Which gear is most suitable for overtaking?

[DiWalker]

Cars should use fourth gear when overtaking because fifth gear has the highest speed and requires the most engine power, but the engine speed cannot keep up at this time. Using second or third gear for overtaking would result in too low a speed, so fourth gear is the best choice. Correct method for overtaking: Before overtaking, increase your speed and approach the left side of the vehicle you are overtaking, maintaining a following distance of no more than 20 meters. Turn on the left turn signal and sound the horn. After confirming that the vehicle ahead yields or signals to let you pass, steer to the left, maintaining a certain lateral distance from the vehicle being overtaken, and accelerate to pass from the left side. After overtaking, continue driving straight, and when you have reached a safe distance of 20 to 50 meters ahead of the overtaken vehicle, turn on the right turn signal and return to the original lane. Before overtaking, choose a road with good visibility, straight and wide, with no obstacles on either side, and no oncoming vehicles within 200 meters ahead. Do not overtake when passing through intersections, sharp curves, or other hazardous sections, or when the vehicle ahead signals a left turn, U-turn, or is overtaking another vehicle.

[LaConnor]

After driving for so many years, I find that downshifting to third or fourth gear is most suitable for overtaking. The reason is simple: lower gears allow the engine to rev higher, providing stronger acceleration. For example, when you're driving at around 60 km/h, shifting to fourth gear and stepping on the gas will make the car surge forward immediately, making overtaking much quicker. If you're in too high a gear, like fifth, pressing the accelerator won't give much response, prolonging the overtaking time and increasing the risk. Safety is paramount—before overtaking, check the rearview mirror to ensure no cars are approaching, and choose a straight section of road to pass, avoiding blind curves. Additionally, considering the engine's characteristics, higher RPM ranges deliver stronger power output, similar to sprinting in running, ensuring more stable acceleration. This is how I usually operate: decisive gear shifts, but without rushing—practice makes perfect. In short, adjust according to speed: fourth gear above 60 km/h and third gear below 50 km/h is the safest approach.

[BraxtonMarie]

When I drive my manual transmission car for overtaking, the tried-and-true method is using third gear—it works like a charm below 50 km/h. For higher speeds around 70 km/h, fourth gear delivers better performance, accelerating like a rocket and saving precious overtaking time. Once, I attempted to overtake a large truck in fifth gear, but even with the pedal to the metal, the car crawled sluggishly, nearly causing a rear-end collision. Luckily, a timely downshift saved the day. Since then, I’ve made it a habit to glance at the speedometer before shifting gears, making the process effortless. Safety details matter: always signal early with the turn indicator, check mirrors to ensure clearance, and avoid overtaking in tunnels. Controlling power like this in a small car offers far more flexibility than an automatic, with smoother acceleration. Master these techniques, and overtaking becomes a breeze.

[LaylaRose]

Downshifting to a lower gear like third or fourth is the safest and most efficient way to overtake, as it allows for quicker acceleration and reduces the time spent side by side with other vehicles. I often shift to fourth gear at around 60 km/h to accelerate, passing the car in an instant. Safety should never be overlooked—choose open sections of the road to overtake and maintain sufficient distance. From an economic standpoint, higher RPMs may consume a bit more fuel, but the brief duration of overtaking actually makes it more fuel-efficient overall. Just ensure your operation is steady.