shifting gears

[BONNIEBLU123]

is there some guide as to what speed you change gears

[d0gsb0dy]

Never seen one. Drivers normally change instinctively.

[twiglet4frog]

all engines are different so there is not a set standard, if your car is fitted with a rev counter then u want to be aprrox 2 to 3 thousand below the redline, but all depends if u want fast accelration/no fuel or slowere speed and acceleration and some fuel still left in your tank!

[twiglet4frog]

a lot of cars have the rev counter positioned so that when the needle points directly to the top like 12 o clock that is a an optimal place to change gear

[Zen]

When the rev limiter kicks in !!!

[hedgehog661]

umm no zen!

the goverment are looking at proposals for more "eco friendly" driving tests where the test candidate will be expected to drive in a ore eco friendly way part of which will be keeping below the 2600 rev range where possible and block gear changing up as well as down

[chazza]

as a rough guide when learning i was taught:

0-10mph = 1st gear

10-20mph = 2nd gear

20-30mph = 3rd gear

30-40mph = 4th gear

40+ = 5th gear

 

but obviously this is a rough guide, applies mainly to what gear you should be in at any steady speed.when speeding up you will go up through the gears quicker

[sod_the_m25]

As soon as you can without labouring the engine, which comes with just a little experience. Forget rules about 2000 under the red, or needle pointing to the top, you'll soon be changing gear without thinking. The best use of the redline is if you want a really good thrash and want the maximum out of the beast. There are other fuel-saving tips, like you can often go straight from 2nd to 4th especially downhill. Never though be tempted to pull away in 2nd, not good for the clutch.

[Gef]

Not quite the same thing but in their handbook for the Megane (S reg) Renault advise that the engine should not reach 3000 revs in any gear other than 5th.

[andrewlee]

Also depends on whether you are driving diesel or petrol, and how much torque the engine has

[Cockney_si]

There is usually a recommended changing gear and speeds guide in the handbook for that car.

Obviously it varies from car to car and engine sizes and performance makes a great deal of difference.

Some smaller engined cars hate going into 5th gear at 30mph but then some bigger cars do too.