What are the speeds for 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, and 5th gears?
3 Answers
Manual transmission gears 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 correspond to the following speeds: 1. 1st gear: Used for normal starting or climbing very steep slopes. The speed is generally around 10 kilometers per hour when using this gear. 2. 2nd gear: Used as a transition gear for acceleration after starting, or for low-speed driving or climbing steep slopes. The speed is generally around 20 kilometers per hour. 3. 3rd gear: Used at speeds between 20-40 km/h, commonly used for city driving. 4. 4th gear: Used at speeds between 40-60 km/h. 5. 5th gear: Can be used at speeds of 60 km/h or above.
Oh, this topic is right up my alley! As a seasoned manual transmission driver with years of experience, I think gear speeds aren't absolute—it all depends on the specific situation. Generally speaking, in regular compact cars, 1st gear is for starting, suitable for speeds roughly between 0 to 20 km/h, ideal for climbing hills or slowly accelerating in congested intersections. 2nd gear is a transitional gear, used for speeds between 20 to 40 km/h, commonly used in city driving for smoother acceleration. 3rd gear offers more stability, covering 40 to 60 km/h, making it comfortable for suburban driving while keeping the RPM around 2000. 4th gear is best for higher speeds, between 60 to 80 km/h, great for fuel-efficient cruising. 5th gear is reserved for highways, suitable for speeds above 80 km/h to keep the engine running smoothly. However, I've driven different vehicles—like heavier SUVs where 1st gear's range is narrower, requiring a shift by 15 km/h, while lighter compact cars might stretch to 25 km/h before upshifting. The key is not to rigidly memorize these numbers but to adapt based on road conditions and the RPM gauge—otherwise, you risk damaging the car and wasting fuel.
I usually enjoy figuring out the details of cars myself, having driven manual transmissions for over ten years. The gear-speed relationship is actually quite flexible. For regular family sedans, first gear is typically usable from 0 to 25 km/h, making starts very responsive; second gear accelerates quickly, covering about 25 to 40 km/h, often used when city traffic lights turn green; third gear handles 40 to 60 km/h, stable for suburban commutes; fourth gear works well from 60 to 80 km/h, suitable for gentle slopes before highway tunnels; fifth gear is for cruising above 80 km/h, most fuel-efficient on highways. However, differences between models can be significant. I've driven compact cars with small engines where first gear only goes up to 15 km/h before needing a shift, otherwise the high RPM causes uncomfortable vibrations; with larger displacement vehicles, second gear can easily pull up to 45 km/h before upshifting. For beginners, I suggest not worrying too much about the numbers—focus more on practicing the feel: when the engine hums beyond 3000 RPM, it's time to upshift. This makes driving smoother and protects the transmission. With practice, it becomes second nature—a really interesting experience.
