfamiliar new car, you should familiarize yourself with the different gear positions. Starting stage: Put the gear into neutral, press the clutch, turn on the ignition, shift into first gear, slowly release the clutch while applying the throttle to start the car. Acceleration process: After the car starts, as the engine speed increases, shift into the corresponding gear according to different speeds.
When I first got my driver's license, my instructor emphasized the 'clutch-pedal synchronization principle' for manual transmission gear shifts. To start, fully depress the clutch and engage 1st gear, then slowly release the clutch to the biting point while applying throttle. At around 15 km/h, ease off the throttle, depress the clutch, and shift to 2nd gear. The key is to always fully depress the clutch before shifting, and don't rush to completely release it afterward—pause slightly at the engagement point for smooth gear meshing. I learned the hard way about RPM mismatch—downshifting from 3rd to 2nd without rev-matching caused a jerky lurch like being kicked. Remember: upshift based on speed, downshift based on RPM, with around 2500 RPM being the smoothest. Never coast downhill in neutral—it's extremely dangerous.
After driving a taxi for ten years, shifting gears is second nature to me. The key points are threefold: depress the clutch fully before moving the gear lever—don’t cut corners by half-pressing it; upshift according to the speedometer without exceeding the range—for example, forcing second gear at 40 km/h will definitely harm the transmission; when downshifting, remember to blip the throttle, especially from third to second gear where the RPM drops quickly—without rev-matching, the whole car will shudder. Some beginners keep staring at the gear knob, but you should actually rely on listening to the engine sound—a humming noise means it’s time to upshift, while a chugging sound calls for a downshift. Shift more gently in rain or snow; aggressive gear changes when traction is poor can easily cause skidding.
