Question about downshifting

[Monkey muppet]

Originally posted by: Jzero

Originally posted by: Monkey muppet
it's called engine retardation when you match the revs during downshifting, whilst braking - when you back off the gas pedal the engine will help with your braking meaning you wont use your pads and disks as much, thus saving you money, it's part of an advanced driving technique, being smooth and causing the least about of abuse to the car.

<..not edited for the grammar police..>

That depends on your definition of "abuse to the car." Seeing as the brake pads and rotors are consumable items which are meant to be worn out and replaced every so often, while the engine is supposed to last the life of the car, it seems counterproductive to try to use the engine as a brake.

I wouldn't drop down two gears, I would match the speed to the gear; The smoothest way to do this is to match the revs with the speed during the shift. After the gear has been selected move foot to brake pedal and press whilst lifting off the gas - the difference in revs doing this will be 2-3k.

I am fairly sure a 2-3k difference in revs between the time you change gear and move foot to the brake isn't going to cause the engine any grief

 

[Monkey muppet]

Originally posted by: LS20
if you cant go into 1st while rolling, you need to double clutch (rev-match while gear stick in neutral)

Double-clutching is where you clutch in to neutral, lift, then clutch into gear

 

[LS20]

Originally posted by: Monkey muppet

Originally posted by: LS20
if you cant go into 1st while rolling, you need to double clutch (rev-match while gear stick in neutral)

Double-clutching is where you clutch in to neutral, lift, then clutch into gear

um, if you dont blip the throttle (to rev match), you might as well skip the entire thing because you arent doing anything to save wear on the syncros or dog teeth

 

[Monkey muppet]

Originally posted by: LS20

Originally posted by: Monkey muppet

Originally posted by: LS20
if you cant go into 1st while rolling, you need to double clutch (rev-match while gear stick in neutral)

Double-clutching is where you clutch in to neutral, lift, then clutch into gear

um, if you dont blip the throttle (to rev match), you might as well skip the entire thing because you arent doing anything to save wear on the syncros or dog teeth

I was being simplistic in my explanation - you would obvioulsy do as LS20 states otherwise there would be no point in either double-clutching or downshifting.

I've only driven one vehicle where double-shifting was required (during the upshift). It was a MKI landrover custom dual real axel. . 'Twas so slow that the gear you choose was the speed you went rather than the speed you go you chooses the gear to match.

To complete this, as I've mentioned earlier, brake the same time as you lift off the gas during deceleration. (very difficult to explain as I think it will comes during pratice).. Personnaly I've never driven an automatic as I see them as pointless, lazy and unskillfull

 

[RadioHead84]

I have been driving shift for a few years..and let me tell ya..i never wanna go back to auto. Anyway I think its ok to go from 4th to 2nd. I do it all the time. If i am going in 4th and a turn is coming up..ill brake a bit while slipping it into 2nd, letting it slow me down a bit more and making the turn.

I also have a hard time going into first. It wont let me unless i am going really really slow so i use 2nd a lot which isprob bad fro my car.