What are the speeds for upshifting and downshifting?
3 Answers
When the speed is between 10-20 km/h, shift to 2nd gear; when the speed is between 20-30 km/h, shift to 3rd gear; and when the speed is between 30-40 km/h, shift to 4th gear. After selecting the appropriate gear, perform the shifting operation. When upshifting, the action should be swift and smooth, and avoid looking down at the gear lever. Below are some precautions for gear shifting while driving: 1. Overtaking: Upshift when overtaking, as higher gears provide lower torque, which can actually slow down the car during acceleration. 2. Avoid looking down at the gear lever when shifting: This can easily lead to rear-end collisions and other traffic accidents. 3. Not fully depressing the clutch when shifting: Failing to fully depress the clutch when shifting can cause gear grinding in the transmission. Frequent gear grinding can reduce the lifespan of the transmission and, in severe cases, may even cause the transmission to fail on the spot.
Having driven manual transmission cars for over a decade, I believe gear shifting should be based on feel rather than memorizing speed numbers. After a smooth acceleration from start, when the engine hums around 2500 RPM, it's time to upshift to second gear, typically at around 20-30 km/h. As for downshifting? For instance, when climbing or descending hills needing extra power, if the car starts to struggle and speed drops below 15 km/h, it's time to downshift. Each car is different—smaller engines benefit from earlier shifts for fuel efficiency, while larger engines can shift later for more power but at the cost of higher fuel consumption. Don’t rely too much on the tachometer; listening to the engine sound and feeling the vibrations is more reliable. A common mistake beginners make is shifting too hastily, causing jerks or excessive clutch wear, but with practice, it becomes smooth. Always prioritize safety—shifting too late at high speeds can strain the engine, and lugging at low RPMs is even worse. With regular driving practice, you’ll naturally find your rhythm.
When I first learned to drive a manual transmission, I was really nervous. The instructor always said there's no fixed speed for shifting up or down—it depends on the actual situation. The most stable way is to shift to second gear after accelerating to 25-30 km/h, then shift to third gear when reaching 40-50 km/h. Downshifting usually happens when the speed drops below 20 km/h or when you feel a lack of power, like downshifting to second gear in advance for a burst of power when the car ahead slows down and you want to overtake. Different road conditions and car conditions make a big difference—shifting is more frequent in city traffic jams but less so on highways. In my first few attempts, I always rushed to shift up at 10 km/h, causing the car to shake violently. Later, I learned my lesson: staring at the dashboard isn't as useful as observing the road ahead and listening to the engine sound. For beginners, I recommend finding an empty lot to practice and make mistakes—don't be afraid of stalling, and you'll gradually get the hang of it. Experience tells me that shifting early saves fuel but slows acceleration, while shifting late wastes fuel and strains the engine.
