Changing Gears in a Manual Car

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If you’re still relatively new to learning to drive, changing gear in a manual car can be a little tricky. However, the more you practice and take regular driving lessons, you’ll pick it up quickly.

If you’re struggling with your gear changes, then this article will certainly help you out. As well as this guide, your driving instructor in Oxford will help you to understand how the clutch works. If you’re on your first driving lesson – then chances are, you probably wont be covering higher gear changes.

You’ll focus on the first few gears, going no higher than third.

Why Do I Need to Change Gear?

If you want to drive safely and at a consistent speed then you will need to change gear at some point.

You may have heard the engine in previous cars get louder and louder as the vehicle pulls away. When the engine is to the point when the noise is too loud, it’s a sign that the engine is straining and the car needs to go up a gear.

To pull away, you need the most powerful gear available – gear one.

Cars typically have no more than 6 gears, unless it is extremely powerful. Can gears generally start in the following sequence:

  • 1st Gear
  • 2nd Gear
  • 3rd Gear
  • 4th Gear
  • 5th Gear
  • 6th Gear (Not On Every Car)

What Speed Do I Change Gear:

Every car is different – the car you take your lessons in could be completely different to a vehicle that provides driving lessons in Milton Keynes, so there is no set list of speeds that you should refer to when changing gear.

However, for most cars, you can use these speeds as a rough estimate:

  • First Gear (0mph-10mph)
  • Second Gear (10mph-20mph)
  • Third Gear (20mph-35mph)
  • Fourth Gear (35mph-50mph)
  • Fifth Gear (45mph-50mph+)

If there is an option for a sixth gear – this is generally best used for speeds between 55mph and 60mph. Of course, you should always be aware of the speed limits in place when driving.

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