What occurs when a five-speed transmission is in third gear?

When a five-speed transmission is in third gear, the operation of the synchronizers is crucial to understand. The third gear is engaged through the activation of the 3-4 synchronizer. This component plays a vital role as it helps to match the speeds of the gear and the shaft, ensuring a smooth engagement without grinding.

In addition to the engagement of the 3-4 synchronizer, the 1-2 synchronizer is also centered when in third gear. This centering action is necessary to prevent any interference between the gears and to ensure that the transmission operates smoothly through the next shifts without binding or causing damage.

Therefore, when you consider both the activation of the 3-4 synchronizer to engage third gear and the centering of the 1-2 synchronizer, it becomes clear that both events occur simultaneously, which aligns with the correct answer of both actions being true when the transmission is in third gear.