What happens to the speed when driving in 4th gear without pressing the accelerator?
2 Answers
When driving in 4th gear without pressing the accelerator, the vehicle's speed will gradually decrease. When the speed drops to idle level, the car body will shake increasingly violently and eventually stall. Under normal vehicle conditions, if the car can move without pressing the accelerator after shifting gears, it indicates that the idle speed is too high and should be adjusted to the normal range of 800 to 1200 RPM. Definition of idle state: It refers to an operating condition when the engine is running without load. When the accelerator pedal is completely released during engine operation, the engine enters idle state. When adjusting idle speed, the RPM should not fluctuate abruptly as it may cause premature engine wear. It's best to have it adjusted at an automotive repair facility. Manual transmission gear explanation: 1st gear: Normal starting, speed around 10 km/h; 2nd gear: Low-speed driving, speed around 20 km/h; 3rd gear: Used at speeds between 20-40 km/h, typically for urban driving; 4th gear: Used at speeds between 40-60 km/h; 5th gear: Used at speeds above 60 km/h; N gear: Neutral gear, used when idling while parked; R gear: Reverse gear, engaged when backing up the vehicle.
I often encounter this situation while driving normally - when in 4th gear without pressing the accelerator, the speed will definitely decrease gradually. Like when I drive manual transmission cars on highways, the initial speed might be quite fast, but if I don't press the accelerator, the engine will enter idle state with decreasing power output. Thus, the speed slows down like a snowball effect - within dozens of seconds it can drop from 60 km/h to below 30 km/h. This relates to personal driving habits. For instance, I use this technique in congested areas to let the car decelerate naturally, avoiding frequent gear shifts, but I need to constantly monitor the tachometer. If the speed gets too low (like below 20 km/h), the car starts shaking or even stalling, then I must quickly press the clutch or brake to adjust. Additionally, the situation differs on slopes - uphill deceleration is faster, while downhill may briefly accelerate. Overall this method can save some fuel, though not as smooth as coasting in neutral. I recommend beginners practice sensing speed changes more to ensure safe driving.