When to change gear in a manual car - full guide - speed, revs, sound, hills and economy explained

A full guide on when to change gear in a manual car. I explain and demonstrate how to know when to change gear using the speed, revs and engine sound. I also explain and demonstrate how you should change gear differently when you want to accelerate quickly, drive on hills and be economical.
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This video is created by an experienced driving instructor, please subscribe to get my latest videos as I upload them to help you pass the UK Driving Test.
Here is my driving school's website:
www.conquerdriving.co.uk
This video is a guide intended to help people who are learning to drive with a driving instructor in the UK, it is by no means a replacement for driving lessons with an appropriately qualified driving instructor.
Laws and driving rules may be different in your country. The makers of this video cannot be held liable for any consequences caused by any information that is in any way inaccurate, misleading or missing. The makers of this video are not liable for any person's driving other than their own, it is the responsibility of the person driving a vehicle to ensure they drive safely and within the law. The makers of this video are also not liable for any person failing a driving test as a result of the information provided in the video.
00:00 Intro
00:09 Using the speedometer
00:38 Using the revs
02:21 How to be smooth
02:30 Slowing down
04:51 Accelerating quickly and block changing
06:39 Up Hill
07:10 Engine sound
08:11 Down Hill
10:17 Outro

[@singingmyblue8000]

Dude you're awesome. Everyone asks me how I drive as if I've been driving for years although I've only spent less than 10 hours behind the steering wheel, and I can't explain it. It's just that your videos helped me understand my car and the engine and create a type of a relationship with it. Thanks, Richard.

[@ConquerDriving]

I'm happy to hear that 😊

[@mtbmadman187]

Gonna have to see that like. Get a vid up.

[@faraisiziba2746]

He makes everything simple

[@Ripa-Moramee]

Damn bro lucky you, my driving instructor had me on the road after 4 1 hour lessons, it was stressful as fuck but id be lying if i said i didn't have fun at the same time and wws quite proud of myself. Plenty of mistakes, but I was learning so I didn't beat myself up too bad.

[@ambotak99]

Same with me. I've been driving for just two weeks but people say im very smooth. Truly, it's because of this guy's videos lol. They just work like magic.

[@davidcleckley]

You know it's getting serious when he starts doing the classic youtube style thumbnail 👌🏾

[@ConquerDriving]

😂

[@asdf-th8jr]

@@ConquerDriving Is it bad to downshift when revs are up at 3k?

[@edwardtye4119]

@@asdf-th8jr Not normally, as there is about a 1,000RPM difference between gears so it would rev up to around 4,000RPM.

[@Ridantheemperor]

This gentleman has taught me to drive in ways I was told not to do by others. Been driving manual for a week and already picked up on everything pretty good, thank you!!

[@captainnomad]

This video is exactly what I was looking for! A clear cut explanation of when to shift up and shift down. I know the real answer is "listen to the engine, you'll feel it" but until I have that intuition and the feel for it, I need real instructions. This is perfect and so clearly explained! Thank you!

[@sikoina]

I watch his videos before my driving lessons just so I could refresh my brain and calm down heh-

[@ConquerDriving]

I hope they help.

[@listen7634]

Thank you! I’m here in the US and it’s ridiculously hard to find someone that knows how to drive stick. Your videos taught me the nuances of driving manual that even the friends that were helping me learn couldn’t explain.

[@Errk2G]

Amen to that!!!

[@Dr.Kornelius]

I once confused the tachometer with a speedometer when starting my driving test. (And tried to get a car to 50kmph) Needless to say, it was a very short test :D

[@ConquerDriving]

😂 It's good that you can laugh about it.

[@pjvla03]

Can't lie I've been doing this for the past 17 almost 18 years of my life... Ive only just learnt this, glad I learnt this now... Does make alot of sense now tho

[@boyananakiev4896]

@@ConquerDriving This was literally me on my first lesson. The teacher made me drive in busy areas in the city and go all the way up to 5th gear on my first time with the pre-text that that's his method and that it's better to learn in real situations, nevermind that I could barely change gears or know what the hell I'm doing 😂 30-40 minutes in to the lesson after I've been changing (or at least trying my best) gears per his instructions I realize I was wondering why he is telling me to change to 5th gear when I'm only going 20km/h per hour.. then I realize I was looking at the tachometer and not the speedometer all this time.. I was so stressed.

[@mrj4082]

@@pjvla03 how have been doing for 18 years? How did you pss your driving test?

[@pjvla03]

@@mrj4082 when watching other people drive dummy. 🙄

[@Etapia562]

Thank you. My dad was teaching me how to drive stick shift and with your videos supplementing my learning , I feel like I’m mastering driving a manual car in just few weeks! Best teacher out there

[@Tomcat-rj5tp]

I've never seen such a full guide in 11 minutes, this helped a lot with telling me when to shift

[@akin1989]

You are a great teacher man. Keep up the good work! We have far too many bad drivers on UK roads that need to see your work!

[@vnessa01]

This is hands down the best video I've seen on when to change gears! Thank you so much.

[@aesirbond1695]

Your videos never disappoint. I keep on learning and learning new things whenever I visit your channel. Keep it up and more power!

[@MrGrosMamouth]

Hey, just wanted to let you know I watched your videos last year before I buy my first manual car and I still have it and have showed some people how to drive a manual. Thanks!

[@user-lh4iw8qp8o]

Amazing video. So glad I discovered you. Was always confused about when to change geared. Taught me everything my instructor didn’t.

[@mohamedabdelsalam7856]

this is the best drive learning channel i found on youtube, you made me to understand every step i am doing with the car not just to memorize some steps, everything is well explained , thanks much richard

[@ScoobyB260]

I just bought a 1992 Nissan Maxima SE 5 Speed. And you've basically taught me how to drive it. Even though I had basic manual knowledge before discovering your videos I thank you bro and appreciate all of your videos!

[@flosspotz5399]

This is really helpful. I am on my fifth lesson and doing roundabouts now and the gear changes were worrying me and know when to change. So thank you. You also have a very calming way if teaching

[@lucianSom]

good stuff dude, i already got my licensee but havnt driven since (been 3 weeks) and no one really taught me when to change, i was doing it by feel the whole time, this actually helped me understand

[@acid123ist]

Instant subscribe, been driving for years now but never had anyone explain the engine and driving mechanics this clearly. Cheers!

[@GeekyMino]

Dude your videos are really helpful and provide high quality info. You explain everything clearly with the right amount of details. I binged your channel for the past week😁 Keep up the great work!

[@ConquerDriving]

Thank you for watching, I'm happy to hear you like the videos.

[@DrippinginSarcasm]

thank you so much for your videos, never driven a manual in my life up until a week ago, really helping to quickly learn technic.

[@fbkseanoyaz8669]

Hi, this is a very very late reply but I wanted to say thank you for being a big help in helping me learn how to drive. You've answered many of my questions in your videos and I'm grateful for your help. You've helped me improve my skills and understand my car further. Thank you for always guiding me with your videos. You really are a great instructor.

[@rizzajanejparico3183]

Thank you for all of your help! A quite old newbie here!! Keeping your caveats in mind during driving!! Thank you thank you thank you from my part of the world!

[@HoangDong2216]

Nice guide, i have been confused about these things sometimes and ask many people for diff answer and you make it really clear. Thank u

[@elliegrace7595]

You are a *legend* for this

[@oliveungai6556]

Nice teaching

[@emaylyn3138]

I really love the way you explained everything as it is very clear, love watching your vlog it really helps! Thanks a lot. 👍🏼

[@markm5927]

Genuinely one of the most helpful videos I've ever watched

[@legalbeagle295]

The very best video Ive seen on this, no other video shown the tach, speed while explaining. Thank you so much, awesome

[@alancapati9056]

Hey man i greatly appreciate what you do. Im from the philippines and luckily i stumbled on your videos. Ive learned so much from you especially that i just got my first car. Thanks man youre the best and God bless!

[@Thee_kyle_Weezy_Harler]

U literally helped me learn to drive my car. Thank u so much I'm forever grateful

[@mawanda8980]

I'm so obsessed with your channel, and I've learnt alot by watching ur videos. My driving skills have improved alot, just by watching your videos, and I just got my driver's license last week Tuesday and I'm still watching ur videos🤣. Thank you so much for your channel, may God Bless you man❤! All the way from South Africa 💃🇿🇦

[@ConquerDriving]

Thank you, I'm very happy to hear that. Congratulations on getting your licence.

[@mawanda8980]

@@ConquerDriving thank you! 🙏

[@MirandaXxRose]

this is one of the best videos explaining this i have ever seen. he made it so logical and easy. thanks!

[@SaltMerchant]

The best time to change gear is when the needle is sword-fighting in the hot zone

[@ConquerDriving]

😂

[@varunsood31]

🤣

[@marcocarvalho3619]

You have a Honda Civic no? 🤣

[@lorrainelou4449]

😂😂

[@masterbowler1630]

not funny

[@YuraF96]

This content is so good and clear. Watching it from Ukraine and love it

[@airricoutdoors2045]

Thanks man, you’re the best on KZbin! I really appreciate it! Waaay more confident now!

[@recardoklein135]

Thanks for this video. I love listening to you and watching your videos. Infact you taught me how to drive better. Thank you once again😊

[@vishakr7194]

Very underated KZbin channel seriously helping me in learning. Thanks a lot love from India ✌️

[@serenababe]

Thanks for this video it’s super helpful! You’re a driving instructor legend! 😁

[@bundhoonadeem]

This guy is the best and I’m learning for free.

[@luwammoges1303]

This one is very helpful just like the rest of your videos! thank you loads!

[@kbem1129]

Omg I really needed this video!! 🙂thankyou!

[@rickcalix]

This answered all the questions i had about manuals. Time to test it out.

[@chunLi29]

Im a beginner, and i only judge by engine sound, but I've learned new things thanks to this video

[@Ihu_aku]

Just what I have been looking for

[@lovelymchezron8134]

Thanks a lot. This really helps. New driver here with a manual car. ❤ I've learned so much from you than my instructor 🤣

[@ConquerDriving]

I'm happy to hear that thank you 😊

[@iSaurabhSri]

Belonging to India, a country with right-hand driving system, your videos are quite relatable to me. You have a nice method of explaning things.

[@hankxiang2042]

Richard - you're the best and a year ago when I first started driving stick, I binged through all your tutorials and learnt so many things! One thing which I did realise though is that the sweet spot RPM really just depends on the car itself, and not the power of the engine. I drive a Subaru Liberty/Legacy H6 (which is by no means a low-powered car) and I found the sweet spot to be around 2500RPM. When I first bought it, I tried to keep the revs between 1000-2000RPM which you've recommended but the car felt underpowered / slow to respond and almost lugged in some instances. I spoke with the previous owner and he confirmed that I should downshift if I go below 2000RPM. I drove my friend's MR2 afterwards and my friend told me to keep it at around 3000(!)RPM. But the lower-powered car that my instructor had was a Mazda 2, and that car was happily cruising at around 1500RPM.

[@ConquerDriving]

This is true, there a re cars that require you to keep the revs above 2000rpm but they're often very old now.

[@digitulized459]

These videos are awesome as an american lol. Almost no one drives manual here so I've been binging your videos as I just bought a manual and trying to self-teach and learn from friends.

[@munim711]

It is really helpful for a new driver like me. Thank you so much.

[@beckyb76563]

Thank you! I have just switched from a 2002 1.2L polo to a 2019 1.0L and was worried it had a speed limiter on it because it felt like it wasn't going above 60mph even though I had my foot down. The dealer who I bought it from explained I need to change gear at a higher rev than what I am used to. Your video is really helpful. :) I'm going to have to practice and get used to it.

[@franktemba5293]

Teaching skills at max level learning alot 👏🏻

[@SalemElAsmar]

This man is an absolute legend!

[@Wagner97]

Excellent video, answered nearly all my questions, looking forward for a Rev match video

[@ConquerDriving]

Here you go: kzbin.info/www/bejne/Y4PRgYinZ96oqpY

[@og_gamer_bmore7984]

This is very good information.. thanks so much for this vid. Been learning how to drive a manual car. You explained it perfectly!

[@Ourfamacc]

😯😯 Fantastic advice! I never knew this. Ill be starting my driving lessons again soon il be sure to remember this and the rest of advice your channel brings Thank you

[@norahdiseko5879]

I love your videos, in South Africa and I am learning so much🎉🎉

[@IvyManoj]

For real, considered flying all the way to colchester from India to have you teach me for a moment. I think that’s a good price to save me all the stress I get with my dad yelling my ear off next to me

[@heathdafeath]

Thanks for this, feels like mine is the only car without a tachometer. Super helpful! :)

[@gaz3146]

love your videos m8, very informative, doing lessons now and they`re a lot of help.

[@dariusvasile7499]

Salute from ireland thank you for your videos i learned a lot from them

[@nirangadilshan2157]

I am from Sri Lanka and I could not attend driving school much and never liked the teacher anyway. You are the best. I now love manual cars and will never ever drive an auto. Manuals are so much fun!

[@lasanatouray6312]

Thanks a lot my bro watching from Italy 🇮🇹 🙏 your vedio do help a lot 🙏

[@qkik6240]

Thanks for clearing my doubts

[@rodnyc.8876]

Thanks for your work. Greetings from Costa Rica

[@jackbourbon]

👍Glad I found your channel after getting my first manual car 35 years of driving. Great tips for getting better and a bit smoother. Thanks!

[@ConquerDriving]

That's really generous! Thank you. I hope you're enjoying your car.

[@jackbourbon]

​@@ConquerDriving So far it is good. 2016 Mazda MX5. Reason I found your channels. While waiting for the car to be dropped off at my place, I was searching for MX5 and manual driving.

[@notgeorgina4979]

This is exactly what I needed thank you so much

[@JupiterTechnology12.000]

Thank You Richard Manual Transmissions are Amazing

[@fofanasoribasokhilly]

It is very helpful and deeply aapreciated your help.

[@Mushy0]

Very helpful, cant wait to get my provisional 😁

[@milenadishlieva5139]

Exactly the things I wanted to know! Awesome

[@isabelsalgado2001]

I love the sound effects and the thumbnail 🤣

[@senthilkumaravel1830]

Nice. Learned lot. Thanks for the great effort and sharing.

[@adz4301]

Thanks for the video! Great job 👏🏽

[@LampteyBenjamin]

I once change gear without stepping on the clutch and I got noise from my instructor... the shout made me a better driver...

[@thomasnthapang3704]

This was very helpful thank you very much

[@toonarmy.]

He makes it so easy to understand 👏

[@amrickdhillon1283]

I drive an '05 MAzda 3 s 2.3l, and I will say that the crude speeds in the beginning are actually surprisingly accurate. Personally, I go about a few mph below those speeds, but its still very very smooth at those crude speeds, in case anyone needs a good starting point.

[@sketchmotiontv4012]

Really appreciate your tutorials

[@jd3413]

Bro, i watched your videos. I was having a problem moving the car after watching your videos, I'm now driving 😊

[@andrewotieno270]

Wow, this amazing, so helpful keep it up. I like your channel

[@SasiruNemitha]

I'm passed my driving Exam because of your videos thanks conquer driving 😍😍 Love From Sri Lanka

[@michellemurowanidzwa3319]

Thanks. I'm still new at driving. This helped me so much. Cos I hv been finishing the petrol way to quickly cos of my gear changing 😅

[@xxdomplayz2154]

Crystal clear video 👍

[@diegoalvarez6861]

Thanks for the advice man!!

[@Adman1175]

I've driven manual for over 20 years but I've still learnt a lot from watching your excellent videos. Thank you!

[@lifeofbean3332]

Your videos are so so helpful! the only advice my instructor has regarding gears "you should feel when to go down/up". This is with 1h a week practice as I have no access to a car...

[@ConquerDriving]

Haha, yeah that is very helpful advice 😂 You have to learn the sound the car makes for when you need to change gear, using the rev counter helps you learn.

[@two-zero]

Thank you bro for this awesome tutorial.

[@tombob641]

Very helpful m8, you are good I must say

[@UNEEKMEDIA_TV]

Thanks so much this was really helpfull🥺

[@bud700]

Thank you for your thorough explosion! I'm very grateful for every minute you spend to make this video!

[@ndabenhlemhlongo7231]

your explanations are dope!

[@danshule3965]

Thx allot for ur lessons.i have learnt allot from you.

[@Johnykeys]

Thanks.. It was helpful

[@ledyberd4631]

You are a great teacher thank you so much very helpful video!

[@percyrodriguesetg6032]

Thanks for nicely explaining good job

[@niloufarzand4195]

Very helpful video🙌🏻🙏🏼👏🏼

[@sreekantabhattacharjee2950]

you are awesome❤️. I am from Bangladesh. you are really a good teacher. I have learnt many things from you.

[@danshule3965]

Colling wood thx allot for ur lessons

[@gehgy11]

Amazing. Thank you richard

[@suleimanbabaabu7052]

Your the best instructor