Yes, you can go from 5th to 1st gear, but doing it abruptly at high speeds is dangerous and damaging, causing engine over-revving and drivetrain shock; instead, gradually brake, shift down through gears (5-4-3-2-1) or to neutral, and only engage 1st gear when your speed is very low (around 5-10 mph) to avoid stalling or harming the transmission.
The sudden deceleration could lead to you hitting your head on the steering wheel or dashboard. Then there is the risk of the engine braking at high speed, which would damage both the gearbox and other essential components including the clutch and moon.
Never do that, in smaller cars you rather put it out of gear, to Neutral and brake softly until a gradual stop or just less than 20km/hr then engage 1st gear.
You can't shift directly from 5->R. 5 speeds by nature are relatively safe from that issue because there's no gear above 5th - you're only ever just nudging into neutral to downshift. (Nevertheless, there is usually some sort of interlock to prevent 5th-R money shifts in any modern 5 speed.)
As a general rule, never put the car in 1st gear unless you are at a complete stop. The synchronizer will spin up too fast and prematurely wear out. You don't need first gear unless you are starting from a full stop. I try to clutch in around 2k when slowing down.
The pawl is what locks the transmission and keeps it from transferring mechanical power to the wheels of your vehicle. Shifting gears while still in motion can damage this locking mechanism. And if this part fails, your vehicle could easily roll away.
If your manual car won't easily shift into first gear, it can be due to a clutch that doesn't completely release, a warped clutch disc, a pilot bearing that keeps the transmission input shaft rotating even with the clutch disengaged, or a problem with the 1-2 gear synchronizer.
Can I go from 5th to 2nd/1st? Yes it is recommended that in a modern manual transmission you can skip gears when going up or down. For example; when accelerating you can if required change-up from 1st to 3rd, though 3rd gear may labour due to low engine revs.
Starting to reverse
Ease the clutch out until you feel it 'bite' – hold it there to avoid stalling. Gently press on the accelerator and ease the clutch out the rest of the way. Keep your eyes high – look where you want to go, not just right out the back window.
As a driver when there is no need to accelerate, the overdrive function should be turned off. Also, when driving up a hill or downhill, the overdrive function may lose its effectiveness. When shifting to a lower gear, turn the overdrive feature off.
The first thing you do when downshifting is step all the way down on the clutch. Shift thoroughly so your shift can be smoother when you shift down. Make sure you only downshift if your rpm's are 5,500 or below that way you can get in the power band range.
5 Things That Will Kill Your Automatic Transmission Faster Than...
Good for speeds of up to 30 mph. While second gear is generally good for speeds of up to 20 mph, in some cars you may feel a strain if you try and drive in second gear past 16 mph or so.
Steer Gradually: Use your left hand to steer the car, remembering that the rear of the car moves opposite to the wheel's turn. Control Speed: Reverse slowly and steadily, using gentle pressure on the accelerator if needed, and adjust your speed with the brake.
The Rear Driver Is Usually at Fault
In most rear-end accidents, the rear driver is presumed to be at fault. This presumption is based on a basic traffic rule: every driver has a legal responsibility to maintain a safe following distance.
Try not to reverse or turn round in a busy road; find a quiet side road or drive round a block of side streets. Do not reverse from a side road into a main road. When using a driveway, reverse in and drive out if you can.
Fifth Gear: For increasing the speed above 40 miles per hour and for when you no longer want to increase the speed of the car.
The proper way to slow down your manual transmission-equipped car is to downshift.
Special conditions where you should downshift are:
6 Signs Of A Blown Transmission
A worn-out clutch, a faulty clutch master, or air in the hydraulic system can be the culprit that makes the clutch pedal lose its function. And that is also the reason why you have trouble when shifting into first gear. Sometimes the cause can come from the clutch fluid.
Gear shift replacement costs vary widely, from under $100 for a simple shift knob to potentially $1,000+ for complex cable or module replacements, with typical fixes like linkage bushings costing $10-$50, solenoid replacements $150-$400, and major cable/module jobs ranging from $300-$1000+, depending on labor rates, vehicle make/model, and if it's a DIY vs. professional job, says AutoGuru, Mega Car Wreckers, k1motors.com.au, and Reddit users.