Changing Gear
Knowing the Gear Positions
Learn to identify gear positions by feel, without looking down.
You can practise this with the engine off and clutch disengaged. Use light, firm pressure — never force the gear lever.
Typical Movements
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1st → 2nd: Apply light pressure to the left to prevent slipping into 4th.
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3rd/2nd → 1st: Apply slight pressure to the left.
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Up to 5th/6th: Apply pressure to the right.
Never force the gear lever. If it resists, pause and try again smoothly.
Avoid:
- Rushing gear changes
- Looking down while changing
- Coasting (Clutch down or neutral)
- Holding the gear lever unnecessarily long
Changing Up (to a Higher Gear)
When to Change Up
Change up as your road speed increases to match the engine’s performance and road conditions. The correct timing varies depending on:
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The vehicle type
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Whether you’re on level ground, uphill, or downhill
Listen to the engine — with experience, you’ll recognise when the sound indicates it’s time to change gear.
How to Change Up
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Place your left hand on the gear lever.
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Press the clutch fully while easing off the accelerator slightly.
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Move the gear lever into the next higher gear.
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Release the clutch smoothly while gently pressing the accelerator.
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Return your left hand to the steering wheel.
Smooth coordination keeps the ride comfortable and the vehicle stable.
Changing Down (to a Lower Gear)
When to Change Down
Change to a lower gear:
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When your speed drops and the current gear lacks power.
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When driving uphill and the engine starts to struggle.
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To increase engine braking on long downhill gradients.
Driving slowly in a high gear makes the engine sluggish and reduces control.
As a general rule, brake first to reduce speed, then select the appropriate lower gear.
When learning, practise changing down through each gear to become familiar with gearbox response.
How to Change Down
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Place your left hand on the gear lever.
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Press the clutch fully and keep light pressure on the accelerator or brake as needed.
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Select the suitable lower gear.
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Release the clutch smoothly, then adjust accelerator or brake pressure as required.
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Return your hand to the steering wheel.
💡 Tip: Never rush gear changes. Smooth, deliberate movements are key to control and passenger comfort.
Finding the Right Gear
Anticipate well ahead. Ask yourself whether the current gear suits your speed, traffic, and road conditions.
Overtaking
Select a lower gear before overtaking to gain the extra acceleration needed for a safe pass.
Avoid changing gear mid-overtake — keep both hands on the wheel for maximum control.
Going Downhill
Select a lower gear before descending. This increases engine braking and improves control, particularly on bends.
General Rule:
Change down if you need more acceleration or your speed drops.
Smooth Gear Changing
Smooth, precise gear changes are the mark of a skilled driver.
Take your time, plan ahead, and avoid unnecessary movement.
Selective (Block) Gear Changing
Modern engines and gearboxes often make it unnecessary to move through every gear sequentially.
Skipping gears — known as block changing — gives you more time to concentrate on the road and keeps both hands on the wheel for longer.
Changing Down
Brake to the desired speed, then select the most appropriate gear.
You may need to maintain light brake pressure while changing down.
Changing Up
You can often skip gears when accelerating, but avoid revving too high or accelerating for too long in lower gears. Doing so:
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Wastes fuel
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Risks mechanical wear
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Can cause wheelspin or loss of control
Common examples:
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Downshifting: 5th → 3rd, 4th → 2nd, or 3rd → 1st
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Upshifting: 1st → 3rd, 2nd → 4th, or 3rd → 5th
The exact pattern depends on your vehicle and driving conditions.
Coasting
Coasting occurs when the vehicle moves without engine power — either with the clutch pressed down or the gear lever in neutral.
Avoid coasting for any distance because:
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You lose control and traction.
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It’s harder to re-engage a gear quickly if needed.
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The vehicle can gather speed downhill, increasing brake wear and reducing engine braking.
A brief moment of coasting during a gear change is normal — but keep it to a minimum.
Over-Run
When the accelerator is lightly pressed and the engine is turning the wheels without full power, the vehicle is said to be on the over-run.
Unlike coasting, control is not lost because the car remains in gear and ready to accelerate or brake using the engine.
Slipping the Clutch
Slipping the clutch means keeping the pedal partially pressed so the clutch isn’t fully engaged.
This is useful for low-speed manoeuvres (e.g., parking or moving off gently), but using it to compensate for being in too high a gear is poor practice and causes excessive wear.
Judgement
With experience, you’ll naturally learn to:
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Select the right gear for the speed and situation.
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Time your changes smoothly.
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Combine clutch, accelerator, and brake use with confidence.
Good drivers change gears calmly, efficiently, and with anticipation — always keeping the car balanced and under full control.