When to Shift Gears in a Manual Transmission?

[SanNathan]

Manual transmissions shift gears based on the vehicle speed. Upshifting: In actual driving, acceleration and upshifting are generally determined by the engine RPM. For rapid acceleration or starting on a steep slope, you can upshift at higher RPMs. For example, if the vehicle is in 4th gear at 50 km/h and you brake to 20 km/h, the RPM will drop to idle speed. At this point, you should shift gears based on the speed to maintain smooth driving. During rapid acceleration or uphill driving, you can delay upshifting for better safety. Downshifting: Downshifting also depends on the engine RPM, typically between 1000-1500 RPM. There's no need to constantly watch the tachometer; when you feel the engine struggling, decisively downshift one gear. When accelerating, lightly press the throttle while releasing the clutch to reduce jerking.