Changing gear: driving skills

ALL DRIVING SKILLS

Changing gear

First gear provided the power you needed for pulling the weight of the car away. As you build up speed you don’t need so much power, so you can change up through the higher gears. To gain confidence, practise gear changes on fairly quiet, level roads.

Changing up

The procedure for changing up from a low to a higher gear is always the same

To change from first to second, grip the wheel a little more firmly with your right hand and, keeping your eyes on the road, cup your left hand over the gear lever

ready. Push the clutch down quickly and at the same time take your foot off the gas pedal. Using gentle pressure, move the gear lever from first into second.

Raise the clutch smoothly to the top and then press the accelerator gently to increase the engine speed.

Put your left hand back on to the wheel.

Second gear will allow you to accelerate a little more until you are ready to move to third and so on. Remember to use the palm of your hand to move the gear.

Changing down

The procedure for changing down from a high to a lower gear will depend on whether or not the car has been slowed by braking. As a general rule, you should

use the foot brake to reduce speed before changing down to the appropriate gear. However, braking need not always precede a downward gear change. You may slow down simply by easing off the gas as you approach a hazard.

To practise changing down the gears you will need to move off and build

your speed up until you are driving at about 30 mph in fourth gear. Your

supervisor should help by keeping a lookout, making sure it is safe for you to

carry out each step of the exercise.

Changing down whilst slowing down

Remember to grip the steering wheel a little more firmly with your right hand. When safe, ease off the accelerator pedal and begin gentle braking so that the

car slows to about 20 mph. Keeping your eyes on the road, cup your left hand over the gear lever ready.

Push the clutch down quickly and at the same time move the gear lever from fourth into third. Raise the clutch pedal smoothly and return your right foot to the accelerator pedal or continue braking as appropriate.

Bring your left hand back to the steering wheel.

Check the mirror to make sure it is safe and repeat the exercise, slowing

to around 10 mph and changing from third to second gear.

Block gear changes

You don’t need to change down through the gears in order. It is preferable when slowing down to brake to the desired speed and then select the appropriate gear. Move off and build up your speed

until you are travelling at about 30 mph in fourth gear. Check the mirrors to make sure it is safe and brake gently to slow the car down to about 10 mph.

Release the brake and change from fourth gear into second.

If safe, build up your speed, changing up through the gears, until you reach about 30 mph again. Keep practising until you can carry out the exercise smoothly and confidently.

Changing from third to first gear

To practise this exercise you will need to move off and build up your speed

until you are driving along at about 20 mph in third gear. If safe, brake gently

to slow the car down until you have almost stopped. Push the clutch down,

keep it down and release the brake so the car keeps rolling forwards very slowly. Just before the car stops, change from third gear into first.

When safe, accelerate gently to build up speed again. Change up through the gears until you reach about 20 mph in third so that you can practise again. Keep practising the exercise until you feel confident.

Changing down under acceleration

Sometimes you need to select a lower gear because you anticipate needing

more power. You might need to have a reserve of power to overtake another

vehicle, or you could be approaching a hill and need more power for the

upward slope.

Cup your left hand on the gear lever ready, push the clutch pedal down

fully and at the same time keep a little pressure on the accelerator pedal.

Select the appropriate lower gear, and then raise the clutch pedal smoothly

as you increase pressure on the accelerator. You will practise this exercise in the next stage.

Knowing when to change gear is just as important as knowing how to

change. Listening to the engine will help the driver know when to change.

With experience you will learn to anticipate hazards in the road ahead and

select appropriate gears for the conditions It is inadvisable to drive for prolonged periods with your left foot resting on the clutch pedal. Try to get into the good habit of placing your left foot on the floor away from the clutch pedal after each gear change. READ MORE

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