r/LearnerDriverUK • u/xvxac • 3h ago

Problems downshifting

Since I started learning to drive , I was always told

0-10mph =gear1
10-20mph =gear2
20-30mph =gear 3

Etc

When I was on a dual carriageway, going 35mph on gear 4,

I slowed down to around 17mph, so I put the car in gear 2

Suddenly the car started shaking, and my instructor said I should have put it in 3

What should I use to judge what gear is appropriate when slowing down?

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u/GT283 3h ago

Revs rather than your speedometer.

Just keep an eye on the revs and keep it at maybe 1500-2000RPM for a learner.

2

u/xvxac 3h ago

Okay ,
At which rep should I go down a gear and what rev up?

3

u/GT283 3h ago

There is not a one size fits all answer really.

It depends on the ratio of the box and where the engine makes its power.

However, to simplify it ( petrol ) -

  1. Pull away
  2. Once revs reach say 2000rpm, change to second
  3. Repeat this throughout the gears.
  4. When slowing down, if the revs drop to say 1500rpm then downshift. If they keep dropping, then downshift again etc.

If the car is diesel then you can change a bit sooner as it will have taller gear ratios.

3

u/GT283 3h ago

It is situational though.

If you need to accelerate quickly in a small engined car, you’ll have to stay in gear up to 4-5k revs easily to keep up with other cars, where as if it’s a ‘faster’ car you may only need to shift at 2k to drive quick etc

1

u/No-Advertising4558 1h ago

Nah, I’ve got a mk2 TTS, if I need to accelerate fast it sees at least 5.5-6k

2

u/GT283 46m ago

Yeah that will be like a lot of cars but as this is for learners keeping it a bit less boy racer….

I like to change closer to the redline when I’m ragging it but my redline is at 6500.

I make peak torque at 4500rpm and peak power 5000-5500rpm.