Many years ago driving instructors taught their pupils to always change up and down through the gears sequentially because the old cars struggled with anything else and brakes weren’t very good, so we had to use our gears to help the car to slow down. Modern cars are much improved and can handle a far wider range of driving techniques.
The only time you need to use gears to slow in a modern car is on ice or snow as you’re less likely to slide. Downhill we still recommend lower gears to help hold the speed down so as not to wear the brakes out, but as always this is to maintain your speed, not to slow it.
Selective gear changing (also known as block gear changing) is a modern driving technique that has many benefits.
Whilst learning to drive you should be taught selective gear changing by your driving instructor.
WHAT IS SELECTIVE GEAR CHANGING
Sometimes changing gear in bigger jumps. e.g. 1st to 3rd, 4th to 2nd, 5th to 1st instead of always one at a time.
SELECTIVE GEAR CHANGING UP
A good example of useful selective changing up is when you’re traveling down a slip road approaching a dual carriageway or motorway and accelerating hard in 3rd gear. Reaching a speed of around 40 to 45mph you notice that the first lane is clear. At this speed there no point changing into 4th and makes better sense changing straight into 5th gear.
SELECTIVE GEAR CHANGING DOWN
Selective gear changing down is frequently used, it should be taught during driving lessons and is seen as normal good practice during the driving test. A frequently used example of selective gear changing down is driving around towns and cities. You’re driving in 4th gear at 30 mph and want to take the next side road.
Instead of using the gears to slow you down as you would have many years ago, modern driving techniques suggest that you should use a combination of engine braking (letting the car naturally slow down in gear) and physically pressing the foot brake to reach a speed of around 10 to 15 mph to make the turn. You will have no need for 3rd gear and can simply shift from 4th gear directly into 2nd gear. If you were at a higher speed in a higher gear before you started slowing then when you feel the engine getting too slow for the gear you’re in put the clutch down as normal so you don’t stall, however there is no rush to select the next gear until you’re close to the speed you want to corner at. e.g when you’ve slowed down to 10-15mph and you’re going to stay around that speed then select 2nd gear. However if after looking at the corner you decide to bring your speed right down to e.g 5mph, once you get to that speed select 1st gear and don’t waste your time going to 2nd gear or lifting the clutch on the way down to a 1st gear speed.
BENEFITS OF SELECTIVE GEAR CHANGING
The benefits of selective gear changing, especially changing up, is better fuel economy. Missing a gear when changing up if necessary will allow the engine to work easier as you will reach the higher gear sooner, so will use less fuel. Frequent use of selective gear changing down will reduce wear on the clutch and gearbox, both being expensive to replace. Selective gear changing also means more time for both hands to stay on the steering wheel and greater concentration on the road ahead.
Overtaking
A useful selective gear change is to change down from 5th gear into 3rd. If driving at around 40 mph, this will provide a significant amount of power to the engine and allow you to accelerate quicker past the vehicle you want to overtake. It also significantly decreases fuel consumption. Selective gear changing requires having a good understanding of how and when to change gear. To become proficient you will also need to become good at anticipation and planning; judging the road ahead and dealing with it in advance.
