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LOW RISK DRIVING |
Road Safety PLUS - by Dieter R. Fischer ISBN No. 0 09577 426 0 6 |
| 1. The Basics |
LOW RISK DRIVING Road Safety PLUS - by Dieter R. Fischer ISBN No. 0 09577 426 0 6
1. The Basics
1.4 Gear Changing Made Easy
The skill of operating a vehicle with manual transmission seems a dauting 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:
These figures are guidelines only and may vary between vehicles. Driving uphill calls for extra speed, because the car loses speed during gear changing. Downhill it’s the opposite, gearchange sooner, as gravity will increase speed naturally during gear changing.
- 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 (unless uphill).
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.
Feel the spring as it pushes the gearlever back into the neutral position. This is why first and second gear must be engaged in a back-hand fashion3. Push down the clutch. The faster the better and all the way down.
(see pic. above).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 especially important 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.
Motto: TWENTY IS PLENTY!Steps 2 - 7 are the same as for changing up.
Problems in gear changing are mainly cause by one of the following:
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.
Selecting the wrong gear. Fourth gear is very often engaged instead of second, when not handled in a back-hand fashion.
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.
Keeping the accelerator down, after the clutch has been pushed down. The engine will rev unnecessarily.
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 part of the braking process.
Many new drivers struggle with the clutch and the process of gear changing. But once mastered, it adds a new dimension to the joy of motoring.
Your safety is DRIVING PLUS
Disclaimer: Above information is for Australian learner drivers. Regulations could vary in your part of the world. We take no responsibility for any accidents, failed driving tests, even if the advise in this book has been followed. We recommend to use above information in conjunction with a professional driving instructor.
