Unit Three Subject 5 - Gears: Step 4 - Smooth Gear Changes

Unit 3 - Basic Skills:
Home page

1 - Show/Tell:
1. Overview

2 - Drivers Eyesight:
1. Introduction
2. Eye checks
3. Eyesight problems
4. Project

3 - Cockpit Drill:
1. Introduction
2. The drill
3. Explanation

4 - Moving off:
1. Introduction
2. The basics
3. POM Introduction
4. Prepare
5. Observe
6. Move
7. Brake tests
8. Stopping
9. Summary
10. Project

5 - Using Gears:
1. Introduction
2. Observation
3. Selective gear changing
4. Smooth changes

6 - Hazard Routine:
1. Introduction
2. Easy starting point
3. Mirrors
4. Signals
5. Manoeuvre
6. Project

7 - Junctions:
1. Introduction
2. Emerging
3. Approaching
4. Approaching right
5. Crossroads
6. Roundabouts

8 - Hills:
1. Introduction
2. Downhill safety
3. Parking
4. Uphill starts
5. Downhill starts

9 - Emergency Stop:
1. Introduction
2. The method
3. Skids
4. The driving test
5. Project

DRIVING HOME PAGE

Smooth changes

To achieve 'perfect' balance while changing gear you will need to practice several gear changes; this could be hundreds or even thousands!

For some drivers the whole concept of smooth gear changing might be alien, or they might think their changes are smooth, but their passengers are getting car sick. This project is designed to help you to develop smooth gear changes and good balance through bends and corners.

The 'Swan Lake' project involves driving around with a bowl of water in your car! However...

If you are not that adventurous you can use a 'smooth driving app' to achieve the same outcomes. The 'water' project was developed long before apps were available - we keep it in the course for those who would like to try it because it can be a 'bit of fun'... And it works as well as ever as a method.

You should be able to drive with a washing up bowl half-full of water in your passenger foot-well without spilling any.

If you don't want to risk spilling water in your car you can get an app that will measure how smooth your driving is - Google 'smooth driving apps' to find reviews and choices (popular apps include AVIVA and TESCO - but there are others). Note that some apps create a driving profile over about 200 miles - but if you are following all the projects as directed we might expect you to complete anything between 250 and 500 miles of driving.

Your aim is be a smooth as a swan gliding across a still lake. To do this you will need to keep the car balanced throughout the gear change process and as balanced as possible through bends. No pitching backwards or forwards and no clutch 'drag' on downward gear changes. You can recognise clutch drag by the sound of the engine - there should be no change in the engine sound as a result of engaging the clutch.

In order to eliminate pitching and dragging it's usually easiest to start with 3rd to 4th and 4th to 3rd. If your car has a rev-counter, use it to help match the revs to the speed when making downward gear changes. The worksheet for gears has an explanation of how to achieve a smooth change.

Accelerator and clutch

The engine rev's should always match the road speed for the gear selected. That is, there should be no discernible jerk (vehicle weight-shift) as a direct result of a gear change. Research 'sustained revs gear changing' and 'rev matching' on the internet.

If the engine 'drones' when engaging the clutch on a downward gear change you need to either adjust the speed at which the gear change is made (slow down more) or increase the engine revs by light accelerator pressure as or just before the clutch is engaged.

One of the most common problems at this stage is a rushed gear change. Take your time when making gear changes; if you have any problems slow down your hand and feet movements – make the action slow and deliberate, concentrating on what you can feel through the gas pedal and clutch.

Feel free to make mistakes - but not jerks! Temporary mistakes such as over-revving or slipping the clutch slightly are OK – they will pass as you relax and start to get a feel for the new style of driving.

Before moving on to the next unit, or as soon as possible, practise gear changing for around one-hour following the information on the project worksheet.

Next: Driving to a system