How to get smoother gear changes?

**Timbuk2**

I'm wondering how I can get smoother gear changes? I was going to post this in the Motoring forum but as I'm learning to drive, I think it's more appropriate here (feel free to move if necessary).

How do I get smooth gear changes when moving up the gears? When I go up through the gears, there is often a jolt as the new gear engages (especially from 1->2, it gets smoother as you get higher, e.g. you can barely notice changes from 3->4 and 4->5). I don't think it's that I'm taking the clutch out too fast - it happens no matter what speed I take the clutch out. I think it's more to do with the revs (my car has no tachometer, so I don't actually know how revved up the engine is when I change).

Hopefully it will come with practice. It's not a big deal (and probably wouldn't get me marked for the test) but I'd love for the journey to be as smooth as possible. When my dad is driving, you can't even notice the gear changes as a passenger (apart from the sounds of the engine!), but he doesn't really have advice because he does it all 'without thinking' as he's been driving so long! (maybe one day I'll be like that!).

Going down the gears is smooth enough, but I think that's because you don't have to accelerate at the same time as you engage the gear!

Chet Zar

**Timbuk2** wrote: »

I'm wondering how I can get smoother gear changes? I was going to post this in the Motoring forum but as I'm learning to drive, I think it's more appropriate here (feel free to move if necessary).

How do I get smooth gear changes when moving up the gears? When I go up through the gears, there is often a jolt as the new gear engages (especially from 1->2, it gets smoother as you get higher, e.g. you can barely notice changes from 3->4 and 4->5). I don't think it's that I'm taking the clutch out too fast - it happens no matter what speed I take the clutch out. I think it's more to do with the revs (my car has no tachometer, so I don't actually know how revved up the engine is when I change).

Hopefully it will come with practice. It's not a big deal (and probably wouldn't get me marked for the test) but I'd love for the journey to be as smooth as possible. When my dad is driving, you can't even notice the gear changes as a passenger (apart from the sounds of the engine!), but he doesn't really have advice because he does it all 'without thinking' as he's been driving so long! (maybe one day I'll be like that!).

Going down the gears is smooth enough, but I think that's because you don't have to accelerate at the same time as you engage the gear!

I actually thought you were asking about smoother changes when going down the gears, as that is what I would associate more with less smooth changes!

I am a beginner but imo you want to make sure you are building up speed (or have been building up speed) at the time of changing. If you don't then you are catching the engine by surprise and the change feels rough. I also wouldn't even look at the revs unless you really need to - go by the sound of the engine.

ADI34722

Chet Zar wrote: »

I actually thought you were asking about smoother changes when going down the gears, as that is what I would associate more with less smooth changes!

I am a beginner but imo you want to make sure you are building up speed (or have been building up speed) at the time of changing. If you don't then you are catching the engine by surprise and the change feels rough. I also wouldn't even look at the revs unless you really need to - go by the sound of the engine.

Dont try so hard. Do it slow in the beginning. The travel for biting point on the clutch is fairly long so mess with different ways to release the clutch. Find one thats smooth and practice getting faster with it. Take your time.

af_thefragile

Well, every car is kinda different in a way. The speed at which the engine revs and car speed match change from car to car. It depends on the power of the car and the gear ratios. So its really a matter of getting to know your car and seeing what works best for it.

Just listen to the sound of the engine and change gear at different intervals/speeds and see at which point you get the smoothest results.

You get a jolt from 1st to 2nd if you don't give the car enough gas after you've changed the gear. Its because 2nd is a large gear (as in its a slow gear), you can feel this if you're traveling in 2nd gear and take your foot off the accelerator, the car quickly starts to slow down.

So when you change from 1st to 2nd, your car is traveling at some speed, you don't give enough gas when you take your foot off the clutch, the car will start to quickly slow down and you'll feel this as a jolt... Or this is so what I presume is happening in your car.

Try being more immediate on the accelerator when you've changed from 1st to 2nd and start pressing on the accelerator a little even before you've completely let go of the clutch. This will keep your car at speed and stop it from slowing down.

Or instead you could try changing from 1st into 2nd faster. You really only need to get the car rolling before you can change to 2nd. Infact you can even get off from a standstill in 2nd in most cars (it'll struggle a little at first but soon will catch up, though I don't advice you to do this as its not good for the gearbox). So you really don't need much speed to change to 2nd.

Try these things and see if it makes any difference...

uncle-mofo

What car are you driving that has no tachometer? Never heard of that before. Some cars just have heavier clutches than others, which will give a harsher engagement. If you have no tachometer you'll just have to get used to changing on ear, I'd get your dad to drive you around and try and get used to when he shifts.

**Timbuk2**

Thanks for all the replies! I think my main problem was building up speed, clutching in but then taking too long to move the gearstick into the next gear, and by the time I engage the gear I lost a bit of the speed. I am now more confident in gear changes, and can physically move the gearstick faster, so the gears engage much smoother! I've never had a problem going down the gears, in terms of smoothness, but that could be because I'm in the habit of changing down through all the gears when I'm stopping (which I know isn't necessary!), so I guess I'm used to it.

uncle-mofo wrote: »

What car are you driving that has no tachometer? Never heard of that before.

The car is a '98 Starlet. Actually I've seen quite a few older cars without tachometers, so I wouldn't consider it unusual for a '98 car.
My instructors car is an 09 Opel Corsa. I find that if I change gears at 2000rpm in his car I get the smoothest gear change (I know, 2000rpm seems very low but it seems to work!)

spurious

My Nissan 2001 Micra (March) has no tachometer either. I go on the sound of the revs. I don't find it necessary to move the gearstick particularly fast, just smoothly.
If my seat isn't positioned right, I have a tendency to not have the clutch fully down sometimes, so I have to watch that.

ha-ya-said-what

**Timbuk2** wrote: »

Thanks for all the replies! I think my main problem was building up speed, clutching in but then taking too long to move the gearstick into the next gear, and by the time I engage the gear I lost a bit of the speed.

To advoid that when your going to change gear, have you hand on the gear stick, know what gear your going to, clutch in then change gear. I'm sure your aware of it lol me I'm going in with the clutch as I go for the gear stick... and all be it the car doesn't jerk but I still get told "hand on the gear stick then clutch"

Cos you can't see the revs if you have the manual for your car you'll get the specification for gear changes, all cars are different so it will be one way of gauging yours so you can develop the ear for the sound of the engine

NukaCola

**Timbuk2** wrote: »

I'm wondering how I can get smoother gear changes?

Hopefully it will come with practice

Practice practice practice and it'll eventually be second nature to you

Richie15

If you're jerking the car going up a gear, I'd say you're over-revving. Try changing sooner, before the car starts to scream at you. As soon as you're rolling, go into second, and as soon as you speed up a bit (more than 20 km/h) go for third. If the car struggles, you know it was too early so bare it in mind for the next time you move off, but you shouldn't need to shift back because that'd just cause you to jerk more.

It may also be that you're letting off your clutch too suddenly, as has been mentioned here. Another thing is you might be still have your foot on the accelerator while you're changing - simple answer to that is don't. Wait until your clutch is at biting point and accelerate gently.

uncle-mofo wrote: »

What car are you driving that has no tachometer? Never heard of that before.

My 99 Punto didn't have one. It's not unheard-of; in fact, in older cars I think it's more common not to have one. They're handy once you get used to them, but I find most people I know haven't a clue what to do with it. Better off getting a feel for the difference, rather than relying on the tachometer, since you'll be changing at different revs for different cars anyway.

Reloc8

I was told to go down on the clutch like an elephant but come up off it like a fairy when changing gears. Works for me.

daveharnett

**Timbuk2** wrote: »

Thanks for all the replies! I think my main problem was building up speed, clutching in but then taking too long to move the gearstick into the next gear, and by the time I engage the gear I lost a bit of the speed. I am now more confident in gear changes, and can physically move the gearstick faster, so the gears engage much smoother!

Ah. I think your problem was losing revs more than losing speed. When you engage the clutch, the engine gradually drops down to idle (7-800 rpm).

On an upchange, you want the revs to drop a little, just not too much or the car will jerk as the roadwheels force the engine back up to speed.

DrivingsCool

My instructors car is an 09 Opel Corsa. I find that if I change gears at 2000rpm in his car I get the smoothest gear change (I know, 2000rpm seems very low but it seems to work!)

Make sure your Driving Instructor is approved by the RSA (Road Safety Authority). He should really have covered this with you, even in your first lesson as this is really basic, regardless what kind of car you are driving!

If the clutch is kicking or jolting, in 1st -2nd gear this means you need to improve your clutch control. Driving slower or faster, higher revs or lower revs, has nothing to do with it!! Too many instructors take the easy way out and tell the student to take their time and practice, but how can you practise something, if you dont know how to do it properly in the first place.

WHY IS THIS HAPPENING?

Its about, the LACK of pressure in which you hold the clutch with!
You are the driver, You control the car,
DONT LET THE CLUTCH CONTROL YOU!!
Thats whats happening!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!.

Your instructor in your first lesson SHOULD have shown you how to get the clutch bight WITHOUT the accelerator AND keeping the handbreak up.
Ok, so its step 1 to driving, but this needs to be perfect so that the gear changes are perfect! Driving Testers Love Good Clutch Control, and that is something you do not have, but you can change it and its really easy to this!

TO PRACTICE HAVING GOOD CLUTCH CONTROL:

HANBREAK STAYS UP. NO ACCELERATOR ---- YES YES>> I DEFINITELY SAID NOOOO ACCELERATOR.


Engage 1st gear, Bringing up the clutch to the point where you can feel that the car wants to move , but that she is not because you are holding the clutch at the maximum point. The noise level should deepen and the car might vibrate a little because it wants to go but cant because the handbreak is up and your still holding the pressure on the Clutch, but DONT LET THE CAR MOVE.. ( If the car cuts our - you are coming too far off the Clutch) Practice this five times, getting the clutch bight on a flat surface and with this you will become more aware of the clutch and how to use it properly. THIS IS HOW TO GET EXCELLENT CLUTCH CONTROL!

The kicking from 1st gear to 2nd gear will then stop, and when the time comes to do your test, the driving tester will be eating out of your hand, because you have amazing clutch control!!

You are not alone in this though , alot of students dont understand how to resolve this kicking or jolting when changing from 1st to 2nd gear. You can buy a ADI dvd covering this which is great for students who dont have the money for loads of lessons.

Ask me for the link, and ill give it to you!

NukaCola

DrivingsCool wrote: »

DONT LET THE CLUTCH CONTROL YOU!!
Thats whats happening!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!.

HANBREAK STAYS UP. NO ACCELERATOR ---- YES YES>> I DEFINITELY SAID NOOOO ACCELERATOR.

Too much caffeine? :pac: