What gear should be used at what speed?
3 Answers
Generally, start in first gear, then shift to second gear after driving a few meters; shift to third gear when the speed reaches above 20 mph but below 35 mph; shift to fourth gear when the speed reaches above 35 mph but below 45 mph; and shift to fifth gear when the speed exceeds 45 mph. Below are the speed ranges and techniques for shifting gears in a car: Speed ranges for each gear: 1st gear: Below 15 km/h; 2nd gear: 15 km/h - 30 km/h; 3rd gear: 30 km/h - 40 km/h; 4th gear: 40 km/h - 60 km/h; 5th gear: 60 km/h - 70 km/h; 6th gear: Above 70 km/h. Car gear shifting techniques: Master the clutch pedal operation through practice, ensuring smooth and steady movements. Develop good habits: press the clutch pedal all the way down and release it slowly. Coordinate the throttle and clutch: when starting, engage first gear, slowly release the clutch, and apply throttle at the half-clutch point. Only fully release the clutch after the car starts moving. Learn the right timing for shifting gears: shift when the engine reaches around 2000 RPM, first reduce the throttle and then press the clutch to avoid forced disengagement, then shift. The gear shifting sequence must always be 1st → 2nd → 3rd → 4th → 5th gear; skipping gears is not recommended. Downshift based on speed and engine conditions, generally when the engine RPM drops below around 1500.
I've been driving for decades and I'm very familiar with gear shifting speeds. Generally speaking, when starting at low speeds, first gear is the most stable. You can shift to second gear when reaching around 20 km/h, at which point the engine sound becomes smooth. Shift to third gear above 30 km/h to avoid excessively high engine RPM. Around 60 km/h, it's time to shift to fourth or fifth gear for fuel-efficient and smooth highway driving. High gear at low speed is no good - the engine will struggle and vibrate violently; low gear at high speed is also bad as excessive RPM can cause overheating and damage. My habit is to rely on listening to the engine sound and watching the tachometer, keeping it between 2000 to 3000 RPM. Economical driving can save significant fuel costs. Remember each car has different characteristics - test more to find the sweet spot. Don't just memorize numbers, you'll naturally get the hang of it with more driving experience. Safety first, don't let your car suffer.
Shifting gears should consider safety and vehicle protection. Use 1st gear when starting at 10-15 km/h. Shifting to 2nd gear at around 20 km/h is reasonable to avoid stalling. Shift to 3rd gear at 40 km/h to prevent engine strain. Use 4th or 5th gear when exceeding 60 km/h. Remember to delay upshifting on steep slopes or when carrying heavy loads to prevent insufficient power. High gear at low speed can choke the engine and damage cylinders; low gear at high speed causes excessive RPM and harms components. Regularly check tires and engine oil to ensure smooth power delivery. During long drives, I keep the RPM around 2500 for fuel efficiency and reduced wear. The owner's manual provides specific guidelines—new drivers should refer to it for reliability. Develop good habits to extend your car's lifespan.
