What does 'Shift up at five and down at zero' mean?
3 Answers
Shift up at five and down at zero refers to: shift to 2nd gear at speeds above 15 km/h, shift to 3rd gear at speeds above 25 km/h, shift to 4th gear at speeds above 35 km/h, shift to 5th gear at speeds above 45 km/h; shift to 4th gear at speeds below 40 km/h, shift to 3rd gear at speeds below 30 km/h, shift to 2nd gear at speeds below 20 km/h, shift to 1st gear at speeds below 10 km/h. Generally, passenger cars have manual transmissions with 4 to 6 gears and automatic transmissions with 4 to 8 gears. The more gears a vehicle has, the better it adapts to different driving conditions, which can help reduce fuel consumption.
As a veteran driver with over a decade of manual transmission experience, I often use the mnemonic 'shift up at fives, shift down at zeros.' It means when driving a manual car, you should upshift when the speed reaches multiples of 5 km/h (like 5, 10, 15 km/h) to prevent engine over-revving and that annoying buzzing sound. The 'shift down at zeros' part refers to downshifting when decelerating to near 0 km/h (such as approaching traffic lights) to prevent stalling. This technique helps me maintain smooth vehicle operation, reduces jerky movements, and even saves fuel while protecting the engine. Road safety always comes first - when teaching my son to drive, I emphasize combining this mnemonic with situational awareness rather than rigidly following it. After some practice, it becomes second nature. For beginners, learning this can help them gain confidence quickly and avoid driving anxiety.
I just got my driver's license and learned manual transmission from my instructor who taught me this rhyme: 'Shift up at multiples of five, shift down at zero.' At first, I was a bit confused, but now I find it quite practical. It means shifting up when the speed reaches multiples of five, like 10 km/h or 15 km/h, and shifting down when decelerating to prevent stalling. In practice, I've found that combining it with listening to the engine sound works even better—for example, shifting to third gear at 20 km/h. When slowing down, downshift in advance to avoid jerking. This isn't just about shifting techniques; it also affects the vehicle's lifespan. Poor RPM control can increase fuel consumption and wear. I recommend beginners practice more in simple urban driving scenarios using this rhyme first, then gradually transition to shifting by feel for a more natural approach. Safe driving is the key—don't stress too much over the numbers; use them as a guide.
