Low-Risk Driving  a skill for LIFE 

- - - - - - - - - - Road Safety by Dieter Fischer - - - - - - - - - -

ISBN No. 0 09577 426 06   

   Your  SAFETY is  Driving

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A.4  GEAR CHANGING - made easy

The skill of operating a vehicle with manual transmission seems a daunting task to many new drivers. With a little patience and persistence every healthy, reasonably co-coordinated, person can learn it.

The main function of the gears is to give you more speed and power. The strongest gear is first gear, then second, third and so on. The idea is to speed up from first gear to second, to third etc. until you reach normal cruising speed. In a five-speed gearbox the suggested speed range is as follows:

 

Suggested Speed-range for changing gears:

Up to 20 km/h - first gear

40 km/h - second gear

55 km/h - third gear

70 km/h - fourth gear

over 70 km/h - fifth gear

These figures are guidelines only; it varies according to the vehicle.

Driving uphill calls for extra speed, because the car loses speed during gear changing.

Downhill it’s the opposite - gear change at a lower speed. Gravity will increase speed naturally during gear-changing.

 First and second gears is best engaged by cradling the gear lever in a back-hand fashion as shown! 

 

 

 

Feel the spring as it pushes the gearlever back into the neutral position. This is why first and second gear is best engaged in a back-hand fashion (see pic. above).

(Thanks to my neighbour, who lend me a hand). 

     The seven steps for gear-changing up:

1. Reach the correct speed. If you cannot hear the sound of the  engine, read the speedometer to change at the correct speed.

2. Position your left hand on the gearlever. For changing to first or second gear, place your hand in a back-hand fashion, as shown. Don’t use fingers or hold the knob tightly. A smoother change is achieved by feeling the gearlever and guiding it with the palm of your hand.

3. Push down the clutch. The faster the better and all the way down.

4. Right foot off accelerator. Do it fast, a split second after ‘clutch down’.

5. Shift the gear lever with a little pause in neutral, to achieve a smoother change.

6. Press accelerator and bring up clutch. Apply sufficient power (the lower the gear the more power) and a pause half-way up, as the clutch engages (most importantly in lower gears, as these are very strong).

7. Keep accelerating. Repeat procedure in each gear until cruising speed has been reached.

Gear changing down is different to changing up, in that you do not have to select each intermediate gear (fourth to third to second etc). Simply, reach the correct speed (by braking), then select the correct gear.

Remember, brake and clutch have no direct link. You may still need to brake, while already pressing the clutch to change gear. This is when gear changing downhill.

Step 1 for gear changing down: Brake to correct the speed. For most suburban corners, brake to 20 km/h and start to gear change about 20 meters before the corner to be ready for turning in second gear.

Steps 2 - 7: Same as for changing up!

 

 Problems in gear changing are mainly cause by one of the following: 

1. Trying to change at the incorrect speed. This happens often when changing uphill. Because speed is being lost, learner drivers rush the gear change and make mistakes.

2. Selecting the wrong gear. Fourth gear is very often engaged instead of second, when not handled in a back-hand fashion.

3. Dropping the clutch on engagement. Many learners don’t hold the clutch at the halfway point on engagement. This results in a jolt, especially in first and second gears. The root cause of this problem may stem from not keeping the ankle firm on engaging the clutch and/or not bending the knee to do so. 

4. Keeping the accelerator down, after the clutch has been pushed down. The engine will rev unnecessarily.

5. Lifting the foot off the accelerator and then pressing down the clutch. The engine is suddenly starved of petrol. 

Lifting off the accelerator when the clutch is engaged (decelerating) must be done very slowly for the engine to respond gently. Decelerating is an important factor in the process of slowing a vehicle.

Many new drivers struggle with the clutch and the process of gear changing. But once mastered:

  Gear-changing adds a new dimension to the joy of motoring! 

 

Disclaimer: Above could vary in your part of the world. We take no responsibility for any accidents or failed driving tests, even if the advise in this book has been followed. We recommend you use above information in conjunction with a professional driving instructor. 

Site copyright ©driving-school.com.au  2001 / Revised 2010

 Here is a little test to remember what you have learned. Firstly, answer the True / False question. Secondly, using the letter beside the correct answer, form a word. All answers are on  this page!

  T>   V

 Gears give the vehicle more power and speed.   F>   D
  T>   T The clutch must be pressed down slowly for smooth gear change.   F>   I
  T>   T Guide the gearlever with the palm of your hand.   F>   H
  T>   E Changing down gears it is best to go from 4th to 3rd to 2nd.   F>   A
  T>   L The clutch is part of the connection between engine and wheels.   F>   W

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