When & how to change gear

Knowing how to change gear and when is something you'll cover within your first few driving lessons.

Learn the theory behind it now so that your driving instructor doesn't have to tell you every little detail. This way you'll do more driving on your lesson and less talking.

Selecting the correct gear.

The gear you select must be appropriate for your speed and road conditions. As a general guide on a level road:

1st gear - moving off from stationary and speeds below approximately 10mph. Provides maximum pulling power.

2nd gear - approximately 10-20mph. Also used in slow-moving traffic or where greater control is needed.

3rd gear - approximately 20-30mph. Useful approaching junctions and roundabouts.

4th gear - approximately 30mph upwards on 30mph roads once up to speed.

5th/6th gear - faster roads, dual carriageways and motorways at appropriate speeds.

These figures will vary depending on the vehicle, gradient, load and conditions. With experience, selecting the correct gear becomes instinctive.

Changing up to a higher gear.

Change up as your speed increases. If you stay in a low gear beyond the appropriate speed, the engine will over-rev and use more fuel.

Use the sound of the engine as your guide. When the engine note rises and sounds as though it is working hard, select the next higher gear. On a petrol engine, change up before the rev counter reaches 2,500rpm, or around 2,000rpm on a diesel.

Do not change up too early. Selecting a higher gear before sufficient speed has been reached will cause the engine to labour and the car to feel unresponsive. In severe cases the engine may stall.

Changing down to a lower gear.

Select a lower gear when your speed reduces or when more engine power is needed. As a general guide, change to 2nd when your speed falls below approximately 20mph and to 1st below approximately 10mph.

If you remain in too high a gear as your speed drops, the engine will begin to shudder - known as labouring - and may stall. Change down before this occurs.

You may also need to change down on steep hills. If the engine begins to struggle or produces a low, laboured sound, select the next gear down to restore pulling power.

Block changing - selecting a gear more than one step lower - is acceptable. For example, slowing from 40mph to a near stop at a junction, you may change directly from 4th to 1st. Always ensure your speed matches the gear you are selecting.

Familiarise yourself with the gear positions.

Before driving, make sure you know the position of each gear. Practise moving the gear lever through all positions with the engine off and the car stationary. You should be able to select any gear without looking down at the lever.

Glancing down at the gear lever while driving means your attention is off the road. A competent driver selects gears by feel at all times.

Co-ordinating the controls.

Smooth gear changing requires co-ordination of the accelerator, clutch and gear lever. Press the clutch pedal fully down before selecting the new gear, then raise it smoothly and progressively. Release the accelerator as you press the clutch and reapply it as you bring the clutch up. Harsh or hurried movements will produce a jerky, uncomfortable change.