What to Do When There is a Car in Front During Gear Shifting?
3 Answers
Here are the methods to handle a car in front during gear shifting: 1. When shifting up with a car in front: If there is a sufficiently long safe distance during driving, you can continue to shift up to 4th gear and maintain a safe following distance. If the safe distance is insufficient, you can turn on the left turn signal, shift up, change lanes, and overtake. If the vehicle ahead also accelerates, abandon the overtaking and return to the original lane. Note that during the driving test (Subject 3), if the system does not announce an overtaking or the examiner does not require it, do not overtake without permission. 2. When shifting down with a car in front: You can lightly apply the brake, switch to the corresponding gear, and continue to maintain a safe following distance.
Before shifting gears, I usually observe the road conditions and make a judgment in advance when I see a car ahead. If there's still some distance to the car in front and the speed is appropriate, I shift gears smoothly and make the movements as clean and efficient as possible. However, if the car in front is already very close, I will first apply the brakes to slow down and maintain a safe distance, ensuring I don't get too close. Only when the distance increases or the road conditions are safe will I consider shifting gears. Sometimes, in slow-moving traffic or congestion, I even intentionally keep the car in a lower gear so that releasing the throttle slows the car down, avoiding frequent gear shifts that could distract me. Remember, steering wheel and throttle control are always more important than shifting gears. It's better to shift gears a bit later than to take unnecessary risks.
When driving a manual transmission car and encountering a vehicle blocking the way ahead, I pay extra attention to the distance and speed matching. First, I assess the dynamic of the car in front: if it's driving steadily, I can shift gears normally without issues. However, if the car ahead suddenly slows down or comes to a complete stop, I don't rush to shift gears but focus on controlling the speed, gently applying the brakes to slow the car down within a safe distance. Once the road conditions allow, I then proceed with gear shifting. Additionally, I recommend that novice drivers develop the habit of not completely releasing the throttle with their right foot when shifting gears, always being ready to move to the brake pedal. This way, even if the car ahead stops abruptly, you won't be caught off guard.
