Come on, the trans is manual for a reason, to upshift and downshift...you're not gonna end up buying a new trans just b/c of downshifting you're more likely to buy one when shifting it crazy while racing, doing burnouts, etc...I think that's more of an issue of abuse to the trans than downshifting is. Just my thought..seems logical enough. I just like to downshift into 3rd to slow myself down..only one gear, it can't really be that bad

 

No offense, but kolia knows what he's talking about.

That's a very bold statement. Judging from your next statements, I'm willing to bet he knows more of what's in there than you do..... but that's just a hunch.

Incorrect. Leaving it in gear and engine braking alone uses no fuel. Rowing down through the gears requires repetative revmatches(to downshift properly), which you guessed it, requires FUEL. I really hope you're not one of these people who think it's ok to clutch brake (downshift without revmatching and using the clutch to deaccelerate). That will murder your clutch in a quickness. Engine braking also does not slow you down very quickly anyway.

Simple fact of the matter: Brake pads are cheap. Clutches are not. Fuel is not. Burning fuel and putting extra wear on your clutch for no reason will cost you more money in the long run than simply using your brakes for exactly the purpose they were designed, which you will end up having to use and replace anyway.

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That is not possible. The RPM must increase. For any given speed, the gear below will always be at higher RPM. That is undeniable. The only way you can get a smooth engagement without revmatching is if you are slipping the clutch (letting it out very slowly until things mesh up). You should really learn to downshift properly. If you're in fourth and want third, you need to blip the throttle before letting the clutch out in 3rd. Don't just go down to 3rd and slowly let the clutch out. That will kill your clutch.

 

I am speechless at the amount or threads on how to change gear. It's a fundamental of driving, I half expect a thread or two on how to steer or operate the hand brake.

 

It's a fundamental of driving and the large majority of people don't know how to do it properly.

Add something constructive or don't bother posting. I am speechless at the amount of WORTHLESS POSTS from people criticizing or ridiculing others.

 

he's talkin about rev-matching or heel-toe downshifting if u're stopping (stepping on the brake) and downshifting (heel-toe - toe on brake and heel on gas to rev-match)

doing this will make ur clutch work less and give ur clutch a longer life

and also i agree that if u're just coming to a dead stop, just step on the brake until ur engine's about to stall then pop into neutral. this way the only thing u're using up is the brake pad, not even gas since when u're in gear and not steppin on the gas u're wasting no gas at all. brake to a stop then pop into neutral when ur rpm's near idle is the most effecient way. even at idle the engine eats more gas then when ur foot is off the throttle when u're in gear.

no need to rev-match or double clutch or heel-toe downshift unless u're downshifting to accelerate at a lower speed after slowing down.

 

We're getting good at fighting these "battles"

paulsmansfield, funny you should mention the e-break usage.

When I was in Ireland, I was surprised to see the leather on the e-brake in the cabs where worn. Turns out they use it ALL the time. When ever the car is stopped, the e-brake goes on. At a red light, even at a stop, each time they inched forward and stopped…

That’s how they learn to do it… Weird huh?

Roast pretty much summed it up. Nothing to add on that.

 

I agree. We need a handbrake thread. Should be titled "Do you use the handbrake or chock the wheels."

 

man..making mountians outta mole hills.

 

Wow, such a simple concept and so much arguing...

You rev-match so you don't slip the clutch too much. As everyone (hopefully) knows, clutches wear when they are being slipped. If you don't rev-match, everytime you downshift, you have to slowly drag the clutch out so the RPM will rise slowly, that's not good for the clutch. When you rev-match, you can feed the clutch out much faster causing less wear.

 

ok well, ive been owned. and ive created a monster. i cant even explain what i was thinking about. i just need to get better at it... practicing is all i can do, from what it sounds

 

what the hell... whats the point of this? i downshift after i slow down and need to go into lower gears, let out of the clutch slowly while gas a lil just like how u go forward from a stop

 

i've been driving stick for years... i don't even understand what rev matching is lol

 

nothing more satisfying than a perfectly executed rev-match downshift

 

i downshift after i slow down and need to go into lower gears, let out of the clutch slowly while gas a lil just like how u go forward from a stop...

so am i doing this wrong?

 

From what I've read so far, seems we are both doing it wrong ihatepotholes.

Screw all this. Neutral + brakes ftw.

 

really... thats interesting, so all these years 90% of stick drivers and i've been driving the wrong way?

 

SighOh, just let rpm's drop to about 2k and clutch and downshift at same time. Then blip the gas enough to raise to 2k again and let the clutch out fast. It usually catches pretty well. If you have to aim towards revving it more over 2k than under 2k revs so syncros dont catch the gear. Let me know if you want me to re-explain. Hope that helps.

 

well... say im on a high way doin 60, all of the sudden the traffic slow down to 15, i'd slow down by breaking and then drop from 6 to 2, let out of the clutch slowly while gas a lil. it's a habit, i don't know whether skipping gears is bad or not... u guys are confusing me lol

 

^^^nah might as well not do them at all. Heel and toe is more for exiting corners at high speed. The quicker the better when going fast. Not practical at all. I just like practicing so I can get better at it. Plan on doing some autoxing soon.

 

that doesn't answer my question... is it skipping gears on a Z bad?