How to make a gear shifter smoother?

To make the gear change smoother, let the gearshift pause for a moment as it crosses the central gate or neutral zone. Count a quick march time of one and two as you cross through ‘neutral to gear’ and you will find that this alone will make your gear changes smoother - there's no need to rush them. When changing gear, try to guide the gear lever with the knob placed in the palm of the hand. For all 1st or 2nd gear changes, turn your hand so that your palm is facing away from you with the thumb down most and guide the gear lever away from you - pushing the lever against the springs which self centre it. For 2nd to 3rd, 4th and 5th (or even 6th) guide the lever towards you with the thumb uppermost. As a check to see how smooth your gear changes are, take a peripheral glance at your front seat passenger's head. Are they constantly nodding forwards as you change gear? If so you need to make your gear changing smoother and less hurried. Your passengers (and transmission system!) will certainly appreciate it.

Take your time, take it step by step, and each change will automatically get smoother. Changing gear consists of several actions all taken in turn – lift off the throttle, depress the clutch, change gear, lift clutch, resume pressure on the throttle. When you rush, you’ll end up not making sure you push the gear smoothly into place, or you’ll start moving the gearstick before you’ve fully engaged the clutch. Be gentle, lightly press the clutch to engage it, don’t stamp on it. Similarly when you release it, do so smoothly, to prevent the car from lurching. You’ll make much smoother gear changes if you lighten up the pressure you apply on the pedals and the force with which you pull the gearstick. Always take a few moments and plan your gear change in advance. Knowing what your next gear change is going to be, whether it’s up or down, will give your mind a moment to plan exactly where the gear is in the gearbox. Just an extra moment’s thought can help you stop missing gears.