Can I change gear like that?
Yes!

Many pupils are surprised at the suggestion of skipping out, or missing out what we could call the “intermediate gear“.

Don’t be put off

Many people learning to drive may realise that block changing is more common coming down the gearbox. A familiar change of 4th to 2nd might put your mind to rest a little.
It is encouraged on many other levels as well as learner driving. On a driving test you will be required to gear change more proficiently than 1-2-3-4-5-6 and 6-5-4-3-2-1

Block Changing

When it comes to block changing you can choose any gear you like, as long as it will be suitable for the circumstances. Remember that, because it’s important!

For example, changing from 1st to 3rd isn’t a common block change but will work if your road speed (mph) is high enough for 3rd, and the road circumstances allow for it… i.e. you are not climbing uphill, or about to join the tail-end of a queue of traffic.
Neither of these circumstances are suitable to continuing 3rd gear speeds, so what would be the point?

3rd to 1st?

This is a little more common as it’s a gear change frequently used at T junctions, but will only work if your road speed is slow enough to cope with change in gear.

What speeds do we do in 1st?

Certainly walking speed or less, or making a stationary start is where you will use 1st.
Make sure you don’t shift into 1st while doing more than 5 mph. Make sure that you are slow enough, or the engine will struggle to cope with the change in gear and the higher speeds you were doing.
Possible catastrophic engine damage may happen.

You have been warned!

3rd to 5th?

A very common block change by drivers, especially after an overtake. In fact it will likely have been 5th to 3rd to overtake and then 3rd to 5th to cruise again once completing the overtake. Incidentally it might not be an overtake, just increased acceleration to any suitable speeds for 5th.

Experience

As your experience grows in a vehicle you will soon appreciate the 3rd Gear acceleration abilities from 30mph to 70mph, great for overtaking.
Make use of the speed and improve your fuel savings by block changing, once you have reached the desired speeds.

Block Shifts

Other common block shifts up are 2nd to 4th, 3rd to 5th, 4th to 6th and lastly 3rd to 6th, but only if you have read the manufacturers handbook and have learned where the best gearshift points are. These can be reversed e.g. 4th to 2nd and 5th to 3rd etc.

Often you can exceed the point of changing into 6th while using 3rd hence the block change mentioned earlier, but remember the road circumstances must allow for this and don’t over strain your engine.

Do not allow your engine to labour by shifting up to a higher gear too early.
Do not allow your engine to labour by shifting down to a lower gear too late.

Either of the above will be detrimental to your engine and your fuel economy.

When it comes to gear shifting, it’s best to read the Manufactures Handbook for your vehicle and follow the guidelines for economic gear shifting.
This will ensure not only the best fuel economy but also the longevity of your engine.
If your vehicle is fitted with a rev counter then this can be also be used.
Changing gear at lower revs will not only result in a quieter smoother drive, but will also induce the very economical fuel returns.

The modern car

In the modern car, the mechanics have improved immensely allowing for this more “flexible” approach, we are able to skip out gears or block change e.g. 5th to 2nd.
The benefits from applying this method of gear changing will include better fuel economy, more steering control in emergencies, less wear and tear everywhere on the car and overall less driver fatigue.

Before…

you make your next gear shift, how about reading the circumstances in front a little more?
Then question the need to make 1 or 2 or 3 gear shifts. This will be important to do when the circumstances may require only one positive gear change at the right time.

We teach learners today wherever possible to make only one gear shift per hazard e.g. per roundabout, per traffic light.
This will eliminate the need for multiple changes that may be reducing the vehicle control when the hand is off the wheel making a shift.

Also see:

Eco driving.

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Tags: block gear changing, eco, economical driving, gear changing, gear shifting, learning to drive, pass the driving test, performance driving