What gear should be used when driving at 60 km/h in a manual transmission car?
4 Answers
Each car has slightly different gear shift positions, but they are generally similar. If the speed has reached 60 kilometers per hour, it is usually better to use 5th gear. Gear shifting tips: Shift gears according to the car's speed. Generally, start in 1st gear, then shift to 2nd gear after driving a few meters; shift to 3rd gear when the speed reaches above 20 mph but below 35 mph; shift to 4th gear when the speed reaches above 35 mph but below 45 mph; shift to 5th gear when the speed exceeds 45 mph. Introduction to manual transmission: A manual transmission is a gear-shifting device used to alter the speed and torque transmitted from the engine to the drive wheels. It enables the car to achieve different traction and speeds under various conditions such as starting from a standstill, climbing hills, turning corners, and accelerating, while also allowing the engine to operate within a more favorable range.
I like to watch the tachometer when shifting gears while driving. Honestly, which gear to use at 60 km/h depends on the situation. For my 1.5L naturally aspirated car, cruising in 5th gear at 1500 RPM on flat ground is clearly lugging the engine—using 4th gear at 2000 RPM feels much smoother. But when driving my uncle's 2.0T car, shifting to 6th gear at 60 km/h keeps the RPM under 2000 without any engine shudder. Downshifting and rev-matching on uphill climbs is a basic technique—just the other day on a mountain road, I held 3rd gear at 4000 RPM, and the engine had plenty of power. Remember to avoid letting the steering wheel or pedals vibrate. Some newer cars even come with shift indicator lights now.
As a die-hard manual transmission fan, I believe the right gear for 60 km/h depends on the car. When driving my little Fit, fifth gear at just over 2000 rpm gives the best fuel efficiency. But in my friend's manual Civic, it can hit 75 km/h at the same 2000 rpm. When needing to accelerate for overtaking, fourth gear delivers more power. Once driving an old Santana on a national highway, third gear at 60 km/h made the engine scream. Truth is, the tachometer tells all - keeping between 2000 to 3000 rpm is ideal. Too low wastes fuel and causes carbon buildup, too high just gives you a headache from the noise.
That day when teaching my wife to drive a manual transmission, we encountered this issue. On the urban expressway at 60 km/h, the new car can comfortably stay in sixth gear, while the old car is fine with fifth gear. But in school zones at 60 km/h, using fourth gear is safer, allowing quick reactions if needed to avoid pedestrians. If the car is fully loaded with the AC on, downshifting to third gear before an uphill is necessary for enough power. The key is listening to the engine sound—as long as it's not a muffled hum or a strained roar, it's fine. Nowadays, rental cars come with gear shift reminders; when the red arrow lights up, don't push it.
