What are the speed ranges for the five gears in a manual transmission?
3 Answers
Manual transmission five-gear speed ranges are: 1. 1st gear is 10 kilometers per hour; 2. 2nd gear is 20 kilometers per hour; 3. 3rd gear is 20 to 40 kilometers per hour; 4. 4th gear is 40 to 60 kilometers per hour; 5. 5th gear is above 60 kilometers per hour. A manual transmission is a manual gearbox, and its working principle is: by shifting the gear shift fork, the transmission ratio of the meshing gears is changed, thereby altering the driving torque to suit different working conditions. The steps to start a manual transmission vehicle are: 1. Press the clutch pedal all the way down; 2. Push the gear lever to engage 1st gear; 3. Lightly press the turn signal lever downward to activate the left turn signal, alerting vehicles in front and behind; 4. Press the horn button to alert pedestrians in front of the vehicle that you are about to start; 5. Release the vehicle's handbrake; 6. Lift the left foot until the clutch is in a semi-engaged state, and the vehicle begins to vibrate slightly; 7. The vehicle starts to move, release the clutch and gently press the accelerator.
Having driven manual transmissions for many years, my personal experience is that there's no fixed formula for the speeds of the five gears—it largely depends on what car you're driving and the road conditions. For example, first gear is used for starting, suitable for speeds from 0 to 20 km/h, ideal for slow movements or maintaining smoothness in traffic jams; second gear covers 20 to 40 km/h, allowing quick acceleration but avoid pressing the throttle too hard; third gear is for 40 to 60 km/h, the gear I use most often in city driving, as it feels smooth and effortless; fourth gear jumps to 60 to 80 km/h, used before entering national highways; fifth gear is for high-speed cruising, easily surpassing 80 km/h. Remember, don't just watch the speedometer—pay attention to the engine sound and tachometer, ideally keeping shifts between 2000 to 3000 RPM. Forcing high speed in low gear can burn engine oil, while shifting to high gear too quickly can make the car jerk like riding a horse. In the city, I mostly stay in third gear, while on highways, fifth gear saves fuel without straining. Driving small cars and SUVs, I notice different speed limits—small cars max out around 15 km/h in first gear, while larger vehicles can go up to 25. In short, practice and feel are what matter most.
As a die-hard manual transmission enthusiast, the speed range of fifth gear is quite thrilling, especially in sports cars. First gear handles the initial acceleration from 0 to 25 km/h in a flash; second gear is most exhilarating when accelerating to around 45 km/h, with high RPM and a roaring engine sound. Third gear stabilizes between 40 to 65 km/h, perfect for cornering. Fourth gear pushes between 60 to 90 km/h, ideal for highway on-ramps. Fifth gear is purely for cruising, soaring above 80 km/h. But don’t rigidly chase numbers—shifting based on the RPM gauge is more precise: upshift at 1500 RPM in first gear, 2000 in second, 2500 in third, 2800 in fourth, and keep fifth gear under 3000 RPM for maximum efficiency. Modified cars are more sensitive to gear shifts, with third gear capable of blasting past 70 km/h. Using fifth gear on highways not only reduces fuel consumption but also protects the transmission, preventing engine overheating and part damage. Having driven both Japanese and European cars, I find Japanese gear shifts smoother, making them better for beginners. In poor road conditions like downhill slopes, avoid high gears to prevent skidding—use second gear for gentle braking. The overall experience is a dynamic balance of speed, power, and safety.
