Shift from 1st to 2nd Gear in a Standard Transmission Car
This guide will explain how to shift from first to second gear in a car with a standard transmission. You'll need to know how to shift into first gear before reading further.
Contents
Steps
- Listen for the change in your car's engine sounds that let you know it's "working harder." Higher pitched whirring is one sign. (Notice the RPM reading at that point, and you'll begin to develop a sense of when you need to shift gears in this car. Most cars need to be shifted whenever they hit 3000-3500 RPMs)
- Lift your right foot off the pedals altogether--do not press the accelerator or brake pedal.
- Press the clutch pedal down quickly all the way to the floor or until you feel it dis-engage. (A very slight jarring, a change in engine sound, a change in feel. RPMs will drop to the idling rate and the engine should be much quieter.)
- Smoothly pull the shift lever straight back from 1st to 2nd gear.
- Release the clutch smoothly and then continue pressing lightly on the accelerator. Do not be harsh with either pedal - the ride will be jerky and you could put too much strain on the drive train.
Tips
- If the seat and steering wheel are adjustable (most likely not in a classic car, but definitely in a modern car), adjust so pressing the clutch is comfortable. Some small cars have long clutches, making it difficult for taller drivers to clutch easily.
- Practice, practice, practice, until your muscle memory knows what to do and your thinking brain doesn't have to work through it every time.
- Start practicing in a flat parking place, make sure the parking brake is set, without even starting the car, just getting comfortable moving the gear shift lever.
- Later, practice on hills in neighborhoods before you try hills in traffic. Make sure there are no cars behind you and try to start without rolling back more than a few inches
Warnings
- Do NOT dis-engage the clutch "just a little bit" while deciding when to switch gears. This is called "riding the clutch" and it will lead to expensive repairs.
- Take a cell phone--and an experienced driver if possible--just in case. Obviously don't drive and talk on it though!
- Do not drive in traffic until you're completely comfortable switching gears in your car--so comfortable you can converse lightly with a passenger while driving. You need to be able to focus on avoiding hazards and obeying traffic laws when you're out on the road, not on how to make your car go.
- Practice where you're not going to hit anything, and avoid the buildings.
