It also depends on how powerful the car you are driving is, how the gear ratios are stacked, and how much low-down/midrange torque (pulling power) the car has and then this all depends on how the gear ratios are stacked, a car with a short ratio gear box would require earlier and more frequent gear changes than a car with a longer ratio box. A car with a sharp sudden power delivery such as many turbo charged cars would often require more frequent gear changes to keep the turbo on boil and the engine in the power band than a big lazy V8 which has a very wide power curve. Confusing ?
It is not something you can be told how to do as such, you just get a feel for the car you are driving and know when to do it based on these things, more simply however change up if the engine is getting a bit loud and coarse and the revs are getting a little high (unless you are really wanting to be giving it some
) and change down before the car gets to the point when it can no longer accelerate comfortably in said gear. You will just get the feel of how you drive a manual car smoothly.
No offence, but you haven't really learned to drive until you can drive a manual, 'tis much more rewarding, the control you have over the car is far greater. But then all this can be spoilt by nasty gear boxes and nasty clutches, still I wouldn't worry about those at this stage. Good luck.
[ 01-10-2004, 10:13 AM: Message edited by: Hesperex ]