Knowing When to Shift Up.

There are two ways of knowing when to shift:

Use engine speed (RPM).

Study the driver’s manual for your vehicle and learn the operating RPM range. Watch your tachometer, and shift up when your engine reaches the top of the range. (Some newer vehicles use “progressive” shifting: the RPM at which you shift becomes higher as you move up in the gears.

Find out what’s right for the vehicle you will operate.)

Use road speed (mph).

Learn what speeds each gear is good for. Then, by using the speedometer, you’ll know when to shift up.

With either method, you may learn to use engine sounds to know when to shift.

Basic Procedures for Shifting Down

Special conditions where you should downshift are:

Before starting down a hill.

Before entering a curve.

Multi-Speed Rear Axles and Auxiliary Transmissions

Automatic Transmissions

Retarders