What are the speed ranges for each gear in a car?

[SophiaFitz]

The speed ranges for each gear in a car are as follows: 1. 1st gear: Below 20 km/h, shift to 2nd gear at 15-18 km/h. 2. 2nd gear: Below 30 km/h, shift to 3rd gear at 25-28 km/h. 3. 3rd gear: Below 30 km/h, shift to 4th gear at 35-38 km/h. 4. 4th gear: Below 50 km/h, shift to 5th gear at around 48 km/h. 5. 5th gear: Above 50 km/h. 6. R gear: Reverse gear. 7. Upshifting: During the break-in period, shift at 2200-2500 RPM by checking the left tachometer. After the break-in period, shift at 3000 RPM, which can be reduced to 2500 RPM for city driving.

[VanAvery]

After driving for so many years, I've figured out a rule of thumb: you really shouldn't rigidly stick to numbers when shifting gears in a manual transmission. Take my 1.6L compact car for example—you need to shift to 2nd gear once you reach 15 km/h in 1st gear, otherwise the engine roars uncomfortably. 2nd gear can take you up to around 30 km/h, which is especially handy in traffic jams. 3rd gear is the most frequently used, maintaining a steady 40-60 km/h in urban areas. 4th gear is basically reserved for expressways, where it's most fuel-efficient between 60 and 80 km/h. 5th gear is left for highways, where you can cruise at 100 km/h. However, automatic transmission cars are much more hassle-free—they judge the speed and shift gears on their own. If you press the accelerator harder, it might even start in 3rd gear. The key is to listen to the engine sound—just don't let it struggle or scream, and you'll be fine.

[RileyDella]

Back when I was a beginner, I always kept staring at the dashboard to check the gear. Now I realize it was totally unnecessary. My instructor taught me a rhyme: Start in 1st gear, shift to 2nd at 10 km/h, no worries shifting to 3rd at 20, go for 4th above 30, and hit 5th directly on highways. In practice, I found my SUV is heavy—1st gear can handle up to 20 km/h, but for sedans, 1st gear tops out around 15. You’ve got to be even more flexible on slopes. Once, I climbed a hill in 2nd gear pushing to 40 km/h, and the engine didn’t even struggle. Reverse gear is fixed pretty slow, maxing at 5-10 km/h—safety first, after all. Once you get the hang of it, you shift by feel, just like seasoning food—all about experience.

[SanLane]

My friend always asks me about the speed ranges for each gear, so I told him a simple trick: treat the throttle like a rubber band—press lightly and shift early. First gear is most suitable between 0-20 km/h, and you can shift to second gear as soon as the car moves. Second gear is the most flexible in the 15-35 km/h range, making overtaking a breeze. For highway cruising, fourth and fifth gears are the most fuel-efficient, and the car feels especially stable above 60 km/h. Automatic transmissions are even simpler—just leave it in D mode the whole time. If you want some excitement, switch to manual mode and rev second gear up to 50 km/h—the engine roar is exhilarating. Just remember not to let the tachometer hit the red zone.