Gears

• The gear lever works in conjunction with the clutch pedal. The function of the gears is to allow you to move away and then build up your speed, depending upon your road and conditions.
• Most modern vehicles will have five gears. However, some of the older vehicles will only have four gears and newer cars may have six or more. The diagram below illustrates a five gear setup.
• Different makes of vehicles could have a different setup from this but the gears will work in exactly the same way 1^st to 4^th are usually the same in the form of a H shape

              

0          10        20        30        40        50        60        70        mph

 

 

1^st Gear

2^nd Gear

3^rd Gear

4^th Gear

5^th Gear

 

 Reverse Gear

How the Gears Work

First Gear

• First gear is the strongest forward gear and is used to get the shear weight of the vehicle moving. The vehicle could weigh in excess of 1 ton so you'll need a very strong gear to get that type of weight moving.

Second Gear

• Once you've built some speed change into second gear. This is a working gear.

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Third Gear

• Very similar to the second gear in that the gear allows the vehicle to travel faster but the gear is not as strong as second gear.

Fourth and Fifth Gears

• Fourth and fifth are cruising or economy gears. Once you've reached your desired speed or the maximum speed limit, select one of the cruising gears.
• As you change up the gears they become weaker but the vehicle will travel faster.

Neutral

• The horizontal position for the gear lever is called neutral. There will be no gear selected when the gear lever is in this position. Most cars have a bias which means when the gear lever is in the neutral position it will sit below and above a gear this is usually below 3^rd and above 4^th.

Coasting

• This term describes a vehicle travelling in neutral or with the clutch pressed down.
• Do not coast as It reduces drivers control of the vehicle as
• Engine braking is lost
• The Vehicle’s speed will increase quickly when travelling downhill
• The use of the footbrake would have to be increased and this can reduce its effectiveness
• Steering response will be affected particularly on bends and corners
• It may be more difficult to select the appropriate gear when needed.

 Palming method

·         By using this method you eliminate the risk of your hand slipping off the gear lever or selecting the wrong gear.

·         To use this method, place your palm away from you with your thumb downwards and push the lever in the same direction  and select 1^st & 2^nd gears for 3^rd & 4^th place your palm towards you with your thumb up and use the bias position (or if no bias) bring the lever towards you.

Safety Tip

• Before starting your engine make sure that the handbrake is on and the gear lever is in the neutral position!

 

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