How to chage gear

by: Tim HillerbyMorgan

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Date: Sun, 27 Dec 2009 Time: 7:41 PM - 0 comments

The gear stick matches the speed of the engine to the speed of the car. It moves the cogs in the gearbox to allow the engine to work efficiently.

You will see a small ball at the top of the gear stick. The gear stick is designed so that you only need to guide the stick onto place. If you have the palm of your hand facing, where you want the gear stick to go - it will go there.

You will see the numbers 1 to 5 and the letter R on the ball of the gear stick. These are the gears. First gear gives a lot of power and little speed. Fifth gear gives a lot of speed and little power. The gears are set out in an H pattern. The Reverse is the R to one side. This H tells you where to aim the gear stick to choose that gear.

How to Change Gears

Clutch down and off gas at the same time Hand on gear stick Move the stick into the new gear Hand on steering wheel More gas less clutch

When to change gear

Set off in first gear. Into second as soon as you can. If the car sounds fast and high-pitched, use a higher gear. Use a lower gear if the car is struggling. Ask your driving instructor for the speed ranges for each gear.

You may need a lower gear going up or down hill

Try block gear changing. This is missing out gears to make the car work more efficiently. You know you will have to stop at the lights - so slow down into gear and change straight to first just before you stop.

Using the Clutch

The clutch is the pedal on the left. You operate it with your left foot. It operates two plates in the gearbox. These plates join the power and drive parts of the engine together. When you press the pedal down, the clutch plates move apart allowing you to change gear.

The Clutch allows you to change gear

It allows you to control the speed of the car. This is useful when travelling in slow moving traffic or in manoeuvres. Ask your instructor to let you try moving and stopping the car using the clutch.

It helps you move off when you are on a steep hill.

Which gear do I use?

There is no right or wrong answer to this question. Each gear covers a range of speeds. Older cars have a narrower range. That is why older drivers will tell you that third covers twenty to thirty. You might need the gears to help older cars brake. The gearing in modern cars covers a wider range of speeds. Third might cover from 15 to 40. There are two things to think about when changing gear. Listen and feel the engine. If the car sounds and feels as though it is straining change up a gear. The engine will have a higher tone. If the car is sluggish, change down a gear. You must balance the engines needs with the road ahead. Try to select the right gear for the road conditions. There is little point changing up a gear as you approach traffic lights that have been green for some time.