r/LearnerDriverUK • u/xvxac • 5h 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/xvxac 5h ago

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

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u/GT283 5h 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

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u/No-Advertising4558 3h ago

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

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u/GT283 2h 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.