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Do you want to take your questions about car marching? So you are in the right place. In this article, you will find what it is, how it works, and much more about this important piece.
Car gear is such an important detail that people don’t always pay enough attention. However, the car’s good performance, fuel economy and, believe me, even the lifespan of the entire system is directly linked to how the driver shifts the car.
Not paying proper attention to these details can cause a lot of damage, so check out the tips we have to avoid this type of inconvenience.
Do some doubts surround the use of the car gear, such as what is the limit to change it? This question, in some cases, can be answered with the help of the tachometer, a device that is located on the dashboard of the car, along with the speed meter and the dashboard lights.
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In addition, hearing can be the best friend of drivers who still have doubts about when to change gears and what this can entail if the procedure is not done at the right time.
What are car gears for?
The function of the car’s gearbox is to obtain the best balance between power and speed, according to the vehicle’s needs at the moment. Through this system of gears, the power of the engine is transferred to the wheels of the car. Thus, the gears serve to multiply the force or speed coming from the engine allowing the car to overcome higher obstacles.
High gear vs low gear: what does it mean?
Car gear can have two classifications: lowest gear and highest gear. Each of these denominations has a reason. It is important to remember that these definitions are not for automatic cars, which have letters as an indication and make the changes automatically, as the name suggests.
Low gears are named as follows: reverse, first, second and third gear. They are called heavy car gears, because they require less power from the vehicle, making it heavier. In addition, they are easier, for example, to maneuver and enter curves, so they will require more steering wheel turns.
The highest ones are composed of the fourth and fifth gears. They can also be called light gears, because when they are being used, the engine spins more, the car will ask for more speed and, consequently, become lighter.
It is good to understand that the high gear is more difficult to maneuver. In curves, for example, the car is more vulnerable and will require fewer steering wheel turns.
As you can see, it is necessary to be aware of the car gear changes, since their misuse can cause damage to your vehicle. That way, by knowing exactly when to use them, you can conserve your car and its useful life.
When to change car gear?
When talking about driving a car, the subject is a little delicate. We detail below a little about when to shift gears with the car at high speed, or when the car is slowing down.
The rev counter, an item that is present on the car’s dashboard and which usually has a red stripe, which when signaled next to the number seven or eight, is considered an indication of the maximum working rotation limit of the engine.
When the pointer starts to pass this red dot, the car engine is suffering from the first damage due to misuse of the car gear. Understanding that the gear must be changed before that is essential so that problems are not caused in the engine or clutch.
It is also worth remembering that making the change in the limit should only happen if the car is at high speed, on a road or highway, for example. This is not a typical or usual situation in cities and daily traffic. Therefore, accelerations that reach the red range of rotations should be avoided.
What if my vehicle doesn’t have a rev counter, what should I do?
Even though this is an item that is present in many cars, the rev counter is not unanimous and may not be present in your car model. In this case, the solution is basically to use your hearing and feel that need to change gears.
It’s a very noticeable sound, especially for those who are used to driving routinely when the car asks for upshifting.
As soon as the engine starts to make excessive noise and doesn’t show any speed gain, it’s time to shift gears and lighten the steering.
What is the exact speed to change the car gear?
This can vary greatly from model to model, even more so when there is variation in power, whether it is 1.0, 1.6, or 2.0. Normally, for 1.0 cars, the speed of each gear is as follows:
To be sure of the exact speed to shift gears, it is important to check the vehicle owner’s manual.
It is important to mention that every driver must travel with prudence and within the rules and limits of road safety. Fines for speeding are very expensive and subject to heavy punishments, such as suspension of driver’s license or even revocation.
What’s the best way to downshift a car?
Another mistake that most people make due to lack of knowledge, especially in terms of mechanics, is in downshifting the car.
If there is a need to reduce the car’s speed to make a sharper turn or stop at the headlight, for example, it is also necessary to decrease gradually, as each gear belongs to a specific speed.
Suppose the driver is in fourth gear, is about to make a turn, and needs to slow the car down.
At this point, in addition to reducing speed, he must engage third gear and, if necessary, return to second. This is necessary, as this prevents the car from moving at an incompatible speed.
What is the best gear to go uphill?
The ideal gait depends on the situation. If you’re parked on a slope, you’ll need to shift into first gear, and if it’s not that steep, you can try shifting into second. If you’re already moving, you may be able to go uphill into third gear, and if the engine loses power, you can downshift to second or even first gear.
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