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[effusionx1]

Howdy all,

I'm currently revising for my driving theory test and I am confused about one major aspect of driving. Namely, when to use a low gear and when to use a high gear - I understand that a high gear will ultimately allow higher speeds as a lower one will allow lower speeds. I also understand that lower gears are used for moving off and higher speeds are used for cruising speeds.

I can understand why I would have to use a high gear to get out of snow for example (because the extra power is needed) but apparently when driving through a Ford a lower gear should be used, why?

Are there any good websites that explain circumstances in which to apply certain gears? ie. High Gear / Low Gear.
Finally, I am right in saying that say, gear 1 is a low gear and gear 5 is a high gear?

Many thanks,
Jord

[JHServers]

Yes gear 1 is a low gear and gear 5 is a high gear. Higher gears are required for higher speeds so you don't blow your engine. It has everything to do with how many times your engine is rotating per minute (RPM's). A higher gear will allow for higher speeds at lower RPM's (thus saving gas). The more times your engine rotates in a minute, the more gas it uses. Also the higher the RPM's, the more horsepower and torque your car has. A specific brand of car does not determine what gear you use and when, its all about the engine. When hauling something, a lower gear is used so you can get higher RPM's and thus more torque and pulling power. Higher gears are used for cruising because constant stop/start is not required. More horsepower means you start faster (thus the reason for being in a low gear when coming off a stop sign/red light). When you're on a highway going 75 mph, you can be in your top gear (this can be 4th, 5th, 6th, whatever your car has) and thus will give you lower RPM's to use less gas. This is why when the EPA rates gas mileage you see a city and a highway rating (typically highway driving offers more miles per gallon of gas). City means constant stop/start which equates to higher overall RPM's and thus more gas consumed.

[Burhan]

I think JHServers hit it on the head. Remember that low = more power/torque high = low power, sustain speeds.

In other words, you shift into high gear to cruise because at this gear (whatever it is on your car) the engine only needs to sustain enough RPMs to maintain the current speed.

You can think of it this way -- it takes more power to start a ball rolling, and little power to keep it rolling. Its the same idea with the gears. From a standstill, you need to engage the low gears (1, 2) because they provide the most power. Once your car is moving, you can move up the gears ... and then have the high gear (4, 5 or 6) to maintain the speed. At these gears, the RPM is low because the engine only has to work enough to sustain the current speed of the car.

Hope this helps

[(Stephen)]

Jord, getting out of snow, you actually use a low gear(in my experience)
As for fording water, one reason I go in a low gear is so I do not have a rush of water coming up into the car when I am going across, and you can also maintain a steady slower speed instead of hitting it high speed and stalling out(very bad thing!)

[Disgruntled]

Some say it's good to use second gear to get going in snow, because first has too much power. If the wheels accelerate too abruptly they overcome the static friction needed to grip instead of slide.
At higher speed higher gear is more efficient to keep your RPM's reasonable, but you do have less power. On an uphill or in a headwind you might choose a lower gear and accept running at a higher RPM (although if you're approaching the redline, it's time to slow down).

[wills17]

Lower gears are also used going downhill to prevent you going too fast.

[JHServers]

Originally Posted by Mituozo

Lower gears are also used going downhill to prevent you going too fast.

That's true. And if your breaks fail while at high speeds, putting the car into 1st gear will slow you down very well as the RPM's come down quick from no acceleration.

[Vortex-Steve]

Originally Posted by JHServers

That's true. And if your breaks fail while at high speeds, putting the car into 1st gear will slow you down very well as the RPM's come down quick from no acceleration.

Although just to note that if you have the time and space you should reduce speed by going down through the gears and not trying to jam it straight into a low gear Even if you really need to slow quickly getting it into 1st would be bloody hard so 2nd might be the better option to try at first.

[Kemik]

For your theory test see if you can get some example questions. I don't know where your from but DLA do an offical website. Sign up for £7 for 30 days. You can basically learn the answers off by heart.

Just keep doing the tests, after a while your know which answers you can never get and which answers are easy. Just learn the ones you don't know.

That's how I did it 6 months ago and got myself 35/35

[KI-ChrisE]

Originally Posted by Vortex-Steve

Although just to note that if you have the time and space you should reduce speed by going down through the gears and not trying to jam it straight into a low gear Even if you really need to slow quickly getting it into 1st would be bloody hard so 2nd might be the better option to try at first.

Not sure what example your referring to here, but let's say your approaching a roundabout at 60mph and you're in 5th.

You'd slow by using your brake, you wouldn't change down gears, you would wait until your near the roundabout and change down into the ideal gear of 2nd. (after you've braked of course to the correct speed - they'll be looking for about 15mph in the test depending on circumstances).

At least, thats the way they want you to do it to pass your test.

As for knowing all this for your theory, it doesn't even come up??

[edit]
I might add, if you really want help... http://www.2pass.co.uk/

They've got forums too, very useful (instructors and examiners are on them).

[Vortex-Steve]

Originally Posted by KI-ChrisE

Not sure what example your referring to here, but let's say your approaching a roundabout at 60mph and you're in 5th.

You'd slow by using your brake, you wouldn't change down gears, you would wait until your near the roundabout and change down into the ideal gear of 2nd. (after you've braked of course to the correct speed - they'll be looking for about 15mph in the test depending on circumstances).

At least, thats the way they want you to do it to pass your test.

As for knowing all this for your theory, it doesn't even come up??

This is what I was replying to "And if your breaks fail while at high speeds"

[KI-ChrisE]

Oooh right, apologies. I didn't read it properly obviously!! Sorry.

[(Stephen)]

You could always "jake break"

[Zafar Ahmed]

Is it true that on lower gears, the car drinks more gas than on high gear?

[KI-ChrisE]

Yes, if you're going at high speed in a low gear when you could use a high gear, the car will be using more 'gas'.

Gear 5 typically has very little power, but as long as the car has existing momentum at a reasonable speed (50mph plus typically) then its more fuel efficient and will happily cope.