Driving a manual transmission car, car gourmets will know well, provides the most fun and rewarding driving experience. But it also requires some skill and attention, as if you’re not careful you can experience the common driver’s ‘car jerk or misfire when changing gears’.
This is really frustrating, causing an uncomfortable driving experience, reducing fuel efficiency and damaging your engine/transmission over time. There are several reasons for this frustrating situation, the obvious of course being the wrong gear. Let’s talk about it, then we will come to other reasons and measures.
Let’s answer our main question first: Why do we shake when we put the car in the wrong gear?
The jolts caused by throwing the car into the wrong gear are caused by overloading the engine and other mechanical components. The car has multiple gears designed for different speeds and torques, and the correct gear selection ensures efficient movement of the car. However, shifting into the wrong gear can cause overload due to the wrong ratio of speed and torque in the engine.
For example, as the speed of the car slows and the driver pulls the clutch pedal to shift into the next gear, if a gear that is not suitable for the speed of the vehicle is selected, the torque in the engine will increase unnecessarily. This excess torque causes an overload of gear and other mechanical components in the engine and transmission. This can cause the vehicle to shake or even damage it.
Therefore, it is important to shift into the correct gear while driving. Each car comes with an owner’s manual that determines which gear is best suited for which speed and torque ranges. If you accidentally shift into the wrong gear and do not switch to the right gear immediately, you may face serious malfunctions.
What are other common causes of car shaking when shifting gears?
There are many reasons why your vehicle may jerk while shifting, other than shifting into the wrong gear, but they can all be summed up in one point: the mismatch between engine speed and transmission speed.
When you shift gears, you need to synchronize the engine speed with the speed of the transmission. If you shift too early or too late, or if you release the clutch too fast or too slow, you will create a sudden change in torque, causing your car to jerk.
Apart from this main reason, there are several reasons for your vehicle to shake while shifting gears. Let’s take a look at them together:
Worn or defective spark plugs
Spark plugs are small devices that create sparks to ignite the fuel-air mixture in engine cylinders. If worn or faulty, they can cause your engine to run unevenly and misfire, causing it to jerk when shifting. You should replace your spark plugs every 48,000 kilometers on average or according to your manufacturer’s recommendations.
Clogged or dirty fuel injectors
Fuel injectors are devices that inject fuel into your engine cylinders in a precise amount and timing. If clogged or dirty, they can deliver too much or too little fuel, which will disrupt the engine’s combustion process and cause jerking or misfire when shifting. You should have your fuel injectors cleaned or replaced every 80,000 kilometers or according to your manufacturer’s recommendations.
Low transmission fluid level or dirty transmission fluid
Transmission fluid is a lubricant that helps your transmission components run smoothly and efficiently. If your transmission fluid level is low or dirty, it can cause your gears to slip or squeak, causing your vehicle to jolt or shake.
You should check your transmission oil level regularly and have it changed every 48,000 kilometers or according to your manufacturer’s recommendations.
Defective clutch components
The clutch system includes the clutch pedal, clutch disc, pressure plate and flywheel. If any of these components are worn or damaged, it can cause your clutch to slip, clutch or squeak, causing your car to jolt or vibrate when shifting.
You should have your clutch components checked and, if necessary, replaced every 80,000-160,000 kilometers, or according to your manufacturer’s recommendations.
Defective engine or transmission mounts
Engine and transmission mounts are rubber or metal brackets that hold your engine and transmission in place and absorb their vibration. If any of these mounts are broken or worn, it can cause your engine or transmission to overdrive, causing your vehicle to jolt or wobble when shifting.
You should have your engine and transmission mounts checked and, if necessary, replace them every 160,000 kilometers or according to your manufacturer’s recommendations.
What should you do to change gears without shaking the car?
The best way to avoid jerking when shifting gears is to make smooth and precise gear shifts. Here are some tips to help you do this:
Pay attention to your revs and speed.
You can use your tachometer (rev gauge) and speedometer needle (KM/H gauge) to help you determine when to shift.
A general rule of thumb is to upshift when RPM reaches about 2500-3000 and downshift when RPM drops below 1500-2000. However, this may vary depending on your vehicle model, driving conditions and personal preference.
Use the clutch pedal correctly.
When you depress the clutch pedal, you should do it smoothly and completely until you reach the ground. When you release the clutch pedal, you should do it gradually and smoothly until it returns to its normal position. Do not release the clutch pedal too fast or too slow; this will cause jerking or misfire.
Match engine speed and transmission speed.
When you shift gears, you must adjust the engine speed to match the transmission speed of the new gear. You can do this using the accelerator pedal.
When you shift up, you need to lower the engine speed by loosening the accelerator pedal a bit before depressing the clutch pedal. When you downshift, you need to slightly depress the accelerator pedal to increase the engine speed before depressing the clutch pedal. This will help you achieve a smooth transition between gears.
Sometimes, even if you follow these tips, your car may still jolt when you shift gears, which indicates a problem with your transmission or other components of your vehicle. There, it would be useful to take a look at the problems in our first sub-title again.
As a result, jerking or misfire when shifting can be frustrating and dangerous, but can be prevented and corrected with proper driving techniques and maintenance. By following our tips you can prevent these problems and extend the life of your transmission and engine.
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