What is the name for adjusting car gears?

[DeAndrew]

The gears of a car, also known as the transmission, refer to the automotive device used to change gear sizes. Below is relevant information: 1. First gear: Used for starting, generally applicable for speeds below 15 km/h. Suitable for uphill roads, congested roads, muddy or wet roads, and foggy days. 2. Second gear: Shift to second gear when the speed reaches 15 km/h. Second gear is also used for uphill roads, turning roads, narrow roads, and hazy conditions. 3. Third gear, fourth gear, fifth gear: If driving at around 30 km/h, third gear is appropriate. Shift to fourth gear when driving at 40 km/h, and use fifth gear for speeds above 50 km/h. These are normal driving speeds, and the choice should be made based on road conditions.

[McDelaney]

That thing for shifting gears is commonly called a gear lever or shift lever. It's most noticeable when driving a manual transmission, where your right hand frequently grips it to switch between gears 1-5. Automatic transmission cars also have it, but with more varied designs—some are straight-line shifters, while others have serpentine gear slots. I remember driving an old Santana where the metal gear knob would freeze your hand in winter and burn it in summer. Nowadays, many cars use leather-wrapped knobs, making them much more comfortable to hold. Actually, this lever is connected to the transmission—when you push or pull it, you're controlling the internal gear sets. Be careful not to force it too hard, especially with automatics; remember to press the brake before shifting, or you might damage the transmission.

[DelGiselle]

In daily car repairs, we refer to the gear-shifting component as the shift mechanism. It's not just the gear lever itself, but also includes the linkage below and the mechanical assembly connected to the transmission. Common manual transmission issues include stiff shifting or failure to engage gears, often caused by incomplete clutch depression or worn shift forks. Automatic transmissions are more complex - nowadays electronic shifters like BMW's iconic "big chicken leg" design have no mechanical linkage underneath, relying entirely on electrical signals for control. If you hear a clunking noise during gear changes, check the transmission mount bushings - when those fail, the entire shift mechanism will vibrate.

[SanCamille]

As for the gear shifter, we all call it the 'gear knob' in our car enthusiast group. I've upgraded to a racing-style short-throw shifter—shifts are super crisp, and the metal ball knob feels icy cold, which is incredibly satisfying. Nowadays, electric vehicles are even cooler. Tesla lets you swipe on the touchscreen, Land Rover uses a rotary knob that rises and lowers, and column shifters behind the steering wheel just need a gentle flick. Once you get used to these modern designs, driving a car with a traditional gear lever feels cumbersome. But no matter how the form changes, the essence remains the same: it’s all about commanding the transmission, like flipping a switch to give orders to the engine.