Hello, I'm Chris. In this video, I'm going to share with you some tips and tricks on
how to change gear quickly and smoothly. These techniques will help you feel more confident
behind the wheel and enjoy a smoother drive. So let's get straight into it. Here's a tip that's
a bit difficult at first but it will help you change up a gear without losing speed, it just
takes a bit of practice and experience and is a little more advanced than what I've shown before.
If it's safe on the next road, I'm going to accelerate up to 60 miles
per hour. I'll demonstrate it first, then talk you through what I'm doing.
Let's see that again. For a quick smooth gear change up, I press the gas before lifting off the
clutch completely so that I don't let the revs drop down too much. Now I've got enough speed
to go from a second straight to fourth. Up to fifth. A little gas before releasing the clutch.
It's smooth and I don't lose any speed. I'll show you when I change up to sixth.
Off gas, clutch down, sixth gear, a little gas, clutch up gently.
If you change up gears whilst you're accelerating, so still pressing the gas
as you press the clutch, the car will rev up and could cause it to jolt like this.
Not good. So it's off gas, clutch down, change gear, before fully releasing the clutch add gas.
How much to rev it varies from car to car but you don't want to let the revs drop too
low if you want a smooth gear change without losing speed. Although instead of constantly
checking the rev counter I rely a lot on the sound of the engine, but that does take a bit
of practice and experience. If you do need to check the rev counter then obviously make
sure it's a quick glance so that you keep your eyes on the road as much as possible.
Revving it a little when changing up a gear isn't always necessary in a modern car because when you
release the gas to change gear like this, the revs don't drop that quickly anyway. So even
without adding gas, it will still be smooth as long as you release the clutch gently,
you just won't pick up speed as quick. But every car is different.
When it comes to changing down gears,
adding a little gas can really help move out the gear change. Fifth to third.
Straight to sixth.
Before you release the clutch completely, add a little gas and it'll get rid of any jerks. But
don't give it too much gas or the car will rev too high and could cause it to jerk.
To change down smoothly, the amount of revs I've got when changing is important.
I'm changing at just over 2000 revs. Before the clutch is fully released I'll rev it to about
3000. So revving it a little higher than it was. This time I'm changing down to third. The revs
are just below 3000. So before fully releasing the clutch, I'll get the revs just below four.
A nice smooth gear change, didn't even feel it. By adding a little gas while changing down, the
engine speed is increased and smoothly matched to the wheel speed making for a smoother gear change.
Revving the engine when changing gear takes a lot of practice to get it smooth.
You might find that it actually makes for a more jerky drive when
you first practice it. And you might take a bit of time to get it right
but once you're a more experienced driver then it can really take your driving of a manual car
to the next level. But be prepared though, it can take a bit of trial and error and of course, only
practice when it's safe as you don't want to get distracted by it and start driving dangerously.
As I said earlier, don't stare at the rev counter. Just quick glances so you can keep your eyes on
the road as much as possible. With experience, you'll get used to the sound of the engine
and you won't have to look at the rev counter. This time I'm going downhill
and I want the lower gear to keep me slow. So I won't add gas, just raise the clutch gently
hold it at a biting point for a second until the revs go up and then release the clutch.
Let's see that again. Raise the clutch to the biting point, hold it for a second until
the revs go up and then raise the clutch all the way. A smooth gear change without any jerkiness.
Changing gear quickly doesn't mean that you should be rough with the gears like this.
You shouldn't have to put too much strength into it.
Think carefully which gear for the situation instead of changing through all the gears.
Changing down to first, a little gas before fully releasing the clutch.
Down to third. A little gas before fully releasing the clutch.
Up to fourth, a little gas before fully releasing the clutch.
A speed limit change up to 50 miles per hour coming up.
Change down to third to help accelerate. I've got enough speed to get straight up to fifth.
Bird in the road. Now down to third gear for the bend,
this will provide more acceleration power after the bend and then straight up to fourth.
Slow down and change down to third before the bend, now accelerate and back up to fourth.
The speed limit is now 60 miles per hour it looks safe, good conditions, let's make some progress.
Braking, down to third gear for the bend. Add gas before fully releasing
the clutch makes it smooth but then off gas to slow down for the bend.
Accelerate and now I've got enough speed to go from third straight to fifth.
Down to third for the bend.
Accelerate, straight back up to fifth.
That was some fast, safe and smooth driving in the countryside
but let's now have a look at how to change gears smoothly in slower residential areas.
Changing down to first on the move can cause it to jerk. Slow down to a speed suitable for first,
below 10 miles per hour and then change down. Add a little gas before fully releasing the clutch.
That happened quickly. Let's have another look. Off gas, brake, clutch down, first gear,
before fully releasing the clutch gently, add a little gas.
Really smooths it out.
When changing up gear, I don't need to add gas as it's smooth even without it as
the revs don't drop that quickly and I don't want to drive fast on these roads. Plan when
to change gear so you don't rush it and made the car jerk.
Changing down for a turn, I'll add a tiny amount of gas before fully raising the clutch just
to make it really smooth but be careful not to give it too much gas or you might turn too fast.
Clutch up gently, back on gas. Earlier on the country roads I was adding gas when changing up
but that's because I wanted to accelerate quicker and drive faster as it was safe to do it. In this
car when you press the clutch, the revs don't drop very quickly. So I can still change up gear
smoothly even without adding gas, just make sure you don't release the clutch too fast.
But some cars are different and you might need to add gas to really smooth out the gear change.
Although when changing down, adding a little gas can really smooth out any jerkiness.
I'm turning right. Check mirrors, signal, brake, before changing down to second,
clutch up slowly, especially where the biting point is, minimal amount of gas.
If you're turning into a tight road,
I'd recommend having the footbrake ready so that you're prepared to slow down or stop.
I'm turning right. Slow down to a speed suitable for second. Release the clutch
gently and then turn. If you release the clutch too quickly then it will jerk the car.
Slowing down for the bend. Brake below 20 miles per hour,
down to 2nd and before fully releasing the clutch, a little gas.
But of course, you can always come off the gas if you don't want to go faster.
Roundabout is clear. down to 2nd and before fully releasing the clutch, a little gas.
I wasn't pressing the gas to accelerate towards that roundabout
but just enough to smooth out the gear change.
Don't forget you can change down smoothly just by releasing the clutch slowly and no gas needed,
although some cars are different.
These dashboard warning lights are really important. Find out what they all mean by
watching this video next. Thanks a lot for watching. Please like and subscribe if you
found the video helpful. In the meantime, keep safe on the road and bye for now!
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