Correct gear selection affects safety, comfort and fuel use. Whether you drive a manual or an automatic, good shifting technique means using the engine’s torque efficiently, maintaining smooth traffic flow and reducing wear.
Core principles
- Keep the engine within a smooth low rev range without lugging
- Shift early and smoothly to avoid jerks and drivetrain shocks
- Read the traffic and plan shifts in advance
- Combine gear choice with engine braking for smooth driving
- Too low revs cause vibration; too high revs create noise and waste fuel
Manual gearboxes
Moving off
- Apply enough throttle to avoid stalling
- Release the clutch smoothly while supporting with light throttle
- On hills, hold the vehicle with the brake or parking brake for a controlled start
Upshifts
- Shift early during gentle acceleration (about 2000–2500 rpm for petrol, 1500–2000 rpm for diesel, depending on the car)
- Stay longer in lower gears on ramps or motorways when more power is needed
- Avoid skipping gears if it causes jerks or loss of control
Downshifts and engine braking
- Lift off the throttle, press the clutch, select a lower gear, then release the clutch smoothly
- Use engine braking downhill for stability and reduced brake wear
- Do not coast in neutral; you lose control authority and may increase consumption
Automatic transmissions
Efficient use
- Accelerate decisively to the desired speed, then ease off slightly to prompt an upshift
- Select the mode that matches the conditions (D, Eco, Sport, Low)
- In steep hills choose a lower step manually for stronger engine braking
Kickdown and overtaking
- For overtakes, plan ahead, press the accelerator progressively to trigger a downshift and complete the pass briskly
- For more on overtaking judgement, see Overtaking and lane changes
Safety, economy and comfort
| Goal | Measures |
|---|---|
| Safety | Correct gear before bends and junctions for better control |
| Economy | Early upshifts, steady throttle input and engine braking |
| Comfort | Smooth shifts and predictable speed adjustments |
See also Eco-friendly driving.
Common mistakes and fixes
- Sustained high revs → shift up
- Lugging at low revs → drop one gear
- Riding the clutch → complete the shift and release the pedal
- Coasting downhill in neutral → use engine braking for control
Relevance for the driving test
- Select the right gear for low-speed areas, housing estates and junctions
- Settle the correct gear before the bend; avoid shifting mid-corner
- Be prepared to explain your gear choices, showing that you understand engine braking and rev ranges
For the full exam context, see Practical driving test.