What Does Gear Shifting Mean?
3 Answers
It refers to the 100-meter gear shifting exercise, specifically requiring the completion of at least three gear changes within 150 meters. The process involves shifting up one gear at a time, testing the synchronization between speed and gear selection. Start in first gear, shift to second gear when reaching 15 km/h, and then to third gear at 25 km/h. Gear shifts should be smooth to avoid stalling. Below are the operational tips: 1. Test Requirements: Follow the voice prompts of the testing system to perform corresponding gear shifting operations. 2. Upshifting Requirements: When upshifting, the action should be swift and gentle, with accurate gear selection. Avoid looking down at the gear lever or coasting in neutral. Before upshifting, check the left and right rearview mirrors to ensure road safety. 3. Downshifting Requirements: Before downshifting, check the left and right rearview mirrors to ensure road safety. For example, when shifting from third gear to second gear, release the throttle (or apply the brake) at 30 km/h, allowing the speed to gradually drop to 20 km/h before shifting to second gear.
Shifting gears refers to the operation of changing gears when driving a manual transmission car. Upshifting means moving from a lower gear to a higher one, such as shifting from 2nd to 3rd gear. In this case, the vehicle speed increases while the engine RPM decreases, which is suitable for steady driving on flat roads and helps save fuel. Downshifting, on the other hand, involves moving from a higher gear to a lower one, like shifting from 4th to 3rd gear. This is used when going downhill or needing to decelerate, as the engine RPM rises, providing engine braking and reducing stress on the brake pads. When I was learning to drive, I found this quite challenging to master. My instructor always emphasized checking the tachometer—upshifting smoothly around 2500 RPM and downshifting below 1500 RPM to prevent stalling. With more practice, gear shifting becomes more intuitive, making driving easier and avoiding unnecessary wear on the vehicle.
Having driven for decades, gear shifting is the most fundamental manual transmission skill. Simply put, upshifting is for speed increase and fuel efficiency, like shifting up when maintaining 80 km/h on highways; downshifting is for deceleration or preparation for acceleration, such as dropping a gear before climbing hills to provide greater torque. In practical driving, the key is to anticipate based on road conditions: downshift before overtaking to raise RPM, reduce to first gear before fully stopping at traffic lights, and use lower gears for stable speed control in rain or snow. Too hasty operation causes jerking, while being too slow wastes energy. I usually shift by listening to the engine sound rather than relying on gauges, which feels more natural and smooth, reducing transmission shock and protecting the vehicle for long-term use.
