What is the relationship between gear and speed?
2 Answers
The relationship between car gear and speed is as follows: 1. First gear: 0 to 15km/h, used for starting the car or going uphill, not suitable for prolonged use. 2. Second gear: 15 to 25km/h, this speed can be used when turning, and can also be used in some special weather conditions. 3. Third gear: 25 to 35km/h, this speed can be used when passing through intersections, and third gear can also be used on roads with slight slopes. 4. Fourth gear: 35 to 40km/h, this is the normal driving speed, and fourth gear can be used when there are relatively more vehicles on the road. 5. Fifth gear: Can be used at speeds above 40km/h, usually as the normal driving speed, and the speed can be increased by pressing the accelerator in areas with good road conditions.
The relationship between gears and speed is like adjusting the gears on a bicycle to match your pedaling pace. When I drive, I find that lower gears are equivalent to climbing mode. Starting or moving slowly requires 1st or 2nd gear, where the engine runs at higher RPMs, delivering more power but not much speed. At medium speeds, like 40 km/h in the city, shifting to 3rd or 4th gear feels smoother, and the engine isn’t as strained. On the highway at 80 km/h or above, jumping into 5th or 6th gear (higher gears) lowers the engine RPM, saving fuel and reducing noise. Never engage a high gear at low speeds—it can stall the engine. Conversely, using a low gear at high speeds makes the engine roar, wastes fuel, and harms the car. This principle is rooted in the design of the transmission—each gear shift changes the gear ratio to match power output with tire demand. When I was learning to drive, I didn’t grasp this well and often jerked the car. Now, automatic transmissions help a lot, but I still prefer to feel the manual control sometimes.
