When people start to drive they sometimes find it hard to make sense of the gears.
This is a brief synopsis:
First gear – The most powerful, but slowest. Used for moving off, low speed clutch control and for manoeuvring.
Second gear – This gear is also powerful, but faster than first gear. It is useful for rapid acceleration and for driving at lower speed through some hazards.
Third gear – A faster gear, used for acceleration over 25km. Used for driving through some hazards.
Fourth gear – The most economical gear, with insufficient power for speeds of much lower than 50km. Used to provide progressive acceleration from about 50km and for cruising at constant speeds.
Fifth gear – Used as an aid for cruising at sustained higher speeds.