Why is Third Gear Considered the Universal Gear?

[Rodger]

Typically, when driving in urban areas, the speed ranges from 40 to 60 kilometers per hour. At this speed, a manual transmission car can consistently use third gear, hence why it's referred to as the universal gear. Additionally, during driving, this gear can cover most speed ranges, allowing almost the entire journey to be completed in third gear. Sometimes, even at speeds up to 70 km/h, third gear can be used for short periods, avoiding the need for frequent gear changes. Essentially, third gear can handle almost all situations. The differences between manual and automatic transmissions are as follows: 1. Transmission: Manual transmission vehicles differ from automatics in that gear changes require manual intervention, whereas automatics can shift gears based on speed automatically. Specifically, each gear in a manual transmission corresponds to a certain speed range, and adhering to this is ideal. However, in daily driving, frequent gear changes may not be necessary, so many drivers opt to stay in a middle gear, which explains why third gear is considered universal. 2. Speed Ranges for Each Gear: Generally, first gear is used for speeds below 10 km/h, which is also the starting gear. When speeds range between 10 to 20 km/h, second gear is appropriate. For speeds between 20 to 40 km/h, third gear is recommended. Speeds from 40 to 60 km/h can be handled in fourth gear, and anything beyond that can use fifth gear. Hence, on highways, manual transmissions are typically shifted to fifth gear. On regular roads, where speeds fluctuate less drastically, many drivers prefer to stay in third gear to avoid the hassle of frequent shifting. 3. Impact of High RPM on the Engine: Continuously using third gear at higher speeds will cause the tachometer to rise. It's important to monitor whether the RPM enters the red zone, in which case upshifting is necessary. In practice, even at speeds above 60 km/h, the tachometer usually doesn't reach the red zone, so the impact on the engine is minimal. However, if unusual noises are heard, it's advisable to shift to a higher gear.