Which gear should be used for manual transmission when going uphill?

[IvanAnn]

When driving a manual transmission car uphill, it is recommended to use 3rd gear. The method for driving a manual transmission car uphill is as follows: 1. With the gear in 1st, press the brake pedal to prevent rolling back; 2. Press the clutch pedal all the way down and start the engine; 3. Slowly release the clutch pedal; 4. When the car starts to shake, keep the left foot steady on the clutch pedal and release the handbrake at the same time; 5. Move the right foot from the brake pedal to the accelerator pedal, gently press the accelerator and move forward slowly; 6. When the car starts to move forward, gradually increase the accelerator with the right foot while gradually releasing the clutch pedal with the left foot; 7. When the car reaches sufficient speed, shift up gradually. Manual transmission uses a manual shift mechanical gearbox to adjust the speed. By manually moving the gear lever, the gear engagement position inside the gearbox is changed to alter the gear ratio, thereby achieving the purpose of shifting gears.

[ElijahLee]

The most important thing when driving uphill is to keep the engine powerful. In this case, first gear provides the most torque but is slower, making it suitable for very steep starting slopes. Normally, second gear is the most stable, as the engine won't roar excessively and still has enough power to pull the car. I've seen many beginners panic and shift to third gear when climbing, only for the car to shake and eventually stall. If the slope is moderate, third gear can also work, but you need to press the accelerator more to keep the RPM above 2,500. Don't rush to shift gears when nearing the top of the slope—wait until the car has fully climbed and is moving smoothly before upshifting. If the car stalls halfway up the slope, remember to press the brake firmly, engage the handbrake, and start slowly in first gear for the safest restart.

[DelRosalie]

When climbing a slope, you must assess the gradient first. For short and steep slopes, use first gear to power up as taught in driving school, since the transmission delivers maximum torque in this gear. For gentle slopes like typical urban overpasses, second gear is more comfortable, maintaining engine speed between 2,000 to 3,000 RPM for optimal performance. On long, gradual slopes, you can shift to third gear, but insufficient throttle will cause the engine to struggle. Always listen to the engine—if it sounds labored, the gear is too high, and you should downshift. As a mechanic, I often see novices burning clutch plates due to incorrect gear selection, which happens when the engine is overworked. For downhill slopes, use lower gears to control speed, especially on continuous descents.

[CooperMarie]

Gradient determines gear! For steep slopes over 30 degrees, first gear is a must, otherwise stalling and rolling back mid-way is extremely dangerous. For ordinary slopes around 10 degrees, second gear is just right—this has been my approach driving manual for ten years. On long uphill mountain roads with significant gradient changes, always be ready to downshift. Third gear performs poorly when accelerating on slopes; it's more effective to downshift and rev the engine. Keep a close eye on the tachometer—if RPM drops below 1500, downshift immediately and add throttle. When climbing fully loaded, drop a gear due to the increased engine load. Avoid shifting gears near the crest of a slope to prevent power interruption.