Shifting Gears

The gear shift lever indicators tell you what gear you have an automatic transmission in on your vehicle. The shift solenoid tells the transmission when to shift gears and what gear to shift into.…

Poulan produces the Poulan, Poulan Pro, Weed Eater and McCulloch equipment lines. The company makes both front- and rear-tine tillers. In many models, the shift lever, also called the shift rod,…

Troy-Bilt lawn tractors such as the Pony and Horse models require a separate gear shift to move your mower forward or in reverse. This transmission is powered either manually or by a hydrostatic…

All automobiles posses a device known as a shifter, which allows users to select the operating mode for their vehicle. With the shifter, drivers can choose for their car to park, drive, move in…

The Ford Motor Company manufactured the C4 and C6 three-speed automatic transmissions. These two automatics were very similar, but the C4 transmitted power for compact and mid-size passenger cars with…

When your starter key is not turning over your car's engine, one of the likely problems is that the gear is locked. To start the engine, also known as "turning it over," the gear must be…

The 350Z is a high performance car manufactured by Nissan between 2002 and 2009. Switching gears in the manual transmission models of the Nissan 350Z requires you to operate a clutch. The clutch…

Chain stabilizers, also known as chain guides or bash guards, are found on downhill and freeride mountain bicycles. Designed to keep the chain firmly in line with the drive train and geared teeth, a…

"Need for Speed: ProStreet" is a racing game by Electronic Arts for various game consoles, including the Xbox 360, PlayStation 3 and Nintendo Wii. The game features multiple racing modes…

Manual transmission automobiles require the driver to depress the clutch pedal to move the shift lever into different gears. Due to the complex nature of cars, a problem with the shifting lever can…

The Land Rover model vehicles, such as the Freelander, Defender, LR models and the Range Rovers come equipped with a gift shift lever that is attached to the shifting linkage by a E-clip. The E-clip…

The gearshift cable on the Jeep Cherokee is a cable that allows shifting from gear to gear when the vehicle is in motion. It runs from the gear shift to the linkage mounted on the transmission. There…

Transmission fluid leaking from your motorcycle most often indicates the oil seal at the shift lever needs to be replaced. Typical signs of a bad seal are traces of fluid on the face of the gearbox…

Double shifting, also known as double clutching, is a way to downshift a manual transmission to get more power from the engine at a lower gear. It is unnecessary in a car which has a synchronized…

Along surface streets and in residential neighborhoods, your automatic transmission gets a workout, shifting gears constantly. In many instances three to four gear up-shifts occur just to get to the…

An automatic transmission assembly removes the need to manually change gears, allowing the automatic transmission to adapt to changes in the engine to choose the right gear. The automatic transmission…

Automatic transmissions have been available for more than 60 years, in one form or another. Many of the first fully automatic transmissions had two forward speeds and required rigorous maintenance.…

Double-clutching can only be accomplished in a manual transmission car or truck. This technique was once used extensively in older automobiles before the advent of the synchromesh transmission, and is…

Manual vehicle transmissions require the operator to manually shift through a range of gears, starting from a low gear and progressing to the highest gear, in order to propel the vehicle. By using a…

All vehicles, including the 1990 GMC Jimmy, have specific axle gear ratio ranges as stipulated by their manufacturers. A good gear ratio, such as 4:10, allows the most power transfer from the engine…

Aftermarket gear shifters are available for a number of vehicles for both decorative and repair needs. The Malibu shifter handle is attached to the shift lever using a simple pin which holds the…

Getting a truck out of fourth gear and into either third or fifth gear is nothing like upshifting or downshifting in an automobile. The ability to smoothly shift gears in a truck is crucial for the…

Shifting a Freightliner 10-speed manual transmission takes skill, coordination, awareness of engine rpm and practice. The skills required include knowing when to upshift and downshift, dictated by…

A four-wheel drive truck, commonly referred to as a 4x4, has the ability to go off-road due to all four tires having power from the drivetrain. In order to ensure safety with your 4x4 pickup truck…

The valve body is a part of an automatic transmission that aids in the gear shifting process. But, like any mechanical device, problems may affect the valve body.

Broadly defined, a standard boat or airplane propeller is a helical propeller. Propellers are generally thought of as a device that propels a boat or airplane; they have two or more blades and spin on…

Over the years, the seats on your Ranger 185 can become worn through normal wear and tear as well as accidents that lead to upholstery and frame damage. You may then find it necessary to remove your…

Although trucks are much larger and more powerful than other vehicles, they require similar driving techniques, such as shifting gears and turning carefully. Shifting gears in a 10-speed international…

The 1990 Subaru Legacy came equipped with a five-speed manual gear box. A damaged gear shift on your Legacy can result in an inability to change gears. Replacing the gear shift is a straightforward…

The 1998 GMC Sierra is a full-size pickup truck manufactured by General Motors. Renowned for durability, the 1998 GMC Sierra can, however, experience transmission problems that often can be resolved…

Shifting a Fuller Roadranger Transmission takes practice. The biggest obstacle is not using the clutch to shift. Once the RPM (revolutions per minute) gauge starts to rise, the next gear is easy to…

The GMC Jimmy Sierra was a SUV built from 1969 to 2005. It was based on GM's medium truck platform, the Silverado/Sierra. It came equipped with four-wheel drive that allowed the driver to switch…

Many car owners are torn between the speed and control allowed by a manual transmission and the ease of use presented by an automatic transmission. Luckily, there is something that satisfies both…

You may experience issues with your Volkswagen Jetta's manual transmission if the transmission fluid is low, the transmission is wearing down, or if the third gear synchro is broken. Once you've…

Automatic transmissions are more common these days, but for people who still enjoy the hands-on approach, a manual, or standard, transmission can present a few problems. Your car's engine transfers…

Introduced in 1964, and named after the city of Malibu, California, the Chevrolet Malibu is a mid-size automobile manufactured by General Motors. The Chevy Malibu can develop shifter problems that…

Automatic transmissions perform all of the tasks normally done by the driver in a car with a manual transmission. They shift up and down as needed, return the engine to neutral when at rest, and…

A Honda Rancher is a large two- or four-wheel drive All-Terrain Vehicle (ATV) with a locking differential. This differential allows you to change from rear-wheel drive to four-wheel drive with the…

The Chevrolet Trailblazer, a mid-size sport utility vehicle available with front-wheel or four-wheel drive, was introduced in 2002. Edmunds.com contends that the Trailblazer was among the best in its…

Heavy duty trucks are equipped with either an automatic or manual transmission. Manual, also known as straight shift, offers several benefits over an automatic, as well as the other way around. Which…

The Mercedes SLK 320 was made from 2001 to 2004. It is part of the Mercedes SLK family which also includes the SLK 300 and the SLK 230. The "320" part of its name comes from its engine size (3.2L).…

The Trailblazer is a sport utility vehicle (SUV) manufactured by Chevrolet between 2002 and 2009. If your vehicle won't start, check a few simple areas before hiring a mechanic.

According to the Integrated Publisher website, an automatic transmission linkage consists of a throttle kick-down and a gear shift selector. If either part malfunctions, this can cause a complete…

Jump seats in extended cab pickup trucks, as opposed to the bench seats supplied with crew cab trucks, allow one additional person to sit behind either the driver or passenger. While this is…

The Pilot is a mid-sized SUV manufactured by Honda that debuted in 2003. On later model Honda Pilots the vehicle comes with an optional 4WD system, dubbed the "VTM-4" system by Honda, which stands for…

At first, the clutch line, which carries hydraulic fluid to the clutch, may seem difficult to disconnect from the clutch assembly. The fitting is a quick-disconnect type of fitting, which requires a…

The clutch line, which carries hydraulic fluid to the clutch, may seems difficult to remove because of its special fitting. In fact, though, the hydraulic line is equipped with a quick disconnect…

The 2005 Toyota Sequoia only comes with an automatic transmission. This means that it is extremely easy to shift gears, as it has no clutch, gear stick or any of the other characteristic components of…

Spur and helical gears are two different types of mechanical gears. A spur gear is circular and has its teeth pointing straight out from the center. A helical gear is also circular, but its teeth are…

A broken shift cable isn't an expensive repair. The cable connects the gear shifter to the shifting arm of the engine. A sleeve houses the shift cable to keep it free of dirt and grim. The purpose of…

The 1998 Dodge Dakota came as a four-speed automatic or a five-speed manual. Replacing the gear shift in a five-speed manual Dodge Dakota requires little mechanical skill. Truck transmission repair…

Pickup trucks with four-wheel drive, or 4x4 (pronounced "four by four"), can shift between gears in the vehicle's transmission or from two-wheel drive to four-wheel drive via the transfer case.…

Transmission problems can spell major issues for your car or truck. A vehicle with an automatic transmission needs that transmission to work properly in order to be drivable. Transmission problems can…

Four-wheel-drive capabilities allow a vehicle's motor to provide power to all four wheels, which helps improve traction in a variety of driving conditions including snow and mud. Toyota manufactures a…

The Pontiac Grand Am is available in manual and automatic transaxle configurations. The shifter cable is part of the automatic transaxle and is one of the few repairs feasible on an automatic by a 'Do…

From the 1980s through 1991, Ford Rangers used a hydraulic clutch that included a concentric slave cylinder located inside the bell housing of the transmission. Replacing the clutch requires…

Most large trucks use manual transmissions with many more gears than a standard car. Nine-speed and 13-speed transmissions are both commonly found on tractor-trailers. The procedure for shifting gears…

The United States Department of Energy (DOE) reports that the 1998 Chevrolet Blazer is a two-wheel drive vehicle with a fuel economy rating of 14 mpg in the city and 20 mpg on the highway. With the…

The Chevy Malibu continues to appeal to car drivers with its classy, sleek design inside and out. You may want to remove the top portion of your Chevy Malibu's gear shift lever, also known as the…

Most trucks use a basic shift pattern in the form of an "H," based on the the standard five-speed transmission cars use. Trucks using 13-speed transmissions allow certain gears to have high and low…

"Transmission slip" is a term used to describe a transmission that is not operating properly. A slipping transmission adds stress to the transmission and other drive-train components and if not…

The Pontiac Grand Am has shift cables in both the five-speed manual and automatic trans-axle models. The shift cable links the gear shift lever inside the passenger compartment with the trans-axle,…

Most consumer cars with manual transmissions have what are referred to as "synchronous transmissions." That is, the gears on both the drive train and the engine (the two components which disengage…

The Roadranger is a heavy duty transport truck. Driving one can be tricky, but with a clear understanding of the vehicle and training, it is not so different from driving a car. There are many gears…

The Jeep Wagoneer transfer case transfers power from the transmission to the front and rear wheels. The transfer case allows the driver to shift between two- and four-wheel drive modes, and between…

Transmission problems are one of the most expensive and dreaded vehicle repairs that car owners have to make. Replacing or repairing a transmission can cost several thousand dollars and typically…

The driver's seat in the 1998 Ford Ranger is a bucket seat, which means it does not connect to the passenger seat as in older Ford Rangers. This allows Ford to install electronics in the seat to help…

The Chevy truck has a transmission shift cable which runs from the gear shift to the transmission linkage. This cable is what changes gears when the Chevy truck driver manipulates the shift lever.…

The gear shift lever lock in your Dodge Durango is designed to prevent the vehicle from slipping in and out of gear unintentionally. Dodge has recalled a number of Durangos based on the gearshift not…

The Ford Focus, which was first produced in 1999, is a compact car available as a hatchback, sedan or wagon. There are many instances when raising your Focus off the ground with a jack may be…

When a transmission slips out of gear, the engine is not adequately connecting to the crankshaft. Since the clutch is the piece of equipment that connects the engine to the crankshaft, a slipping…

The automatic transmission linkage in every automobile has the same function, whether the gears are shifted from the column or on the floor. Problems can occur in the automatic transmission linkage…

Using the four-wheel drive in your Jeep will help improve traction and handling when driving on loose or slippery surfaces. The 2000 Cherokee uses a three-speed transfer case with two-wheel drive,…

Most vehicle seats are secured to with four bolts each; however, many electrical connections are often involved. The most common reasons for vehicle seat removal is to replace the carpet, remove the…

The two primary types of gear systems are spur gears and helical gears. On a spur gear, the teeth are parallel to the axis, but on a helical gear, they are set at an angle. Spur gears are generally…

Four-wheel drive low is the four-wheel drive setting reserved for serious off-road driving. In situations when you simply need extra traction, four-wheel drive high works fine. To move your Toyota…

The Ford Ranger is a compact pickup truck that entered the automotive market in 1983. During the 1986 model year, a larger "Super Cab" trim option became available that included additional seating for…

While driving your five-speed manual BMW 323i at full throttle, it's common to experience some power loss as you perform gear changes under heavy acceleration. By employing the power shift technique,…

The 1998 Pontiac Trans Am was a continuation of American-built muscle car history. The 1998 Trans Am has a 5.7-liter (350 cubic inch) engine, capable of putting out 305 horsepower and 335 foot-pounds…

The rearview mirror mounting tabs in most passenger vehicles are affixed to the windshield glass with a special adhesive. This adhesive is designed to allow the tab to be removed without cracking the…

Chevrolet Blazers produced in 1998 were available in two and four door models, along with the option of two- or four-wheel drive. Trim levels ranged from base to LT, each with a list of different…

The 3-speed "H pattern" gear shift on the column was standard equipment for many American-made vehicles up to the mid-1970s. After that, the gear shift on most cars moved to the floor. The "H pattern"…

Chevrolet completely redesigned the Trailblazer, its basic midsize SUV, in 2002 in an attempt to compete with Ford's Explorer SUV. The automaker redesigned the engine, suspension and brakes, making…

The Toyota 4Runner comes with a standard-size shifter mount. This makes it easy to install an upgraded or replacement shift bulb. You are better off purchasing a new shift bulb from a local auto…

The tire jack in a 2002 Chevrolet Silverado is provided to lift the pickup in order to remove the wheel and tire in the event of a blowout or for any other reason you might need to lift the car,…

The trunk liner in a Toyota Corolla is designed to protect the cargo from the hard, steel trunk floor. The trunk liner also creates friction between the trunk floor and the cargo, preventing it from…

The hood on a 2008 Dodge Charger is made from stamped steel sheet metal. It is attached to the hood hinges with metric steel bolts. The hood contains two washer jets, one on each side of the…

Shifting on a motorcycle is otherwise very similar to shifting gears in an automobile with manual transmission. Some Honda motorcycles have a light on the handlebar assembly that indicates when the…

Spur gears, the most common type of gear, are often used because they are the simplest to design and manufacture, and are the most efficient, as well. Spur gears have straight teeth that are situated…

A car uses a transmission system to send power generated by the internal combustion engine to other components. The transmission valve body is an integral part of this system.

Shifting between a dirt bike's gears effectively is an acquired skill, requiring coordination between your hands and left foot. The actual mechanics involved are deceptively simple, but learning how…

A motor encoder is essential to the functioning of a vehicle's transmission and its four-wheel drive. It consists of a gear-reduction assembly and a permanent magnet motor.

Spur gears are the most common and also the oldest type of gear available. They are used in many different machines for a wide variety of functions. Although they are very simple in design, several…

Shifting your Jeep from 4WD to 2WD is a simple process; but if you are traveling too fast or do not use the correct procedure, you will damage the gear sets and other internal parts inside the…

The Yamaha Bruin 250 is an ATV with a five-speed manual transmission. The Bruin 250 has two drive modes: forward and reverse. Shifting into reverse is helpful if you need to back up but do not have…

Repairing the clutch on a 1993 Ford Ranger pickup requires replacing the clutch disc, which is located under the bell housing of the transmission. It is necessary to remove the transmission to…

Manual transmissions are the preference for many Mustang enthusiasts. By having more control over shift points, the driver is capable of garnering the most out of the engine. Although a manual gearbox…

The 2003 Toyota Tacoma may feature either manual or automatic locking hubs. While manual locking hubs need to be engaged (locked) prior to switching into four-wheel drive, automatic locking hubs allow…

The Nissan Altima comes with a modest variety of factory-installed sound systems. While newer models have more features, iPod integration has become a desired option for many drivers. Connect your…

Like all motorcycles, Suzuki's production line features a sequential transmission controlled by a gear shift lever on the left side of the bike. Riders can only shift up or down one gear at a time.…

Driving a 2001 Chevrolet Corvette requires a bit more driving skill and attentiveness than the average car. The sensitive steering, sport suspension and wide tires means the car handles precisely.…

Learning to drive a five-speed can be tough. With practice, you should find success. Driving a manual vehicle has its benefits---many manual vehicles achieve better gas mileage than automatics.…

Most semi-trailers are equipped with multispeed manual transmissions. The selection of stock transmissions includes 10, 13 and 18 speeds. Driver preference and the type of hauling the truck is used…

Ford Rangers are versatile little trucks. They are convenient for moving small items of furniture and are able to fit in most compact parking spaces. The typical Ranger can come in either standard or…

Power shifting is a motorcycle riding technique that allows the rider to shift into a higher gear without the use of the clutch. When used on a race track, power shifting can help to maintain the…

As owners know, the Mazda Miata is praised for its fun-to-drive factor, reliability and simplicity. Your Miata (now officially known as the MX-5 Miata) is easy to work on, upgrade and modify. If your…

Installing an aftermarket shift knob is a popular modification that doesn't cost too much and is easy to do. A new shift knob made from carbon fiber, stainless steel or aluminum is a great way to…

Driving on slippery roads or loose surfaces with your Grand Vitara is easier when using the four-wheel drive system. The Suzuki system is controlled from the dash using a rotating shift knob and…

Using the four wheel drive feature in your Geo or Chevy Tracker can be convenient and will help you maintain control on slippery surfaces. The Tracker uses a three-speed transfer case that is shifted…

Learning how to shift gears to improve the gas mileage on your car can be difficult at first, but once you determine what methods work best, you can enjoy saving fuel and wear and tear on your car's…

The Jeep Wrangler is a classic sport-utility, primarily known for its off-road ability. Most Jeep Wranglers (all until 2008, when 2WD became optional) are equipped with 4WD. This does not mean that…

Chevrolet Aveo is equipped with a transmission hold feature if it has an automatic transmission. The hold feature overrides the automatic shifting process, allowing you to stay in one specific gear or…

The four-wheel-drive system in your Honda Pilot is useful for driving off-road or in inclement weather. Honda labels this system as the VTM-4, or Variable Torque Management 4WD system. The VTM-4…

Having four-wheel drive is quite helpful in traversing hazardous conditions such as snow or ice and is necessary in most off-road travel. Four-wheel-drive enthusiasts usually have added modifications…

The Subaru Tribeca Sportshift allows you to take manual control of the SUV and shift gears to gain more power and pep or help get you up/down a hill. Although it uses an automatic transmission, and…

Driving a large truck requires skill and practice. While some large, commercial, trucks require special licenses, other trucks can be driven by anyone with a regular Class C license. To drive trucks…

Learning how to drive a vehicle with a manual transmission can be intimidating. According to The Unofficial DMV Guide, knowing how to drive a stick shift is a good skill to have. Once you learn how…

There is a common saying in the motorcycle community that "anyone can ride a motorcycle at 100 miles per hour, but few can ride one at 10." While this saying has its merits, it is impossible to ride…

The shifter inside the passenger compartment of the vehicle is connected to the transaxle either directly, or through some sort of linkage, such as a cable. As it is shifted into its various…

A "short shifter," also commonly referred to as a "short shift kit," is car-enthusiast speak for a redesigned or modified mechanism that shortens the distance the gear shift must travel when shifting…

The 1999 Chevrolet Blazer 4WD uses a front independent suspension with rear live axle drive train setup, with a central transfer case mounted to the 4L60E transmission. Troubleshooting this system can…

Chevrolet pickup trucks have been produced by General Motors since 1918 and enjoy a neck-and-neck race in sales with the highly popular Ford F-Series. Although Chevy often came up short to Ford in…

A transmission is an important part of a vehicle's mechanical make-up. Responsible for allowing vehicle movement, a transmission, which is made up of a variety of interrelated parts and mechanisms,…

Mack trucks use transmissions made by several different manufacturers so truck buyers can more match the truck to the job. Trucks used by a specialized hauler of very heavy equipment, need a variety…

Clutch synchronizers are an important part of the clutch apparatus in an automobile that operates using a manual transmission. An automobile clutch is a device that enables the engaging or disengaging…

The control and elegance of a manual transmission are unparalleled. True driving means manually changing gears. Though a good clutch will last you years, the shift boot is another matter entirely. The…

All automatic transmissions have basically the same shift linkage on the transmission itself. The shift linkage between the cabin and the transmission varies between vehicles, but still has the same…

Clutches can be found in a variety of vehicles equipped with manual transmissions. The primary function of the clutch is to aid in shifting the gears while driving. There are four parts that need to…

Dirt bikes, unlike many other kinds of motorcycles, have a huge amount of torque, so shifting gears on them can be quite different for some. However, with the proper precautions, the process can be…

Never use overdrive when pulling trailers with a truck. Shift gears properly when towing a traler with tips from a custom car repairman in this free auto maintenance video.

When riding a motorcycle, grab and squeeze the clutch in order to safely navigate the gears. Learn more about motorcycle shifting from an experienced motorcyclist in this free sports bike video.

The 13-speed transmission has its critics, but most truckers who give it a chance end up loving it. The 13-speed transmission is based on typical five speed pattern found in cars. As you shift through…

Transmissions were developed in order to permit the gear ratio that exists between the vehicle engine and wheels to change when slowing down or speeding up. Gears have to be shifted in order to avoid…

The motorcycle gear shift lever is somewhat of a mystery to most people who have never ridden a bike. You can set this lever at a different height by loosening the bolt at the base of the lever and…

The Honda XR-400 is a wildly popular bike. This is because it performs well off and on road, and has a powerful four-stroke motor to back it up in any situation. If you have purchased one of these…

Driving a quad, ATV or motorcycle requires shifting gears to both accelerate and decelerate. First time riders can find engaging the clutch from a stop difficult and intimidating. Knowing a few simple…

Double clutching is a medium-difficulty driving technique that will improve the smoothness of your driving. The premise for double clutching is simple, but the execution of the driving technique can…

Shifting gears on a manual transmission is a delicate balance of knowing when to shift and how. If you do it wrong, it will be glowingly obvious. It is very rare that a car will die during a gear…

The Beach Boys know how fun it is to shift gears on a motor bike. They take great pleasure singing about shifting gears in their hit song, "Little Honda." First gear is alright, but if you can't shift…

In a manual transmission, the driver rather than the engine shifts the gears of the car. A driver knows when to shift gears based on the RPM or revolutions per minute of the engine. Shifting at a…

Driving on hilly roads does not seem to be very dangerous. Hills are not nearly as intimidating as mountains, but in some instances can be more hazardous. Hills can provide a fun driving experience,…

In case you've been through the single-player campaign enough times by yourself, try playing it with a friend! By linking up with someone over Live or simply at your console with a second controller,…

Shifting gears on a motorcycle is much more complicated than simply speeding up or slowing down smoothly. Accidents can happen if you downshift, turn, or start on hills incorrectly. Here are a few…