Which gear should be used when driving at 30 mph?

[DiIsabella]

Start the car in 1st gear below 10 mph, and shift to 2nd gear once moving. When the speed exceeds 20 mph in 2nd gear, shift to 3rd gear. 3rd gear is suitable for speeds above 20 mph but below 40 mph, while 4th gear requires reaching 40 mph. 5th gear is for high-speed driving, typically above 60 mph. Shifting gears is not solely based on speed but rather on engine RPM. Generally, when in 4th gear, if the engine RPM exceeds 2000, you can shift to 5th gear. If the engine sounds sluggish, it indicates that the engine is struggling to move the car, and you should downshift to increase engine torque. Conversely, if the engine is whining, you should upshift to reduce engine torque at the same speed. For cars with a displacement of 1.3 liters or more, during acceleration, it is best to shift to 5th gear at a speed of 70–75 km/h. Shifting at this speed ensures that the engine RPM remains between 2000–3000 RPM before and after shifting, balancing both power and fuel efficiency. Shifting below this RPM significantly affects performance due to the power-RPM characteristics of modern car engines.