If you drive a motorcycle or car with a manual gearbox, shifting to a higher gear is an essential step in road driving. Unlike automatic cars, in which the changes are done alone, in manual transmission cars, the driver has to engage the correct gear. While shifting into higher gear may seem like a daunting task at first, with enough practice you will be able to master the necessary technique and drive confidently.
Steps
Method 1 of 4: Departing from Fermo in a Manual Transmission Car
Step 1. Find the clutch pedal
It should be the leftmost of the car, next to the brake in the center. You have to press the clutch when shifting, so it's important to know where it is before you get behind the wheel.
Step 2. Examine the diagram above the shift lever
Familiarize yourself with the illustration above the shifter and you will be able to figure out where to put the lever when shifting gears. On the gearbox you should see gears R, 1, 2, 3, 4 and in some cases 5 or 6. R indicates reverse, while the numbers represent the gears. To shift into a higher gear, you will shift from one number to the next higher number so that you continue to increase the speed of the car.
Each car follows a different gear pattern. It is important to know what your car is before you start driving
Step 3. Turn on the vehicle
Put the key in the ignition and turn your wrist to start the car. If the ignition is push-button, press it instead of turning the key. With the engine running, press the clutch and hold the handbrake on, so the car doesn't roll when shifting.
Step 4. Move the shift lever to first
Move the shift lever to position 1 and release the handbrake. At this point the car should start moving forward.
If you are starting uphill, you must keep your foot on the brake to prevent the car from rolling backwards
Step 5. Take your foot off the clutch and slowly press the accelerator
Gradually release the clutch while pressing the accelerator at the same time. In this way the engine will start to push the car in first gear.
- This is the hardest part of starting, so don't worry if the engine stalls.
- If the engine dies, turn off the car and start over from the first step.
Method 2 of 4: Engage a Higher Gear in a Manual Transmission Vehicle
Step 1. Start shifting when the car reaches 2500-3000 GPM
"GPM" stands for "revolutions per minute" and refers to the rotational speed of the engine. The tachometer, which indicates the car's RPM, is usually found next to the speedometer and has numbers from 0 to 9. Once the tachometer needle is between 2500 and 3000, you should start shifting.
Step 2. Press the clutch and release the throttle
Use your left foot to press the clutch, while at the same time slowly lifting your right foot off the accelerator. This will allow you to move the shift lever and shift into higher gear. At this stage the car is in neutral and you will notice that the engine revs a lot if you press the accelerator too hard.
Step 3. Use your hand to shift into higher gear
Shift the shift lever into the gear just above the current one while holding the clutch. If you are in first, put the gear in second. You should do this in one smooth motion, so don't hesitate too much.
Practice shifting with the vehicle off to familiarize yourself with the gear arrangement
Step 4. Take your foot off the clutch and press the accelerator
Once you are in the highest gear, you can begin to gradually release the clutch as you pump the gas into the car. If you do this correctly, the car should start accelerating again and the rpm should drop.
The engine will not stop when you shift into a higher gear than the first, because the car is already in motion
Method 3 of 4: Starting from Fermo in Moto
Step 1. Put the bike in neutral
You can do this by squeezing the clutch, the lever on the left side of the handlebar. At that point, press the gear lever, the one corresponding to the left foot. This way you will engage the first one. The neutral is half a click up from the first. When the shift lever is fully down, lift it up slightly with your foot until you hear a click - you are now in neutral.
Some motorcycles have a warning light that indicates when neutral is engaged
Step 2. Start the engine
Press the power button to start the bike. There is no need to squeeze the clutch or touch any other lever.
Step 3. Squeeze the clutch and push the shift lever down to shift into first gear
Squeezing the clutch allows you to shift gears. Do this while pushing the shifter down, in first.
Step 4. Slowly release the clutch and drive the bike forward
When you take your hand off the clutch, the bike will begin to move forward. Walk with the vehicle to familiarize yourself with its movement.
If the engine dies, turn off the bike and start over
Step 5. Find your balance on the bike
Once you move, lift your left foot on the pedal. Keep your fingers under the shift lever so you can shift into a higher gear as you accelerate.
Step 6. Operate the throttle by turning your right wrist back
With this movement on the right handlebar you give the bike the throttle, which will be pushed forward by the engine. Once you can release the clutch without letting the engine stop, you can practice accelerating in first gear.
Don't accelerate too much or the bike will rock forward
Method 4 of 4: Engage a Higher Gear on the Motorcycle
Step 1. Squeeze the clutch as you release the throttle
Press the left handlebar lever while gradually returning the right grip back to the neutral position. This way you can shift into a higher gear.
Step 2. Push the shift lever up to shift into the highest gear
Without releasing the clutch, push the gear lever up with your left toes. In this way the bike will shift to a higher gear.
Step 3. Release the clutch while accelerating slightly
Gradually loosen your grip on the clutch as you twist your wrist back to turn the right knob. Again, you shouldn't accelerate too much or you may lose control of the bike. If you perform all the steps correctly, you will shift into the highest gear.
Advice
- You should always practice shifting in an empty parking lot or on private property before trying the vehicle on the road.
- Make sure you practice shifting gears with the help of a person who already knows how to do it.
- In many states it is illegal to try to drive without a license or an experienced driver to supervise you.
