is it bad for the car changing from 3rd to 5th gear

Babrew


Joined: 15/09/2010
Posts: 486

Message Posted:
31/01/2011 00:01

missing out 4th gear.

Navek



Joined: 01/06/2008
Posts: 2656

Message Posted:
31/01/2011 00:16

If you can't get into fourth gear,

you will just need take the revs up a bit higher in third, when changing up to fifth.

After a few times, you'll know when to change.

When changing down, you will need to rev up a bit between fifth & third,

or it will be like putting the brakes on every time you drop down to third.

Try it out on an empty road first,

you don't want anyone running into the back of you when you change down.

Won't do the gearbox any harm, provided you get the revs right.

Suggest you get it to a garage, in case rest of gears go.

Good luck,

Navek

spider


Joined: 03/01/2009
Posts: 5527

Message Posted:
31/01/2011 00:19

I have an automatic now but i often went from 3rd to 5th..was always taught to listen to the engine, so I did, never any problems.







Spider,X

deputydawg


Joined: 30/03/2010
Posts: 1727

Message Posted:
31/01/2011 01:45

Much easier to do routinely in performance cars with a high power to weight ratio and invariably with powerful disc brakes all round and plenty of rubber in contact with the road. For examples in the Wildebeest's 205, 1.4 diesel, as Navek says, getting the revs right was critical. In a Peugeot GTI 6 I rarely used 4th and 5th as enough torque to change from 3rd to 6th and vice versa and even travel in 6th at 30 mph on a level road by feathering the throttle. In Honda Integra and Civic Type Rs with 220 BHP, other than from a standing start up a gradient, using only 2nd and 5th gears easily and safely achieved.

Jovial_John


Joined: 31/01/2009
Posts: 1024

Message Posted:
31/01/2011 08:13

I agree deputydawg. Here I have a Honda HRV 1.6 - hardly a sports car - but frequently move briskly up to 65kph in 2nd and then into 5th. Same with slowing down - letting engine drag in 4th slow me down approaching a roundabout and then drop to 2nd and through if it is clear.

Back in the UK I had a BMW330i and would go up to 30 in 1st and then into 4th - only really using 5th at steady higher speeds, motorway or derestricted roads.

Many think that high revs damages a car, and so it will if you drive only at high revs - but never using high revs will also damage a car - occasionally at least you must open it up near to the redline.

greengate8


Joined: 07/12/2008
Posts: 156

Message Posted:
31/01/2011 10:50

Babrew



You don't say what car you have, but i would be wary of using high revs in order to change gear from 3rd to 5th if your car is fitted with any form of turbo.



These normally are set to 'kick in' at certain revolutions associated with each gear, and if this happens when you are changing into a higher gear than expected, the engine will react accordingly (possible juddering, stalling or skidding) especially if you have an engine management system.



I strongly recommend getting the problem sorted by out by a garage as Navek suggests.

colly


Joined: 31/07/2008
Posts: 297

Message Posted:
31/01/2011 10:58

Missing out any gear does use a little more fuel but if the revs are right should be o.k. Would not advise 1st to 4th though, that would be masssive waste of fuel. 1st gear should be used just to get the vehicle moving and they advise changing up as soon as you can.

ianwfs


Joined: 08/01/2008
Posts: 563

Message Posted:
31/01/2011 11:13

As a driving instructor in the UK, we taught that there is no need to go up and down the gears, and it's perfectly OK, and even preferable, to miss one out if road conditions, revs, etc are suitable. A prime example is you can frequently set off in 2nd gear if going down a hill.



As an aside to the original post, how many of you can change gear WITHOUT using the clutch?

arrry



Joined: 19/08/2008
Posts: 1235

Message Posted:
31/01/2011 11:22

Ian..............i do it all the time ! crunch...crunch...crunch !!

YFred


Joined: 06/05/2009
Posts: 1471

Message Posted:
31/01/2011 11:36

Should not somebody ask why?

rigsby


Joined: 21/09/2007
Posts: 912

Message Posted:
31/01/2011 11:45

Like arry i can drive without using the clutch.I never use all the gears in anything i drive to get the lowest fuel consumption.

arrry



Joined: 19/08/2008
Posts: 1235

Message Posted:
31/01/2011 11:48

I just NEVER read the instructions !!!

Babrew


Joined: 15/09/2010
Posts: 486

Message Posted:
31/01/2011 11:51

Navek

Oh Im not saying my 4th gear isnt working its just that for years (and from memories of my driving test about 30 years ago) I remember my instructor saying no problem going from 3rd to 5th). Its just that Im getting told by someone always that I should not do it and its bad for my car. Dont think I can change my habit after this long and of course Im doing over 30 mph and more when going into 5th.

Navek



Joined: 01/06/2008
Posts: 2656

Message Posted:
31/01/2011 11:52

Hi ianwfs,

"As an aside to the original post, how many of you can change gear WITHOUT using the clutch?"

Once you're moving, it's no problem changing gears without a clutch,

had to do it recently when my clutch went on the hill down fron Esentepe Village.

Just get the revs right, managed to get it back up to Brisk garage, without having to stop.

No problem.

Navek

flicker


Joined: 28/06/2009
Posts: 37

Message Posted:
31/01/2011 12:42

Even advanced driving instructers teach you to miss 4th gear I passed mine doing the the same and it actually saves on fuel . they teach you to get in the highest gear depending on speed and conditions.

And I agree message 14 you really only need a clutch to pull away and stop, otherwise you stall, changing gear once moving can all be done by getting the revs right just takes practice, and can save the wear on the clutch.

denizen



Joined: 21/08/2009
Posts: 388

Message Posted:
31/01/2011 15:16

If your car is lightly loaded there's no need for sequential changing when moving up, but make sure the revs equate to the roadspeed when changing down.