shifter
n.a part of a machine or vehicle that you use to change gears. It is also a person or creature in stories that can change their physical shape.
n.a mechanism used to engage or disengage gears in a vehicle or machine; alternatively, a fictional being capable of metamorphosis. Often used in technical contexts regarding automotive transmissions or in speculative fiction.
“He moved the shifter into third gear as the car accelerated.”
“The mechanic noticed that the shifter was sticking, making it difficult for the driver to change gears smoothly.”
“In many urban fantasy novels, a shifter is a character who possesses the innate ability to transition between human and animal forms at will.”
In automotive contexts, 'shifter' is more common in American English, while 'gear lever' is preferred in British English.