Which Gear to Use When Pulling Over?
3 Answers
When pulling over, use 2nd or 3rd gear. 2nd gear is the low-speed gear for automatic transmissions. When the transmission is in 2nd gear, the vehicle will not shift gears while driving, keeping it fixed in 2nd gear. This gear is excellent for vehicle recovery, low-speed driving, and snow driving, as it is very convenient to switch. Pulling over is a clearly defined assessment item in the road test, requiring the driver to park the vehicle by the roadside. After parking, the vehicle body must not exceed the right edge of the road or the sidewalk edge, and the distance between the vehicle body and the right edge of the road or sidewalk edge must not exceed 30 centimeters.
As a seasoned driver with over a decade of experience, I believe gear selection when pulling over is quite particular, especially with safety being the top priority. I always start by turning on the indicator to alert vehicles behind me, then gradually slow down. For manual transmission cars, I usually downshift to 2nd gear to control speed—this allows the engine to assist with braking, avoiding sudden stops that could harm the car. With automatic transmissions, I simply stay in Drive (D) and apply the brakes. When the car is about to stop, I shift to neutral and engage the handbrake in a manual, or switch to Park (P) in an automatic. On slopes, using a lower gear is especially important to prevent rolling. This habit has helped me avoid several close calls—for instance, once on a rainy, slippery road, downshifting to 2nd provided just the right deceleration for a smooth stop. Beginners should practice this routine in open areas rather than rushing to turn off the engine or shift to reverse. Ultimately, adjusting gears according to conditions is key—developing good habits ensures driving safety.
I currently drive a small Fit for my daily commute, and parallel parking is always a breeze. Before pulling over, I check the mirrors and signal, then slow down using a lower gear: downshift to 1st or 2nd in a manual transmission because lower gears offer more precise speed control; with an automatic, just keep it in D and brake. Once parked, I immediately shift to neutral and engage the handbrake in a manual, or shift to P in an automatic—avoiding leaving it in D with the handbrake on to prevent transmission damage. In the city with heavy traffic and tight spots, matching gear to speed saves time. I prefer parking out of the way first, then fine-tuning. Once during rush hour, an emergency stop in 2nd gear saved me from a rear-end collision—daily experience proves this method is both efficient and safe.
