Which gear is most suitable for overtaking?
2 Answers
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.
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.
