What do the numbers on a manual transmission represent?

[DeReese]

Manual transmission numbers represent different gears. First gear is used for starting, second gear can also be used for starting, while higher gears are used when speed increases. First and second gears have relatively high torque, while third, fourth, and fifth gears don't have as much torque but allow for higher speeds. When driving a manual transmission vehicle, the gear should match both the engine's RPM and the vehicle's speed. A manual transmission is a gear-shifting device that alters the speed and torque transmitted from the engine to the drive wheels, enabling the vehicle to obtain different traction forces and speeds under various conditions such as starting from standstill, climbing hills, turning corners, and accelerating, while keeping the engine operating within a more favorable range.