What Causes the Car to Jerk During Gear Shifting in Subject Three?
4 Answers
It is normal for the car to experience some jerking sensation during gear shifting. Here is a partial introduction about car gears: P gear: Parking gear, starting gear. When the car is parked and not in use, it prevents the car from rolling when the wheels are mechanically locked. N gear: Neutral gear. Used for temporary parking (e.g., at a red light). This gear indicates neutral, and to prevent the car from rolling on a slope, the brake must be engaged. Operation steps: For automatic transmission cars, shift the lever to the corresponding gear. A manual-automatic transmission may not have as many gears; besides P, R, N (these three gears are essential for automatic cars), the forward gear is simply D gear (e.g., FAW Mazda 6), and the functions of other gears can be achieved through manual mode.
During the gear shifting in Subject 3, the car jerks, which I believe is mainly caused by the nervousness or lack of proficiency of new drivers. For example, when I was taking the test, I was always in a hurry to shift gears, and when I released the clutch too quickly, the engine speed couldn't keep up with the change in vehicle speed, causing the car to jerk uncomfortably for a moment. The instructor said that the common cause of jerking is the lack of coordination between the throttle and clutch—ease off the throttle before shifting, and then gently press the throttle while slowly releasing the clutch for a smooth transition. Another reason is improper speed control. If the gear and speed don't match, such as starting in a high gear or shifting to a higher gear at low speed, the engine load increases, making it prone to jerking. During practice, I need to rely more on feeling, less on staring at the dashboard, and use my foot to sense the clutch's semi-engagement point. Jerking not only affects passing the test but is also bad for the car, wearing out the clutch plates, so it's important to develop good habits when driving. It's recommended to start practicing with slow gear shifting to reduce nervousness.
Having driven for many years, I've seen many people struggle with jerky gear shifts during the third driving test, mainly due to poor clutch control. Beginners often release the clutch too quickly or choose the wrong shifting moment, causing sudden misalignment between the engine and transmission. I've experienced this myself—when shifting gears, the sudden change in power makes the car lurch forward and stop abruptly. The key to solving this is synchronizing the throttle and clutch: after pressing the clutch to engage a gear, gradually release it while applying the right amount of throttle to maintain steady RPM. Speed mismatch is another factor; for example, shifting into a lower gear at too high a speed will cause a noticeable jerk. With practice, I recommend paying attention to the tachometer to find the matching point, as mastering the semi-clutch technique is crucial. Although minor, jerky shifts can cost points in the test and aren’t good for the vehicle's drivetrain. Regular practice on low-speed sections helps familiarize drivers with the car's response.
The jerking during gear shifting is caused by mechanical and operational factors. When the engine speed and vehicle speed are mismatched, the power imbalance during shifting feels like a tug. I often encountered this during my novice period, likely due to releasing the clutch too quickly or selecting the wrong shift point. The correct operation is to synchronize the throttle and clutch actions: press the clutch to engage the gear, then slowly release the clutch while gently applying the throttle. Large speed differences make the transmission bear the impact. Jerking not only deducts points in tests but also damages car components over time. The solution lies in practice and habit.
