Using the gears

By the end of this topic you can

• You can change up and down smoothly without looking at the gear lever.
• You can choose a suitable gear for your speed and the road.
• You can use block changes to skip gears when appropriate.
• You can pick a lower gear for steep hills and slow manoeuvres.

What you need to know and understand

• First gear is for moving off and very slow movement. Higher gears are for higher speeds.
• Listen to the engine: labouring means change down, racing means change up.
• Exact change points vary by car. Your ADI and the handbook will guide you.
• Slow down first using the brakes, then choose the gear for the new speed.
• Block changing means going directly to the gear you need, such as fifth to third.
• Do not coast in neutral or with the clutch down. Keep the car in gear.

Changing gear smoothly

Keep your eyes on the road throughout. Learn the gear pattern by feel in a parked car.

1. Ease off the accelerator and press the clutch fully down.
2. Move the lever to the new gear with your palm, guiding it gently.
3. Raise the clutch smoothly.
4. Press the accelerator again as the clutch comes up.
5. Return your hand to the wheel.

Which gear when

As a rough guide in many cars, second suits speeds up to about 20 to 30 km/h, third suits about 30 to 50 km/h and fourth and fifth suit higher speeds. These are only approximate. Go by the engine sound and your instructor's advice for your car.

When approaching a junction, use the footbrake to reduce speed first, then select the gear for the speed you are now doing. You do not need to go down through every gear in order.

Hills and slow driving

Uphill, change down before the engine starts to struggle so you keep momentum. Downhill, a lower gear lets engine braking help hold your speed, so you do not overheat the brakes. In slow traffic and during manoeuvres, first or second gear with good clutch control gives the most precise control.

Common mistakes

• Looking down at the gear lever while changing.
• Changing down through every gear one by one when approaching a junction.
• Staying in a high gear when the engine is labouring up a hill.
• Coasting in neutral down hills or to junctions.

Test yourself: Using the gears

Answer each question, then read the explanation. Questions come in a random order each time.