Difference Between a 6 Speed Manual Transmission & a 5 Speed Manual Transmission
by Editorial Team
The most obvious difference between a 5-speed and a 6-speed manual transmission is the number of speeds: A 5-speed has five different gears and a 6-speed has six.
Common 5-speeds
Until very recently, most consumer automobiles mass-produced with manual transmissions tended to be 5-speeds. Only higher-end cars with more powerful engines and finer-crafter components tended to have 6-speeds.
Recent Developments
Since the late 1990s, cars that are not considered high-performance autos have largely been manufactured with 6 speeds. These are generally autos designed to be more energy efficient.
Efficiency
In recent 6-speeds, the extra speed from a 5-speed allows the engine to run at a lower RPM and save fuel, comparatively. This difference is most effective at highway driving speeds.
Shifting Differences
Whereas in a 5-speed, drivers are advised to accelerate above 25mph in fourth gear, in a 6-speed car, drivers are advised to accelerate above 35mph in fifth gear.
Getting the Feel
As manual shifting is a fairly intuitive skill set, there is no easy advice for a driver who is changing from a 5-speed car to a 6-speed. The driver just needs to develop a feel for the engine and be able to work out the changes for herself.
References
Writer Bio
This article was written by the CareerTrend team, copy edited and fact checked through a multi-point auditing system, in efforts to ensure our readers only receive the best information. To submit your questions or ideas, or to simply learn more about CareerTrend, contact us [here](http://careertrend.com/about-us).
