First off, I have owned manual transmission cars before. But I admit, no one ever taught me the proper way to shift. I walked into a car dealer in 1985, and bought a VW GTI with a manual transmission. I learned by doing. For all I know,I shift like everyone else. At least, no passenger has ever commented "Gee, you sure shift wierd".

I've owned manuals since, but last few cars have been auto, and I am looking forward to the pleasures of actually 'driving' a car again with my new Z.

But I am curious about downshifting through the gears when preparing to stop, and if this is something that shouldn't be done under most circumstances.

As I imagine the answers could be as varied as the individuals, let me set-up a scenario:

You are alone in your Z. There is no one around whom you are going to try and impress. You are doing 60mph, and approaching a stop sign. Let me clarify this further.... you are going to 'stop' at the stop sign.

Do you put the car in neutral, and coast/brake to the stop sign? Or do you downshift through the gears?

I think I got in the habit of downshifting through the gears. This probably stemmed from my early days learning to shift, as to throw the car into neutral could mean that if I wanted to accelerate before the stop, I'd have to make a guess as to what gear would be appropriate. Downshifting always get me in the correct gear for the moment.

But now I am thinking if maybe I was putting additional wear and tear on the clutch, when I should have been putting that wear on the brake pads, which are easier and less costly to replace.

What do you all do, and is there a defintive correct answer to the above scenario?

 

I guess I'll be the first one to jump in...

I usually coast in gear until the car slows and the rpm's are too low for the gear. Then I put it in Neutral, coast the rest of the way, and brake when I need to. I think I keep my hand on the shifter in case I need to accelerate, and just naturally pick the right gear (all my cars have been MT).

I don't generally downshift when slowing to a stop for the reason you mentioned, to avoid wear and tear on the engine, and use the brakes instead.

-Steve

 

brackethead, that's what i do too . . . hehe. sometimes i just coast in neutral and then use the brakes though.

 

If you want to improve your shifting techniques and your driving skills in general, I recommend starting out by picking up two books and practicing some of the principles they describe. These references are "Bob Bondurant on High Performance Driving" by Bob Bondurant and "Porsche High-Performance Driving Handbook" by Vic Elford. The second book is applicable to more than just Porsches.

These books contain techniques that are valuable for street driving as well as techniques useful on the track.

 

Well I will reply because I do the opposite. I downshift ALL the time. I do use the brake when downshifting in order to proceed to a lower gear smoothly. On occasion I will double clutch on a downshift into a curve or when driving spiritedly. I am not worried about the length of life I get out of my clutch or brakes. If you keep your cars long enough you will eventually have to replace them anyway if not the next person will. I think my methods have saved me a few times when there was a quick situation change. Needless to say if you "bark" your tires on downshifting you are serving no purpose at all.

 

As far as I know, if you rev-match every downshift, you cause no engine wear and less clutch wear then by coasting with the clutch in or by downshifting w/o rev-matching.

Rev-matched downshifts are fun with a good sounding engine, plus it saves your brakes from warping.

 

1st..why rev match? Is there any advantage to doing this? the goal for downshifting is to slow the car down no? If you are not using the engine to slow your car, and you are using just brakes, then you might as well just put the car in neutral.

Also, I think the most common problem with manual trannies is the synchro bearing. Correct me if I am wrong, but the synchro mesh is ALWAYS doing work if you down shift then up shift then etc.....the most common to go out is the third gear. This is a commonly used gear, and not downshifting will maybe prevent this common problem. The worst thing in the world is rebuilding the damn tranny!

 

By virtue of rev-matching the downshift, you're also preserving the stability of the vehicle (no jerky shifting), meaning you can corner further toward the envelope of adhesion without needing to worry about breaking traction when the shift upsets the balance of the car.

Also, when you rev-match, you can let out the clutch very quickly without any wierd jerk. And as I was taught its usually best to only keep the clutch-pedal depressed for the shortest period possible.If you leave the clutch in, you will prematurely wear the clutch pivot bearing. You don't want to do that, replacing the clutch can be very costly.

 

I always figured that the brakes would be much cheaper to replace than either the clutch, the tranny, or the engine.

Now, if you're going into a turn, rev-matched downshifting is a good thing to do. Will it affect you in everyday driving? Probably not, but if you weren't interested in knowing how to do it, you probably would be reading myBuickLeSabre.com instead of this forum. On the track, I'm sure it'd help.

 

Rev-matching doesn't wear out the clutch and it does save your brakes (thats why its called "engine-braking"). When you coast and let the brakes do all the work, you're going to have use more of the brakes to get the car to stop.

By just downshifting by easing out the clutch slowly you can sometimes cut the clutch's life in half. The person who taught me all this, has had cars that have had the same clutch for over 10 years.

P.S.
and rubens barrichello wasn't cheated, it was simply a team order, if shumacher loses at the end of the year by 3 points than barrichello would look like a fool

 

I do like what Dave is saying, I pretty much match the rpms. Most likely 60/40 for brakes/engine stopping power (brake first and then downshift). I do it to hear my pipes more than anything. I do not abuse my car when I do it. I learned from my father this way. I do not feel it is harming the engine at all. And if you take into consideration as someone said rpm x hours, a downshift (my downshift) rpms x hours is negligible.

 

Im a late braker. I heel-n-toe everytime. That means I sow down using the brakes, and shift for the fun of it.

Mark Sink

 

Even though you might think you can easily shift in to gear should the need arise, i'm willing to bet it will make the situation worse.

You should always have the car in gear whether is going around a corner or slowing for stop light.

Lets say that a car comes out of a driveway into your lane while your slowing for a traffic light. The speed that this happens is 35-40 mph. By not having the car in gear, you have to press the clutch, click into gear, depress the clucth and turn the steering away from the hazard. All the while you are shocked that the car came out so quickly.

Look, I'm trying to make show you that way is not the best for safety reasons. I'm not trying to flame you on your driving habits. I have been to many drving schools and I'm glad that i use this technique.

The only wear and tear you can do to the engine is if you over rev, or pop the clutch constantly.

 

I agree with brackethead and that exactly what I do except I get into neutral way before (say at 20-25 mph from the speed you mentioned).

The exception to above rule is when its is snowing or raining etc. At this situation, i use my gears to control the traction of car then brakes even though I got ABS.

 

I practice rev-matching and heel-toeing everytime I drive.

Rev-matching saves the clutch and makes full use of engine braking.

Heel-toeing is practically rev-matching which includes the assistance of the brakes.

 

Exactly.

 

Heel toeing takes practice and more practice. But once you can master that technique.....man it feels good!!

For a true automotive nut, heeling toeing is the only way to downshift. It gives the driver the most control and satisfaction.