What is 3rd gear used for?

3 – Third gear
To be used when you require more power but less speed and to prevent the transmission from shifting to a higher gear. These gears may be used when going up or down hills and on road conditions like slush, loose gravel, snow, sand or ice, where you need more power but less speed.
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When should I use gear 3?

When to Use Lower Gears
  1. L/Low – Driving slowly on steep hills.
  2. Second – Driving on steep hills at a steady pace (somewhat faster than Low)
  3. Third – For cruising at a slow and steady pace, especially while towing or in bad weather.
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What does 3 mean on a car gear shift?

For example, in a four-speed, selecting 3 would allow the automatic transmission to shift among 1st gear, 2nd gear and 3rd gear, but 4th gear would be locked out, accessible only by selecting Drive.
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Is it better to drive in 3 or D?

Using the third gear while driving at a low speed will help you to achieve a higher rev to which the car will respond better. Leaving the gear in D while you are driving in the city means overwork for the transmission.
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What happens if you drive in 3?

When towing things, you usually put it in third to prevent rapid shifting between third and fourth, but it's still fine to drive the speed limit in most places. A bit of gas millage loss, but other than that, you're fine.
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When To Change Gear In A Manual/Stick Shift Car. Changing Gears Tips. Learning To Drive.



What is the slowest gear?

The lowest gear in a manual car is 1st gear, followed by 2nd gear. In an automatic car, lower gears are marked differently depending on the vehicle and are commonly indicated by: Number '1' for 1st gear and number '2' for 2nd gear. The letter 'L' for low gear.
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What gear should I be in at 30mph?

Third gear is a very flexible gear in modern cars, including diesel cars, and it's the ideal gear when you need to keep your speed to 30mph or under.
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What gear should you be in going uphill?

1st gear is best when the road is steep, tight and windy. It delivers slow speed but high power for the hill.
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What gear is best for snow?

Something that could mean the difference between a collision and a safe stop on snow or ice. Keep your vehicle in 1st or 2nd gear on snow or ice. A lower gear not only keeps your car moving slower, it gives the tires more power and more traction which is vitally needed on slick roads.
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Can you shift into D3 while driving?

Yes, you can switch gears from D to D3 while driving an automatic transmission car. However, it would be best to slow down a bit before switching down from D to D3 if you approach a hill.
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What happens if you drive in D3?

The D3 you see in an automatic transmission means Drive 3. This gear engages and locks the third gear so it won't shift automatically to other driving gears.
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Is D3 gear good for snow?

I use D3 in snowy conditions and climbing hills. In the winter, it helps prevent slippage from gear shifts. You can't slow down in the snow on a hill or you will get stuck. This helps traction a bit.
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What is 4th gear used for?

4th gear. This is a gear used when raising the speed further than 3rd speed. Use it on a large road such as a national highway when you are traveling at a speed that allows you to get into the flow.
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What is the fastest gear?

Remember each car will be geared slightly differently, but a good rule of thumb for changing gears is that first gear is for speeds up to 10 mph, second gear is for speeds up to 15 mph, third gear is for speeds up to 35 mph, fourth gear is for speeds up to 55 mph, fifth gear is for speeds up to 65 mph, and sixth gear ...
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Does 3rd gear use more gas?

Driving in the highest gear possible without labouring the engine is a fuel-efficient way of driving. Driving at 60 km/h, a vehicle will use 25 per cent more fuel in third gear than it would in fifth. Travelling at fast rates in low gears can consume up to 45 per cent more fuel than is needed.
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What is 5th gear used for?

The lower gears of the transmission are used for normal acceleration of the vehicle to the desired cruising speed. The highest gear of the transmission is used to maintain the desired speed. The fifth gear is recommended for use in maintaining highway cruising speeds.
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What gear is 60 mph?

You'll use 5th or 6th gear for highway cruising at speeds of 60 mph to 70 mph and are ideal gears for best fuel economy. You'll usually change up from 4th gear into 5th or 6th gear at a speed of around 40 mph or so.
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Is it okay to drive in 2nd gear?

It's a totally fluid coupling, and since there's no clutch plate to wear down, it doesn't pose a real risk. Most automatic transmissions have a W (Winter) mode that starts off in second gear to help prevent the tires from spinning on slick pavement. So, for most drivers, starting in second gear is really no issue.
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How fast can you go in 2nd gear?

The maximum recommended speed in 2nd gear is: 69 mph (110 km/h). This position is to be used when stronger engine braking is needed. The maximum recommended speed in 1st gear is: 31 mph (50 km/h).
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What is riding the clutch?

Another situation that can cause extra stress and wear is when a driver 'rides' the clutch. This usually happens when a driver has failed to take their foot of the clutch pedal after changing gear, so the clutch isn't fully re-engaged.
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What gear should I use for downhill?

Use lower gears to go downhill

When you start to head back downhill, use your engine and transmission to slow the car down instead of the brakes. Shift to a lower gear before you start heading downhill, as this will help slow down the car without you having to ride the brakes, says the National Park Service.
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Is driving in low gear bad?

Long Declines: Shifting to low gear while driving downhill helps maintain a slow and steady speed. You won't burn up your transmission, and you don't need to ride your brakes for extended distances. Doing so can lead to brake failure down the road, so using low gear can help prevent that damage.
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Can you change gear while braking?

If you are stopping, you don't change down gears at all - brake down, clutch down, when you stop handbrake on, first gear and ready to go again. If you are just reducing your speed, for example to slow from 40 to 20 because of parked cars, then you can stay in the highest gear possible until you need more power.
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