When is it safe to run through more than one gear at a time when shifting?

When is it safe to run through more than one gear at a time when shifting?

• A. When downshifting
• B. Never
• C. When upshifting
• D. Only when stopped

Answer: (A)

When you’re downshifting, you can safely go through more than one gear in a single move. The reason is you’re slowing the vehicle with engine braking and you can match the engine RPM to the lower gears so they mesh smoothly. If you’re decelerating, skipping to a much lower gear helps you control speed without over-relying on the brakes, and you can rev-match (briefly blip the throttle) to keep the engine from lugging or surprising loads on the drivetrain. Upshifting through several gears isn’t the normal or safest practice because the engine speed may be too low for the higher gear, risking lugging or hesitation. And you wouldn’t downshift through gears when you’re stopped or starting from a standstill, since you need the first gear to get moving.

When you’re downshifting, you can safely go through more than one gear in a single move. The reason is you’re slowing the vehicle with engine braking and you can match the engine RPM to the lower gears so they mesh smoothly. If you’re decelerating, skipping to a much lower gear helps you control speed without over-relying on the brakes, and you can rev-match (briefly blip the throttle) to keep the engine from lugging or surprising loads on the drivetrain.

Upshifting through several gears isn’t the normal or safest practice because the engine speed may be too low for the higher gear, risking lugging or hesitation. And you wouldn’t downshift through gears when you’re stopped or starting from a standstill, since you need the first gear to get moving.