
Speed ranges vary depending on the engine displacement and transmission matching, meaning each level and each vehicle is different. However, the conventional gear-speed matching is as follows: 1st gear 0-20 km/h, 2nd gear 30-40 km/h, 3rd gear 50-60 km/h, 4th gear 80-90 km/h, and 5th gear above 100 km/h. Precautions for driving a manual transmission car: 1. Don't be lazy while driving: change gears frequently according to the speed. 2. Avoid prolonged half-clutch state: some drivers are accustomed to keeping their left foot on the clutch while driving, thinking it provides better control over the vehicle. However, this practice greatly damages the clutch plate. Especially when the vehicle is running at high speed, prolonged half-clutch state will cause rapid wear of the clutch plate. 3. Do not shift gears without complete separation: some impatient drivers may attempt to shift gears without fully depressing the clutch. This not only makes it difficult to engage the gear accurately but also causes fatal damage to the manual transmission gearbox over time.

I usually drive a manual transmission car for commuting, and the relationship between gears and speed is a bit like tuning a radio station—it has to be matched just right to feel comfortable. First gear is for starting, with speeds around 0 to 20 km/h, slow and steady at the beginning. Shift to second gear for speeds between 20 to 40 km/h, perfect for congested city roads. Third gear accelerates to 40 to 60 km/h, ideal for overpasses or slight speed boosts. Fourth gear cruises at 60 to 80 km/h, the most fuel-efficient on highways. Fifth gear handles speeds above 80 km/h, where the engine runs quietly at high speeds. The speed range for each gear depends on the car model—in my 1.6L car, second gear at 30 km/h keeps the RPM around 2000. Shifting gears promptly can extend engine life and avoid jerky movements. For beginners learning to drive, I recommend first getting a feel for the engine sound—when it starts humming, it's time to upshift, which saves fuel and reduces wear.

The coordination between manual transmission gears and speed is quite intricate, especially during long-distance driving where I can get creative. First gear is for starting at 0-20 km/h, second gear for acceleration at 20-40 km/h, third gear maintains smoothness at 40-60 km/h, fourth gear optimizes fuel efficiency at 60-80 km/h, and fifth gear is most economical for high-speed driving at 80 km/h and above. However, don't rigidly memorize these numbers—listening to the engine's sound is more important. Shifting up when the RPM exceeds 2,500 is ideal. From my experience, small-displacement cars shouldn't use high gears at low speeds for climbing hills, like fifth gear at 60 km/h, as the engine will protest and fuel consumption increases. Larger-displacement cars offer more flexibility, such as using third gear at 50 km/h to pull higher RPMs for quicker acceleration. Regularly checking the gear oil can reduce gear-shifting hesitation.

When I first learned to drive a manual transmission, I was a bit confused about the gears and speed. Later, I figured out a simple pattern. Starting in 1st gear at 10-20 km/h is the most stable, 2nd gear at 20-30 km/h accelerates faster, 3rd gear at 30-50 km/h is for normal roads, 4th gear at 50-70 km/h is more efficient on highways, and 5th gear at 70 km/h and above maintains speed. The speed range varies for each car. For my practice car, 3rd gear at 40 km/h works just fine, with low RPM and less noise. For safety, avoid using high gears at low speeds to prevent stalling, especially on slippery roads during rain, and downshift promptly to avoid skidding.


