Gear shifting in a car - how to do it right? Driver's guide

Correct switching in practice

It is based on the synchronization of engine rotation, clutch and the moment of switching the correct gear with a jack. In vehicles equipped with a manual shift lever, shifting occurs at the request of the driver.. When the clutch is pressed, a mechanism is activated that provides smooth gear changes. The clutch disc is disconnected from the flywheel and torque is not transmitted to the gearbox. After that, you can easily change gears.

The car is running - you throw it into one

When starting off, the driver does not press the gas pedal, because the engine is idling and does not move in any direction. So the matter is simplified. Fully depress the clutch for smooth gear shifting and move the lever into first gear.

How to release the clutch so that it does not pull?

W When starting off, you must simultaneously press the gas pedal and release the clutch. At first, this task causes some difficulties. You have probably seen many times how driving school cars make so-called kangaroos. Novice drivers or those who are used to automatics do not know how to release the clutch so that it does not twitch. This requires intuition and some experience. Over time, this problem disappears, the ride becomes smooth, and driving becomes a pleasure.

Vehicle gear up

One won't get you far. Therefore, you need to learn how to shift to higher gears. How to change 1 to 2, 2 to 3, 3 to 4, 4 to 5 or 5 to 6? Many drivers do not forget to take their foot off the accelerator pedal at all. And the previously mentioned kangaroos may appear again. Fast gear shifting takes practice. Practice, train, and once you learn how to let go of the clutch so it doesn't twitch, upshifting won't be a problem.

But back to the issue of quick upshifts. Therefore fully depress the clutch and firmly move the lever towards second gear. With decisive and quick shifts of the car's gears, you will not feel a change in speed, even if you are driving uphill.

How to downshift in a car?

Downshifting should be as smooth as in a car. While the power of the hand when accelerating the car comes from the wrist, in the case of downshifting, it must come from the hand. Of course, we are talking about shifting gears in a straight line. Also, do not forget to release the clutch so that it does not twitch, but focus primarily on the smooth and decisive movement of the lever. Remember to downshift when using the brake. It's a little different when you maneuver the jack diagonally. Such cuts are usually driven down. Don't zigzag the stick, just make a straight line. Thus, the move will always be accurate and fast.

Shifting gears in a car with a faulty clutch

If you are a driver, your clutch may have failed while driving. What to do then? First, you can not shift into gear while the engine is running. nturn it off and then shift into 1st or 2nd gear Start the engine in gear, remembering that the car will start immediately. It may twitch a little at first, but then you will be able to ride smoothly. Again, pay attention to pressing the gas and releasing the clutch so that it doesn't jerk and the car doesn't jump around like a kangaroo.

How to shift gears in a car without a clutch?

It may seem strange to you, but shifting gears in a car without a clutch is also possible. However, this requires intuition and strict adherence to recommendations. The gearbox synchronizers will help you with this. When driving in first or second gear, add gas and take your foot off the pedal. Then, with a confident movement, knock out the stick from the specified gear and quickly return it to its place. The key here is to match the RPM of the engine to the speed of the vehicle so that the car has no problem accelerating.

Remember that this solution is only an emergency way to shift gears. It should not be used as a replacement for the traditional form of shifting in a car. In this way, you can contribute to too rapid wear of the clutch and gearbox.

Consequences of incorrect gear shifting in a car

Improper use of the clutch pedal, accelerator and shift lever can adversely affect many components. First of all, when changing the direction of the drive, the clutch disc and pressure plate may suffer. If the driver is not in the habit of taking their foot off the accelerator when depressing the clutch, this can lead to faster wear of the clutch disc. Such shifting of gears in the car over time leads to the phenomenon of slipping of the clutch and interferes with normal driving.

The pressure can also be out of control, especially when the driver likes to start with squealing tires. Then he cuts into first gear and sharply presses the gas almost to the floor. This instant transfer of power to the clutch can cause permanent damage to the clutch.

The gearbox can also suffer from incorrect gear shifting. This can happen when the driver does not fully depress the clutch. Then the mechanism is not sufficiently disengaged and characteristic metallic sounds of elements rubbing against each other are heard. In severe cases, this can lead to the gears falling out and the complete destruction of the gearbox.

As you can see, the correct gear shift in a car is not at all so simple, which is why many opt for an automatic lever. Learn how to downshift and how to release and push clutchso as not to twitch, then practicing the skills of shifting a car in practice are necessary steps if you want to avoid breakdowns and costly repairs. This knowledge will be useful for both novice drivers and advanced drivers. In fact, every driver should read these rules from time to time and check their driving style.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you shift gears out of order?

It is not necessary to shift gears sequentially, and sometimes it is even advisable to skip intermediate gears. While higher gears can be skipped (e.g. shifting from 3rd to 5th), there is no point in skipping lower gears (shifting from 1st to 3rd will cause too much rev drop). 

How to downshift before a turn?

You must enter the turn at a speed that allows you to control the vehicle. Before turning, slow down to about 20/25 km/h and shift into second gear.

Clutch or brake first?

Before stopping the vehicle, first depress the brake pedal and then depress the clutch to downshift and come to a complete stop without stopping the engine.