Knowing when to change gears is one of the most complicated things about driving a car. If you're still learning to drive or have only just got your licence, then gears might still be a bit intimidating to you, as it can be tricky to know if you're doing the right thing in certain situations.
Even if changing gears while on the road is second nature to you as a seasoned driver, knowing exactly why you're dropping down to second gear or going up to fifth isn't always a question you can answer. But there is a very specific reason why you might need to raise or lower the gear you're driving in.
The most basic thing you need to remember is that the faster your car is going, the higher your gear needs to be. For example, second gear is used for low speeds of up to 20mph, while fifth gear is reserved for high speeds of 40-70mph, which is most commonly used on dual carriageways and motorways.
But there are some other instances where you might want to be in a lower gear than you would normally need to be in, and it's important to know when these situations might arise.
Thankfully, one driving instructor on TikTok has shared a simple seven-word phrase you can use to help you remember what low gears are used for.
Annie Winterburn, an experienced driving instructor and theory expert, said the most important thing to remember about lower gears is that they send more power to your wheels, but offer lower speeds.
The seven-word phrase she wants people to remember is: "Lower gears give power and engine braking."
She explained: "The lower gears in your car send more power to your wheels. You need more power when you're going up a steep hill, or if you want to speed up quickly. So lower gears give more power.
"Lower gears also give you more engine braking. You need engine braking when you're going down a steep hill."
Annie added that the only time you should consider using a higher gear than normal for the speed you're travelling at is if you're driving in icy conditions. Higher gears can help to stop your wheels from spinning on ice and can help you have more control over your vehicle than you would have in a lower gear.
She said: "You need a lower gear for going up a steep hill, a lower gear for going down a steep hill, and a lower gear to speed up quickly. But you would use a higher gear than normal when you're driving on ice to prevent your wheels from spinning."
Lower gears send more power to your wheels and lower gears give you engine braking #Driving #Theory #DrivingTheory #TheoryTest #TheoryTestPractice
Changing gears can vary from car to car based on the power of the engine. But according to Bill Plant Driving School, the general rule of thumb is that gears should change with the speed of your car. The general rule is:
First gear is used for starting your car and pulling away. Generally, you should not use it to drive, and you should change to second gear almost straight away after you start driving.
The experts said: "You should always listen to your car. If you're revving your car and it's making high-pitched noises, you'll probably need to go up a gear."