Definition

Noun: 1. The second forward gear in a standard transmission vehicle: This is the gear position that provides more power but lower speed than third gear, and less power but higher speed than first gear. It is typically used for starting on hills, driving at low speeds, or for increased engine braking.

Usage

• Second gear is used after starting from a complete stop in first gear to accelerate to a moderate speed.
• It is commonly used when driving up or down steep hills to maintain control and prevent engine strain.
• Drivers often shift into second gear when navigating sharp turns at low speeds.

Examples

• "The car struggled on the steep incline, so I dropped into second gear for more power."
• "When driving in the city, you frequently shift between first and second gear."
• "For engine braking on the descent, it's safer to use second gear."

Advanced Usage

• "To be in second gear": To be operating in this specific gear.
  • The tachometer reads high because we're still in second gear on the highway entrance ramp.
• "To shift/change into second gear": To move the gear lever to the second gear position.
  • Shift into second gear before making the turn.

Variants and Related Words

• Second (n., informal): A common shortened form of "second gear."
  • Put it in second for this hill.
• Low gear: A general term for first or second gear, used for high-torque, low-speed situations.

Synonyms

• Second: (as a noun, in the context of gears)
• Low gear: (when referring to the lower, more powerful gears collectively)

Related Phrases

• "To start in second gear": To begin moving from a stop using second gear instead of first, which can be harder on the clutch and transmission.
  • The car has enough torque to start in second gear on flat ground.

Noun

1. the gear that has the second lowest forward gear ratio in the gear box of a motor vehicle
   • he had to shift down into second to make the hill